R.I.P. Hulk Hogan

[Sedat]

For us Gen Xers, Hogan bodyslamming Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania 3 was the biggest cultural moment in our formative years. As big a moment as JFK or Neil Armstrong for the boomers.

Hogan was a total game changer and revutionised TV sports entertainment, not just professional wrestling. He was also awesome as a heel when he defected to the WCW in the 90's, showcasing his versatility. And of course he was brilliant taking the mickey out of himself as Thunder Lips in Rocky 3

May he rest in peace.

[SonofScray]

Teared up a bit yesterday watching some highlight reels.

I loved wrestling for a long time, from my earliest memories right through to late teens. Hulkster was the pinnacle of the scene. Had the headband, singlet, shirt etc. Loved watching Rocky 3 because of his cameo, and even used to rent the terrible film ‘Suburban Commando’ every school holidays in the early 90s.

when WWF came to Australia for their first big show in the early 2000s he was supposed to be on the card but it was Lesnar and HHH and the Rock instead. There was a pre show fan expo at Crown. I went in my Hulk Hogan get up, got called into the ring with Disco Inferno and cut a promo on the spot in front of about 300 fans.

I remember it verbatim because it was filmed on a potato.Would have been 16 or so.

“well you know what Disco, brother, you better have taken your vitamins and said your prayers, because you are in the home of the Hulkster Down Under now brother. And when you are with the Hulkamaniacs in MELBOURNE, there’s only time for one question.”

crowd pop. WHAT.?

”what you gunna do, brother. WHAT YOU GUNNA DO. When the hulkamaniacs run wild over you!”

big reaction from the fans, they gave me the belt and a prize pack.


I think his death probably hurts a bit because it’s a reminder that time waits for no one and those fond childhood memories in time give way to bit of grief as people pass on, or you let go off stuff.

[Sedat]

Brilliant memories SoS. That's such an awesome story

Like you, I ate up the WWF with a spoon throughout the 80's. Thuesday nights at 9.30pm was compulsive viewing every week. I could (and still do) watch old WWF promos on YouTube for hours. Guys like Hulk, Macho Man, Sheik, Piper, Orndorf, Jesse the Body, Flair and so many others were absolute pros when it came to cutting promos, usually with Mean Gene performing the straight man role.

I feel very lucky to have grown up in that era.

[SonofScray]

Brilliant memories SoS. That's such an awesome story

Like you, I ate up the WWF with a spoon throughout the 80's. Thuesday nights at 9.30pm was compulsive viewing every week. I could (and still do) watch old WWF promos on YouTube for hours. Guys like Hulk, Macho Man, Sheik, Piper, Orndorf, Jesse the Body, Flair and so many others were absolute pros when it came to cutting promos, usually with Mean Gene performing the straight man role.

I feel very lucky to have grown up in that era.

Their whole PPV back catalogue is on Netflix now. My wife and I have been watching the Royal Rumble from the original through to late 90s one a week for a few months.

theres nothing quite like the Big Man’s Ballet back in the day.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Yeah this shocked me too. I was a huge WWF fan back in the 90s and early 00s.

Hollywood Hogan is one of the best gimmicks ever. Period.

Controversial figure both in and out of the ring but everybody knows who Hulk Hogan is. Just feels surreal that he's passed. He was larger than life at one stage.

Saw Kevin Nash post that 'another brother is gone', alongside a photo with Hogan and Hall. Made me wish I was a kid again watching them.

Haven't watched wrestling for a long, long time but it was never the same post the Attitude era.

[jeemak]

I think I saw him sitting at a mid-mountain eatery at Aspen Mountain......or a dead ringer. Didn't have the balls to go up to him given the "Aspen rules" around celebrities.

Just another entertainer who had his non-entertainment issues and was probably a piece of shit off screen......stick around long enough and they all let you down (just ask Dave Grohl.......).

[Bornadog]

I think I saw him sitting at a mid-mountain eatery at Aspen Mountain......or a dead ringer. Didn't have the balls to go up to him given the "Aspen rules" around celebrities.

Just another entertainer who had his non-entertainment issues and was probably a piece of shit off screen......stick around long enough and they all let you down (just ask Dave Grohl.......).

Good mates with Trump

[Happy Days]

Complicated guy but you can never take Wrestlemania 18 away from 9 year old me. RIP brother

[Mantis]

For us Gen Xers, Hogan bodyslamming Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania 3 was the biggest cultural moment in our formative years. As big a moment as JFK or Neil Armstrong for the boomers.

Hogan was a total game changer and revutionised TV sports entertainment, not just professional wrestling. He was also awesome as a heel when he defected to the WCW in the 90's, showcasing his versatility. And of course he was brilliant taking the mickey out of himself as Thunder Lips in Rocky 3

May he rest in peace.

If my memory serves me correctly Wrestlemania was shown on Ch 10 at about 11pm on the Friday night the week after it was held.

At that time 10yo old me was on a mini-bus with our ''footy crew'' (about 25 in total) to Sydney and the discussion with 3-4 other boys who were a couple of years older than me was about missing out on WrestleMania. We got absolutely smoked by Sydney and the bus trip home on the Monday was long & suffering... the only thing that got me through it was the hope that my ability to pre-record WrestleMania had worked. As soon as I was in the door it was straight to the TV and then hit the FF to reach the main event. As you mention the body slam was enthralling and I was buzzing.

He was the main man... RIP.