Hulk Hogan: Remembering a Wrestling Legend

Although many will remember his WWE infamy, Hogan was more than just a wrestler; he was a cultural phenomenon. From packed arenas to Saturday morning cartoons, Hogan helped turn professional wrestling into a marketable global spectacle, all while inspiring a generation.

Behind the red and yellow was a man with a legacy as bold as it is complicated. As fans around the world reflect, we at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! are taking a look back at the unbelievable life of the Hulkster.

He helped create WrestleMania as we know it.

Without Hulk Hogan, there might not be a WrestleMania .

In 1985, Hogan headlined the very first edition of WWE’s biggest show of the year, helping to launch it into pop-culture orbit. His matches became can’t-miss moments, including his legendary bodyslam of André the Giant at WrestleMania III in front of 93,000 screaming fans.

Believe It or Not!, he wasn’t just winning matches; he was rewriting entertainment history.

From body slams to big screens.

Before there was Hulkamania, Hogan was known as Thunderlips.

In 1982, Hogan appeared alongside Sylvester Stallone in Rocky III as the over-the-top wrestler who gave Rocky Balboa a real challenge. It was the perfect preview of the larger-than-life persona Hogan would eventually take on.

That's not all, though; Hogan made his way to Hollywood with roles in Mr. Nanny , Suburban Commando , and even had his own animated series.

He was like a real-life superhero.

With a blonde handlebar mustache and a growling voice, Hogan was tailor-made for TV.

Kids couldn’t get enough of Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling , and his appearances on talk shows, commercials, and more made him one of the most recognizable faces in America.

Hulk Hogan became the blueprint for acts like Dwayne " The Rock" Johnson that would come after his reign.

His look was straight out of a comic book.

Bandana. Shades. Ripped T-shirts. His huge biceps, or as he referred to them, his "24-inch pythons."

Hogan’s look was iconic. His image became inseparable from pop culture and actually helped turn wrestling into more than just a sport.

Hogan was an integral part in making WWE a part of pop culture, all while becoming an entertainment spectacle that drove television ratings!

His legacy is complicated but undeniable.

Hogan’s life wasn’t without controversy.

Over the years, headlines followed him both inside and outside the ring, casting a shadow over some of his career highlights. But even with those setbacks, there’s no denying that he changed the landscape of professional wrestling and became the face of an entire era.

Ripley’s remembers the man behind the mustache.

Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame not once, but twice! First as a solo superstar in 2005, and again in 2020 as part of the New World Order.

Hulk Hogan once asked, “ Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”

Now, decades later, the world has its answer: We remember! And we acknowledge the impact the Hulkster had on sports and pop culture.

“Whatever happens with wrestling, my family comes first. Wrestling's in my blood, but my family's in my heart.”
— Hulk Hogan

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