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Hulk Hogan

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Terry Gene Bollea
BornAugust 11 1953
Augusta, Georgia
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)The Super Destroyer
Sterling Golden
Terry Boulder
Hulk Hogan
Hulk Machine
Hollywood Hogan
Mr. America
Billed height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Billed weight275 lb (127 kg)
Billed fromVenice Beach, California
Trained byHiro Matsuda
DebutAugust 19 1977

Hulk Hogan (born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11 1953), is an American professional wrestler, entertainer, actor and TV star. He is one of the most successful and popular professional wrestlers in history, with a large, long standing fanbase called "Hulkamaniacs". He currently stars on the VH1 reality show Hogan Knows Best.

Career

Born in Augusta, Georgia, Hogan was the third child of Italian American Pete Bollea, and Ruth Bollea, who is of French, Italian and Panamanian descent. Early in life, Terry Bollea was a standout in minor league baseball and also spent ten years playing bass guitar in several Florida-based rock bands, including Ruckus and Infinity's End. Many of the wrestlers who competed in the Florida territory at that time would visit the bars in which Bollea was performing.

Bollea's impressive physical stature soon caught the attention of former top-drawing wrestler Jack Brisco and his brother Gerald, both of whom convinced Bollea to give wrestling a try. Bollea had been a wrestling fan since childhood and was eager to give it a chance. He trained for nearly two years under the watchful eye of Hiro Matsuda, a hard-nosed taskmaster who casually (and to instill respect, purposefully) broke Bollea's leg during their first training session.

Bollea wrestled his first professional match in Tallahassee, Florida on August 19, 1977 as The Super Destroyer, wrestling B. Brian Blair. Terry also used other ring names early in his career, including Terry "The Hulk" Boulder and Sterling Golden. In those formative years, Bollea would go on to win his first wrestling championships, the National Wrestling Alliance Southeastern Heavyweight Championships recognized in Alabama and Tennessee, respectively. Bollea even had an early shot at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, with its holder generally recognized as the industry's #1 wrestler, in January 1979, facing NWA kingpin Harley Race.

World Wrestling Federation

On November 13, 1979, Bollea made his debut in the World Wrestling Federation as a heel and was given the name "The Incredible" Hulk Hogan by Vincent James McMahon, then the majority owner of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (at the time, the parent company of the Federation). In his debut, Hogan wrestled three matches in Allentown, Pennsylvania during one of the Federation's marathon television tapings. Hogan was victorious in all three bouts, squashing Harry Valdez in the first match, Paul Figueroa in the second, and Ben Ortiz in the third. One month later on December 17, Hogan made his Madison Square Garden wrestling debut, defeating Ted DiBiase in 11 minutes, 12 seconds.

The later, official explanation for the "Hulk Hogan" moniker was that many considered Bollea to be physically bigger than Lou Ferrigno, who at the time was starring in the popular TV series The Incredible Hulk. McMahon also wanted him to be a tough, working-man brawler with a possible Irish background at the same time, thus the name "Hogan." A deal was later struck with Marvel Comics to use the "Hulk" name. In February 2005, Bollea himself purchased the rights to the name "Hulk Hogan" shortly after a copyright dispute between Marvel and World Wrestling Entertainment prevented Bollea from being called Hulk Hogan in rebroadcasts of his matches.

Hogan started out in the WWF as an arrogant heel, clad in a golden cape and managed by "Classy" Freddie Blassie. Hogan feuded with then-WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund, "Mr. U.S.A." Tony Atlas, and André the Giant. His feud with André culminated in a match at Shea Stadium on August 9, 1980 in front of 36,295 fans, popularly called the Showdown at Shea.

In 1981, Sylvester Stallone personally offered him a part in the movie Rocky III. Industry etiquette demanded that he first ask for his boss's (Vincent J. McMahon) permission. McMahon, unlike his son (and future owner of the WWE) Vincent K. McMahon said no, believing that pro wrestlers should be pro wrestlers and never become actors. However, Hogan took the part anyway, expecting the role to dramatically increase his profile and earning potential. McMahon fired Hogan, who would not appear with the company again for several years.

American Wrestling Association

After filming his scene for Rocky III, Hogan made his debut in the Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association, owned and promoted by Verne Gagne. Hogan started his AWA run as a heel, taking on "Luscious" Johnny Valiant as his manager, but AWA audiences loved the muscular Hogan, and soon AWA bookers were compelled to turn Hogan face.

Hogan quickly became the AWA's top draw and feuded with world champion Nick Bockwinkel, but owner Gagne, a former college wrestler who emphasized mat skills over showmanship, was reluctant to give Hogan a run with the belt. On two different occasions, Hogan had been scripted to win the AWA Championship from heel champion Nick Bockwinkel and have it revert back to Bockwinkel by contrived technicalities (known as a Dusty finish). This was a common plot device, used to milk audience anticipation that the face would topple the heel "next time." But this time, the crowd reaction was so furious that only Bollea's pleas (on the PA system, in character as Hogan) kept them from rioting. Hogan, for his part, grew frustrated with the AWA's backstage politics over the world title, and was upset with promoter Verne Gagne's demands for a percentage of his Japanese earnings in exchange for the AWA Championship.

Over twenty years later, just prior to Hulk Hogan's WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2005, the AWA relented and acknowledged the legitimacy of Hogan's two title wins over Nick Bockwinkel, making him a two-time AWA champion. [1] There may be some deeper story in this, for the very next year, Verne Gagne, promoter of the AWA, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

New Japan Pro Wrestling

During this period of Hogan's career, he was not competing strictly under the AWA (or any) banner. A great deal of Hogan's early success was achieved in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Japanese wrestling fans were in awe of the gargantuan blond American, and nicknamed him "Ichiban" (which translates to "Number One"). Hogan first appeared in Japan on May 13, 1980, while he was still with the WWF. He would tour the country from time to time over the next few years, facing a wide variety of opponents ranging from Tatsumi Fujinami to Abdullah the Butcher. When competing in Japan, Hogan used a vastly different repertoire of wrestling moves, relying on more "scientific" (i.e., technical, more amateur style-seeming) looking traditional wrestling holds and maneuvers as opposed to the power-based (feats of strength), brawling style U.S. fans were accustomed to seeing from him. Another difference is that Hogan uses a running forearm lariat (Called the "Axe Bomber") as his finisher in Japan as opposed to the running leg drop mostly associated with Hogan in America.

On June 2, 1983, Hogan became the first International Wrestling Grand Prix tournament winner, defeating Japanese wrestling icon Antonio Inoki by knockout in the finals of a 10-man tournament featuring top talent from throughout the world. Hogan and Inoki also worked as partners in Japan, winning the prestigious MSG Tag League tournament two years in a row, in 1982 and 1983. Also Hogan's popularity in Japan was so great, he even recorded an album there - a forerunner to the World Wrestling Federation's "Rock' n' Wrestlin' Connection" of the mid-'80's.

World Wrestling Federation

By 1983, Vince K. McMahon had bought the World Wrestling Federation from his father, with a goal of turning the WWF into a nationwide company, using Hogan's charisma, body, and name power as the top draw. Hogan made a dramatic return to the WWF at a TV taping on January 3, 1984, saving Bob Backlund from a three-on-one assault. Hogan's turn was explained simply by Backlund: "Hulk used to be bad, but now he's good." The storyline shortcut was necessary, because less than three weeks later, on January 23, Hogan won the WWF Championship, pinning The Iron Sheik in New York's Madison Square Garden [2]. He became the first ever Southern-born WWF Champion in history. In Hogan's autobiography, he says that The Iron Sheik told him that Verne Gagne had offered $100,000 for breaking Hogan's leg in their title bout, but that he correctly saw the potential for making millions working with Hogan and refused.

This title victory caused "Hulkamania" to sweep the WWF, as Hogan's popularity soared. He would frequently refer to his fans as "Hulkamaniacs" in his interviews, and would go on to introduce his three "demandments": training, saying your prayers, and eating your vitamins. Eventually, a fourth demandment (believing in yourself) would be added following his feud with Earthquake. The vitamins demandment has been parodied to mean steroids in recent years due to Vince McMahon's problems with a steroid trial in the early '90s.

Hogan would remain WWF Champion for four years and 13 days (no wrestler has held the WWF Championship for longer than one year since Hogan's first title reign), overcoming such challengers as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Andre the Giant, Paul Orndorff, and King Kong Bundy, drawing record houses, PPV buyrates and TV ratings in the process. He co-hosted Saturday Night Live on March 30, 1985 and even had his own CBS Saturday morning cartoon during this lucrative run, titled Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n Wrestling.

On March 31, 1985, the inaugural WrestleMania took place at Madison Square Garden, featuring Hogan in a tag team main event, with Mr. T his partner. Hogan would go on to headline seven of the first eight WrestleManias, from 1985-1992. In addition, Hogan made an appearance at WrestleMania IX, first to tag with longtime friend Brutus Beefcake against Money, Inc. and later in the evening win the WWF Championship from Yokozuna to once again become the WWF Champion. Hulk Hogan would not again appear in the event until WrestleMania X8, losing to The Rock in what was dubbed an Icon vs. Icon match. WrestleMania XIX featured Hulk Hogan defeating Vince McMahon.

In the fall of 1986, Hogan occasionally wrestled in tag matches with The Machines as Hulk Machine[3] under a mask copied from New Japan Pro Wrestling character "Super Strong Machine."[4]

A new storyline was introduced in early 1987: Hogan was presented a trophy for being the WWF Champion for three years. André the Giant, a good friend (who was seen pouring champagne over him in the Madison Square Garden locker room in the interview scene following his title win) came out to congratulate him. Shortly afterwards, André was presented a slightly smaller trophy for being "undefeated in the WWF for 15 years." In actuality, André had suffered a handful of countout and disqualification losses in the WWF, but had never been pinned or forced to submit in a WWF ring. Hogan came out to congratulate André, but André walked out in the midst of Hogan's speech. Then, on an edition of Piper's Pit, Hogan was confronted by Bobby Heenan. Heenan announced that his new protégé was André. André then challenged Hogan to a title match at WrestleMania III, ripping the t-shirt and crucifix off Hogan.

WrestleMania III, held on March 29, 1987 at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, an announced audience of 93,173, witnessed Hogan successfully defend the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against André the Giant. The actual number of fans that attended WrestleMania III is not known, and many speculate that the number presented by the WWE is greatly inflated. The match would become the most famous of Hogan's career, and is often regarded as the biggest match in the history of the business, one which saw Hogan bodyslam the 520-pound Frenchman before pinning his shoulders to the mat. The match was considered as being a "passing of the torch" between one of the biggest stars in wrestling of the 1970's, André, and the biggest star in wrestling of the 1980's, Hogan. Years later, Hogan stated that André was so heavy, he felt more like 700 pounds. He also proclaimed that in lifting the super heavyweight, he tore a shoulder muscle, which causes one side of his back to be visibly smaller than the other.

Hogan lost the belt in extremely controversial fashion to André on NBC's "The Main Event" on February 5, 1988, thanks to a convoluted scam involving "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and "evil" twin referee Earl Hebner (in place of the match's appointed arbiter, his twin brother Dave Hebner). After André delivered a belly-to-belly suplex on Hogan, Hebner three-counted Hogan while his left shoulder was clearly off the mat. After the match, André handed the title over to DiBiase to complete their storyline business deal. As a result, the WWF Championship was vacated for the first time in its 25-year history, and all this in turn led to Hogan's on/off friend Randy Savage taking the vacant title in a tournament at WrestleMania IV a month later.

Note: The live primetime NBC broadcast of The Main Event on February 5, 1988 was the highest rated television show in American professional wrestling history, with a 15.2 rating. The Hogan-Andre rematch from February 5, 1988 can be found on the History Of The WWE Championship DVD.

Together, Hogan, Savage, and manager Miss Elizabeth formed a partnership known as The Mega Powers. The Macho Man Randy Savage played an instrumental role in Hogan's character development. However, the Mega-Powers would soon implode from within, due to Savage's burgeoning jealousy of Hogan and his paranoid suspicions that Hogan and Elizabeth were "more than friends." A feud between Hogan and Savage began, which culminated in Hogan beating Savage for his second WWF Championship at WrestleMania V on April 2, 1989. Hulk Hogan earned $1.8 million for his match against "Macho Man" Randy Savage at WrestleMania V[citation needed].

Hogan's second run lasted a year, during which time he starred in his first movie, No Holds Barred. The movie was the inspiration of a feud with Hogan's co-star in "No Holds Barred," Tiny Lister, Jr., who appeared at wrestling events as his movie character, Zeus. Zeus was a monster heel who was "jealous" over Hogan's higher billing and now wanted revenge. However, Hogan was easily able to defeat Zeus in a series of matches across the country during late 1989, beginning with a tag team match at SummerSlam.

Also during his second run, Hogan won the 1990 Royal Rumble Match, last eliminating Mr. Perfect. He dropped the title to Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior on April 1, 1990 at WrestleMania VI. It was the first time in over seven years that Hogan suffered an uncontroversial pinfall defeat. That title match was notable in that the two wrestlers were both faces, and Hogan graciously handed Warrior the belt and shook his hand at the conclusion of the match, remembered as one of the most sportsmanlike displays in WWF history.

Hogan soon became embroiled in a heated feud with the 468-pound Earthquake, a mountain of a man who gained infamy by crushing Hogan's ribs in a sneak attack on "The Brother Love Show" in May 1990. On TV, announcers explained that Hogan was depressed over his injuries and his WrestleMania VI loss to The Ultimate Warrior and both took such a huge toll on his fighting spirit that he wanted to retire. Viewers were asked to write letters to Hogan and send postcards asking for his return (they got a postcard-sized picture in return, autographed by Hogan, as a "thank you"). Hogan returned by SummerSlam 1990 and dominated Earthquake in a months-long series of matches across the country. His defeat of this overwhelmingly large foe would cause Hogan to add a fourth demandment: believing in yourself. His name also changed: The Immortal Hulk Hogan. In his AWA/WWWF days his name was The Incredible Hulk Hogan.

On March 24 1991, Hogan stood up for the USA against Iraqi-sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter, outwitting him for his third WWF Championship at WrestleMania VII. Hogan lost the title to The Undertaker at the Survivor Series on November 27, 1991, in an infamous bout marred by interference from Ric Flair. Just six days later, Hogan regained the title in a match held on a special pay-per-view named Tuesday in Texas, but due to the controversy surrounding both matches, the title was again declared vacant.

In the 1992 Royal Rumble, Hogan was eliminated by storyline friend Sid Justice and failed to regain the championship. In the ensuing five months, Hulk Hogan announced he was contemplating retirement from wrestling and would 'bow out' after his match against Sid at WrestleMania VIII on April 5, 1992. Hogan eventually won the match via disqualification due to interference by Sid's manager Harvey Whippleman. Hogan then was attacked by Papa Shango, who actually was supposed to cause the DQ but was late, and was saved by the returning Ultimate Warrior.

Hogan returned to the WWF in January 1993, helping out his friend Brutus Beefcake in his feud with Money Inc.. Hogan scooped his fifth WWF Title on April 4 of that year, overcoming Yokozuna in an impromptu bout at WrestleMania IX only moments after Yokozuna's defeat of Bret Hart. At this point, everything was looking good for Hogan; he had the World Wrestling Federation Championship once again and it seemed like Hulkamania was back. However, this was not the case at all.

At the first annual King of the Ring pay per view, Hogan defended the championship against the former champion, Yokozuna. It was Hogan's first title defense since he first defeated Yokozuna at WrestleMania IX. During the course of the match, Yokozuna amazingly kicked out of Hogan's signature leg drop. The hard-fought bout came to its close when a "Japanese photographer" (actually a disguised Harvey Whippleman) got on the apron and distracted Hogan, before shooting some sort of fireball out of the camera and into Hogan's face. This was followed by Yokozuna hitting a leg drop on Hogan for the pin. After his victory, Yokozuna proceeded to give Hogan a Banzai drop amidst the crying children and cursing adults. As Yokozuna celebrated, Hogan was helped back to the locker room by ringside officials, as he clutched his face. Hulkamania had seemingly taken its final breath.

Hogan departed the WWF two months later after a series of bouts against Yokozuna on the Hulkamania European tour. An impending steroid scandal led to Vince McMahon deciding to phase out large, muscular wrestlers such as Hogan and give the top spots to smaller, more technically sound wrestlers such as Bret Hart. After Hogan left the WWF, he decided to concentrate on movies and TV and take time off from professional wrestling.

World Championship Wrestling

In June 1994, Hogan was expensively lured back to the ring by Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling, which was the WWF's main competitor at the time. When Hogan signed with WCW, officials (namely, Eric Bischoff, who convinced Hogan to join WCW in the first place) hoped that they could relive the glory days of Hulkamania, but everyone involved also knew it would be tough to convince many loyal, old-school WCW fans of Hogan's worth, particularly the southern fans that were traditionally anti-WWF. Hogan was also at this time given absolute creative control over his onscreen character. Hulk Hogan's contract signing on June 11 was held at Disney World in Orlando, following a red-and-yellow ticker tape parade.

Hogan won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in his debut match, overcoming Ric Flair in a genuine 'dream' match on July 17. After tussling with Flair, Vader, and the Dungeon of Doom for the next eighteen months, Hogan dropped the belt and began to only appear occasionally on WCW shows. WCW fans were clamoring for younger, more exciting international stars such as Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero and were growing tired of seeing Hogan's "red-and-yellow good guy" persona they had seen for ten years in the WWF. This led to one of the most talked about moments in wrestling history in the summer of 1996.

The buildup to this began when Scott Hall and Kevin Nash both left the WWF in early 1996 and returned to their old employer, WCW. They were portrayed as "Outsiders" and quickly announced their intent to "take over" WCW, with the help of an unnamed third member of their team (initially rumored to be either Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, or Sting). At the Bash At The Beach PPV held at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, FL on July 7, 1996, Hall, Nash and their partner were scheduled to face the WCW trio of Sting, Randy Savage, and Lex Luger. The third partner did not begin the match, and, after Luger left the match due to an injury, some assumed that he would be the "third man."

After Luger was taken out, Hall and Nash began to beat on Savage, neutralizing him on the outside and leaving Sting alone in the ring. Almost immediately afterwards, Hogan came to the ring, making his first appearance in several weeks.

Many expected him to replace Luger and attack Hall and Nash. However, in one of the most shocking moments in wrestling history, Hogan leg dropped Randy Savage and declared himself to be Hall and Nash's partner, with the trio comprising what Hogan dubbed the New World Order of professional wrestling. The aftermath had fans littering the ring with garbage, with one jumping the rail in an attempt to attack Hogan, and Hogan cutting an interview with an angry (kayfabe) Gene Okerlund.

In the interview, Hogan further cemented his heel turn, claiming that he made WWF, that he had become bored with his character as it was, and that from then on he was in it for himself. He also said that he was tired of the fans' dumping on him after all he'd done for them, and that it was because of him that he and the rest of the fans - and for that matter, all the wrestlers - were there that night. He then declared that he, Hall, and Nash were going to take over WCW and destroy everything in their path. The interview was regarded as being one of the most important in wrestling history, and Okerlund later stated that the audience was so furious, he got a bloody nose from being hit by a beer can thrown in the ring.

File:967c.jpg
Hollywood Hogan as a member of the New World Order.

Hogan soon dyed his beard black and renamed himself Hollywood Hogan. Hogan managed to redefine the heel character: rather than the traditional "bad guy" Hollywood Hogan gave birth to a more realistic, street-smart villain, with none of the usual wrestling gimmicks and devices. Some have placed Hollywood Hogan as one of the best and most effective heels in pro wrestling history.

After defeating The Giant at Hog Wild on August 10, 1996 by hitting him with the WCW title belt, Hogan held the WCW World Heavyweight Championship for most of 1997, save for a several day reign by Luger. He would spray paint black letters "NWO" across the title belt as well and scribble across the nameplate. During this period, Hogan grappled with Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, and many more. The ever-expanding nWo gang concurrently became the hottest concept in wrestling, too, helping WCW to achieve 83 straight Monday night ratings victories over the WWF. The black-and-white nWo T-shirt also became one of the highest-selling pieces of wrestling merchandise ever during 1997.

Hogan then lost the belt to Sting in a hugely-hyped, eighteen-months-in-the-making match at StarrCade in December 1997. The event was also the highest-drawing PPV in WCW's history. Wrestling fans and pundits were disappointed in "The match of the decade" because match length and ending didn't justify the buildup. It was decided that Hogan would beat Sting after an alleged "fast count" by referee Nick Patrick. WCW's newly contracted Bret Hart would accuse Patrick and have the match restarted with Sting winning by submission. This finish was executed at StarrCade, and after a rematch the following night on WCW Monday Nitro, the title became vacant. Hogan and Sting would wrestle again at SuperBrawl in February 1998, with Sting coming out victorious.

After this, Hogan developed a rivalry with former friend (and recent nWo recruit) Randy Savage. The heat culminated into a steel cage match at Uncensored, which ended in a no contest. Savage would take the world championship from Sting at Spring Stampede in March, while Hogan's match at Stampede had him and Kevin Nash taking on Roddy Piper and the Giant in the first-ever Bat match. Marking the breakup of the original nWo, Hogan would betray Nash by hitting him with the bat and then challenged Savage the following night for his championship. This no disqualification match included two crucial points of interference: The first came from Kevin Nash, who entered the ring and powerbombed Hogan. The second came from Bret Hart, who turned heel that night by jumping in after Nash to attack Savage and preserve the victory for Hogan, who regained the WCW Championship.

Hogan defended the title until July of that year, when WCW booked him in a match against fast rising newcomer Bill Goldberg, who had yet to lose a match in the company. Hogan dominated most of the match, but became cocky toward the end as he continued to legdrop the challenger. Eventually, his luck ran out, and Goldberg was able to take control. After a final bit of interference by Curt Hennig was thwarted by Karl Malone at ringside, Goldberg was able to spear and jackhammer Hogan, and pinned him to gain his first-ever WCW World Heavyweight Championship.

The rest 1998 Hogan spent wrestling celebrity matches with buddies. His second tag team match with Dennis Rodman pit them against Diamond Dallas Page and Karl Malone at Bash at the Beach 1998, and at Road Wild '98, he and Bischoff lost to Page and Jay Leno. Hogan also had a highly hyped rematch with Ultimate Warrior (then, known simply as "Warrior") at Halloween Havoc, where his newly revealed nephew Horace would aid his victory.

On the Thanksgiving episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Hogan officially announced his retirement from professional wrestling as well as his candidacy for president of the United States. The campaign had footage aired on Nitro of Hogan and Bischoff holding a press conference, making it appear legit. In the long run, however, both announcements were false and merely done as a publicity stunt attempting to draw some of the hype of Jesse Ventura's Minnesota gubernatorial win back to him.

After some time off from WCW, a still "retired" Hogan returned to Nitro to challenge Kevin Nash for the WCW title. He controversially regained the WCW title in what would later be dubbed the Fingerpoke of Doom. This reformed the previously broken up nWo branches - nWo Hollywood and nWo Wolfpac - which began feuding with Bill Goldberg and a ruthless Four Horsemen.

He was soon cheated out of the WCW Championship to Ric Flair at Uncensored 1999 in a steel cage, first blood match. Strangely enough, a heavily bleeding Flair would win via pinfall thanks to biased referee Charles Robinson. During that match, however, Hogan began to show some signs that a face turn was imminent, showing off some old tactics like his "Hulking up," no-sell.

Hogan would wrestle the following month in one more world title match, facing Flair, Sting, and Diamond Dallas Page in a fatal four way match. Page ended up on top, winning his first ever world championship, and Hogan would be carried out of the ring injured and disappear for several months.

On July 12, 1999, Hogan made his grand return as a full fledged face and accepted a challenge from Savage (who had gained the world title at Bash at the Beach the night before). Thanks to interference from Nash (who had lost to Savage), Hogan became champion again. Gaining fan support, however, his nWo look would gradually recede through the shaving of his black beard and the removal of the red "NWO" from his title belt.

On August 9, 1999, he started the night dressed in the typical black and white, but after a backstage scene with his son, Hogan came out dressed in the traditional red and yellow for his main-event 6-man tag team match. Injuries and frustrations were mounting up however, and he was soon absent from TV from October 1999 to February 2000. In his book Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Bollea said that he was asked to take time off TV from newly hired head of creative Vince Russo and not told when he would be brought back at the time. Despite some reservations, he agreed to do so. On October 24, 1999 at the Halloween Havoc Pay-Per-View in Las Vegas, Hogan was to face Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship (which he had lost to Sting at Fall Brawl the previous month, when Sting beat Hogan by cheating and had turned heel in the process). However, Hogan came to the ring in street clothes, laid down for the pin, and left the ring.

Soon after his return to WCW TV in February 2000, Hogan began feuding with Lex Luger, Ric Flair, and Billy Kidman. Then, at Bash at the Beach 2000, Hogan was involved in a very controversial, real-life incident with WCW booker Vince Russo. Hogan was scheduled to wrestle Jeff Jarrett for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan felt that he should win because he felt Russo wouldn't use him in any future storylines. At that time Hogan still had several months left on his contract and was obligated to appear at more Pay-Per-Views. So, he used the clause in his contract that gave him creative control over all the finishes of his matches. According to Hogan, it was the only time he ever used that clause in his tenure with WCW. Russo was furious at Hogan because he did not think that Hogan should be the champion.

Unbeknownst to Hogan, Russo told Jarrett to lie down in the middle of the ring and asked Hogan to pin him straight away. A visibly confused Hogan complied with a foot on Jarrett's chest after getting on the microphone and telling Russo "That's why this company is in the damn shape it's in, because of bullshit like this!" Russo responded by coming out and saying that "from day one, that I've been in WCW, I've done nothing... nothing... but deal with the bullshit of the politics behind that curtain" and that since Hogan refused to job to Jarrett, a new WCW World Heavyweight Championship would be created, setting the stage for a title match between Booker T and Jeff Jarrett later that night.

Hogan was never seen or mentioned on WCW television after the event (except for the final Nitro broadcast and overall WCW event, on March 26, 2001), and he filed a defamation of character lawsuit against Russo soon after, which was eventually thrown out of court. Russo later revealed that the Bash at the Beach incident was in fact a work. However, since WCW could no longer afford to pay Hogan for any more Pay-Per-View appearances, Hogan was never called back and kept off WCW television (which put the wheels in motion for the lawsuit).

World Wrestling Federation (revisited) and World Wrestling Entertainment

From July 2000 to November 2001, Hogan was out of the public eye. He had been dealing with self-doubt and depression following the Vince Russo incident, wondering if what Russo had said about him was true. Hogan was also dealing with the death of his father Peter Bollea in December 2001, which he took very hard. Fans at the time had largely agreed with Russo's sentiments, feeling that Hogan was "washed-up" and had been holding down younger talents for too long. Hogan wanted to prove his detractors wrong and show them that he still had another run or two left in him.

In the months following the eventual demise of WCW in March 2001, Hogan underwent surgery on his knees in order for him to wrestle again. As a test, Hogan worked a match in Orlando, Florida for the XWF promotion run by his longtime handler Jimmy Hart. Hogan defeated Curt Hennig in this match and felt healthy enough to accept an offer to return to the WWF in February 2002. At No Way Out 2002, Hogan returned to the company that had made him a pop culture icon, returning as leader of the original nWo with Hall and Nash. In he process, costing Stone Cold Steve Austin a chance at becoming the WWE Champion against Chris Jericho in the main event. Soon after, he fought a memorable match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8 on March 17, 2002. This was Hogan's only WrestleMania match fought as a heel, but the record SkyDome crowd of 68,237, cheered wildly for Hogan, effectively turning him face during the match. The Rock cleanly won the contest but befriended Hogan at the end of the bout and helped him fight off Hall and Nash, who were upset by Hogan's conciliatory attitude.

After the match, Hogan was a definite face again, though he continued wearing black and white tights for a few weeks after WrestleMania X-8 until he resumed wearing his signature red and yellow tights. He had a month-long reign as Undisputed World Wrestling Federation Champion in the spring of 2002 after defeating Triple H at Backlash. During Hogan's title reign of 2002, the World Wrestling Federation changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), thus marking Hogan as the last ever WWF champion and as the first champion under the new company name.

Hogan lost the belt to The Undertaker at Judgment Day 2002 which means that 'Taker's first, and to date last, reigns as champions began by beating Hogan.

The following month, at King of the Ring 2002, Hogan faced Kurt Angle for the first time, in a match which Angle won with his Ankle Lock submission. While Angle was billed as being the first person to defeat Hogan via submission, Lex Luger had actually done it on WCW Monday Nitro to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in 1997 and later that year Sting did as well. Angle's win was Hogan's first defeat via submission on WWE programming.

On 2002's 4th of July edition of Smackdown!, Hogan teamed with Edge to defeat Billy and Chuck and capture the WWE Tag Team Championship for the first time in history. They celebrated by waving the American flag as the overjoyed audience sang along to Hogan's classic theme song "Real American."

After an angle with Brock Lesnar, which saw Lesnar hand Hogan his most convincing defeat in history in August 2002, Hogan went on hiatus. He returned in early 2003 to battle the Rock once again and defeated Vince McMahon at WrestleMania XIX in a match billed as "20 years in the making." He then had another run as Hulk Hogan (with the old "Hulk Rules" logo being revived and altered as "Hulk Still Rules") and later, the mask-wearing spoof superhero Mr. America.

Mr. America was another Hulk Hogan alter-ego. Mr. America was actually Hulk Hogan in disguise, wearing a mask. He used Hulk Hogan's "Real American" theme music. He was the subject of a story line after Hollywood Hulk Hogan was forced by his boss Vince McMahon to sit out the rest of his contract after he won at WrestleMania XIX because McMahon wanted Hulkamania to die.

On May 1 2003 Mr. America debuted on SmackDown! on "Piper's Pit," in which Vince appeared and claimed that Mr. America was Hulk Hogan in disguise, Mr. America shot back by saying, "I am not Hulk Hogan, brother!"

The feud continued through the month of May, with a singles match between Mr. America and Hogan's old rival Roddy Piper at Judgement Day. Zach Gowen was also involved in the feud on the side of Mr. America.Vince tried desperately to prove that Mr. America was indeed Hulk Hogan but failed on all accounts. Mr. America even passed a lie detector test.

Mr. America's last WWE appearance was on the June 26, 2003 edition of SmackDown!, where The Big Show, Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas defeated Mr. America, Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle in a six-man tag team match when Show pinned Mr. America. After the show ended, Mr. America unmasked to show the fans that he was indeed Hulk Hogan. The next week, Hogan quit the WWE due to frustration with the creative team. On the July 3, 2003 edition of SmackDown!, McMahon showed the footage of Mr. America unmasking as Hogan and "fired" him. For several months afterwards, WWE hyped up The Big Show as the man who retired Hogan at Madison Square Garden (where the six-man tag team match was held), in order to give The Big Show some more credibility. In a twist of irony, The Big Show was first discovered by Hogan himself and in 1995 was pushed as a major threat to Hogan's WCW Championship reign.

The Mr. America gimmick came under fire briefly from Marvel Comics, who anointed it a rip-off of Captain America, citing costume similarity. (The single star on the mask was also a trademark on Captain America's chest piece.) This was also adding fuel to the fire over the rights to use the Hulk Hogan name, as because of the problems, the WWE was forced to edit out all references to the "Hulk Hogan" name and started to refer to Hogan under the "Hollywood Hogan" name he used in WCW.

New Japan Pro Wrestling

It wasn't long until Hogan and Vince's uneasy truce with one another blew apart, with Hogan being unhappy with payoffs for his matches shortly after his comeback under the Mr. America gimmick. Vince decided to terminate Hogan's contract and Hogan left the WWE in 2003. Many in the industry thought that Hogan would never again work for Vince McMahon.

A few months afterwards, Hulk Hogan worked a match for New Japan Pro Wrestling, beating Masahiro Chono at the Ultimate Crush II event. Hogan had been looking to make his debut for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (even going so far as to take a guitar shot from then NWA champion Jeff Jarrett during a press conference), but another knee surgery delayed negotiations, and the deal was never finalized.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

According to various reports, Hulk Hogan was approached by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in 2003 regarding appearing at a planned event tentatively titled TNA Bound For Glory, a three hour pay per view event in October meant to be the annual Wrestlemania alternative. Hogan was even attacked by Jarrett during a press conference in Japan to hype the storyline, but Hogan withdrew from negotiations citing knee problems that would prevent him from wrestling. Rumor has it that the knee problems were merely a cover, as Hogan wasn't willing to lose to Jarrett at Bound For Glory.

Hogan continued an amicable relationship with the company, however, and visited with friends off-camera backstage. On November 7, 2004, Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage crossed paths backstage at a Total Nonstop Action Wrestling event in Orlando, Florida. Savage had been going on numerous media outlets for many months, promoting his rap album and was also challenging Hogan to a real fight "anytime anywhere", to which Hogan did not respond. Reports say that Hogan approached Savage to shake his hand. Savage did not shake his hand and had several choice words for Hogan. Hogan then asked Savage if he "wanted to step outside." The two were then separated, but many witnesses[citation needed] say Savage didn't seem too keen on accepting Hogan's request. There has been a rift between the two former best friends for many years, even before this incident. It is speculated that the rift was influenced by different factors, such as Hogan pulling out of a Tampa, Florida nightclub deal in historic Ybor City with Savage as well as a charity match the two were to do for children with cancer; Savage gave him until December 24, 2004, to accept the deadline, and donated a check in Hogan's name when he did not show. Savage has also publicly stated he believes Hogan sabotaged his career and possibly even his marriage to Miss Elizabeth. An urban legend exists that Savage and Hogan engaged in fisticuffs before WrestleMania IX, resulting in the black eye Hogan sported at the event, though Hogan refuted the claim in his autobiography, attributing the eye injury to a jet-ski accident.

Return to World Wrestling Entertainment

In 2005, weeks before WrestleMania 21, it was announced on all WWE programming that the Hulkster would be inducted on that year's Hall of Fame. This signalled Hogan's return to WWE. On April 2, 2005, Hogan was inducted by actor and friend Sylvester Stallone. Hogan was applauded for several minutes before he was able to make a speech.

At WrestleMania 21 on April 3, 2005, the American Patriot Hogan came out to rescue Eugene, who was being attacked by the two Arab-American performers, Muhammad Hassan and Khosrow Daivari.

The next night on RAW, Hassan and Daivari came out to confront and assault fan favorite Shawn Michaels. The following week, Michaels approached RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff demanding a handicap match with Hassan and Daivari. Bischoff refused but did tell Michaels to find a partner and he would grant a match. Michaels then made a plea for Hulk Hogan to come back and team with him. On the April 18 episode of RAW, Hassan again led an attack on Michaels until Hogan appeared to make save Michaels and accept his offer.

At the WWE Backlash pay-per-view Hassan and Daivari lost to Hogan and Michaels, with Daivari being pinned. Hassan would blame and attack Daivari for the loss the next evening on RAW.

Hogan then appeared on the July 4 2005 edition of RAW as the special guest of Carlito on his talk-show segment "Carlito's Cabana." After being asked questions by Carlito concerning his daughter Brooke Hogan, Hogan proceeded to attack Carlito. This was then followed up by an appearance of Kurt Angle, who made comments about Brooke, which further upset Hogan. Hogan was eventually double teamed by Carlito and Angle but was saved by Shawn Michaels. Later that night, Shawn Michaels and Hogan defeated Carlito and Kurt Angle in a tag match. During the post match celebration, Michaels delivered Sweet Chin Music to Hogan and walked off. The following week on RAW, Michaels appeared on "Piper's Pit" and challenged Hogan to face him one-on-one for the first time. Hogan appeared on RAW one week later and accepted the challenge. The match took place on Sunday, August 21 2005 at SummerSlam.

The match between Hogan and Michaels was the main event of the night, and the two collided in a battle billed as "Legend vs. Icon." The match went back and forth, with two referees getting knocked out and Michaels using a steel chair to try to gain an advantage. Even after Michaels hit his Sweet Chin Music, Hogan still kicked out and mounted some offense against Michaels, finally hitting him with the legdrop and scoring the victory. Michaels extended his hand to him, telling him that he "had to find out for himself," and Hogan and Michaels shook hands. Michaels left the ring to allow Hogan to celebrate with the crowd.

Hulk returned on the July 15, 2006 edition of WWE Saturday Night's Main Event with his daughter Brooke. During the show, Randy Orton flirted with the Hulkster's daughter, later on the show Randy Orton challenged Hulk to a match at SummerSlam 2006. At Summerslam 2006 Hogan defeated Orton via pinfall.

Television and movie roles

Hulk Hogan's crossover popularity led to several television and movie roles. Along with 1982's Rocky III, he starred, as mentioned above, in No Holds Barred (1989), as well as Suburban Commando (1991), Mr. Nanny (1993), Santa with Muscles (1996), and 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain (1998). He made two appearances on The A-Team (in 1985 and 1986), and starred in his own TV series, Thunder in Paradise, in 1994. He also appeared in Walker Texas Ranger. Along with Roddy Piper, Hogan lent his voice for a stop motion animation skit on an episode of Robot Chicken, where he led a team of classic wrestlers (in actuality, most of the figures used are from the WWE Classic Superstar line; including Sgt. Slaughter, The Iron Sheik, Jimmy Hart, and King Kong Bundy) however excluding the yet unmade Randy Savage and Lanny Poffo called Hogan's Heroes through an adventure based on the TV show.

Other media

Hollywood Hulk Hogan made cameo appearances in Muppets from Space as "Man in Black" and in Gremlins 2: The New Batch (Theatrical version) as himself. Hogan also appears in Spy Hard, gets tagged in when Leslie Nielsen's character is getting beaten up, and then rips his shirt off and throws a few punches. Hogan has also starred in a few movies which are infamous for being in IMDB's Bottom 100, including Mr. Nanny and Santa With Muscles. Hogan as also been in some of the WWE smackdown series video game. Hogan was portrayed as being offered the role of Zeus on an episode of Hogan Knows Best and was shown during the filming of the movie.

Hogan released a music CD, Hulk Rules, as Hulk Hogan and the Wrestling Boot Band.

The music video for Dolly Parton's wrestling-themed love song Headlock on my Heart features Hogan as "Starlight Starbright."

Hogan has also influenced characters in other media:

  • In the Taito Pro Wrestling game Mat Mania, the character Golden Hulk was designed as a combination of Hulk Hogan and Bruiser Brody. (Note his wild hair and fur-covered boots, both Brody trademarks. The Japanese version of the game, called Exciting Hour, calls the same character Blues Bloody)
  • In Capcom's Street Fighter III, the character Alex is loosely based on Hulk Hogan. His pre-fight entrance has him ripping his shirt like the "Hulkster" himself and his special pre-fight entrance with Hugo (who resembles André the Giant) having a stare-down as a reference to the Hogan-André stare-down at Wrestlemania III.
  • In SNK's World Heroes, the character Muscle Power was modeled on Hogan's character when he wrestled in Japan. He uses Hogan's "Number One!" catchphrase that he used there as well as his Japan-exclusive finishing move the Axe Bomber, a massive clothesline. (Starting with World Heroes 2, however, the character no longer had Hogan's trademark mustache).
  • Hulk Hogan was also the spokesperson for the Legends of Wrestling video game.
  • The Japanese series Kinnikuman has a British wrestler named Neptuneman who looks similar to Hulk Hogan.
  • In the Dead or Alive games, Bass Armstrong is clearly modeled after Hogan.

In an interview on the Tonight Show, Hogan acknowledged that the George Foreman grill was originally offered to him, but he failed to respond in time, and thus allowing Foreman to use his endorsement. This was backed up by an episode of Hogan Knows Best, in which his wife Linda and the family were worried about Hogan's wrestling career (after watching a particular bloody match between Hulk and Shawn Michaels on TV) and pleaded with him to take up a career in marketing. Hulk explains about turning down the Foreman grill, and his choice to invest in a shake-mixer instead, saying that whenever he thinks about investing in something "big", he thinks about what happened with the grill and the shake-mixer.

Personal information

Hogan born to Pete & Ruth Bollea, has an older brother by 7 or 8 years, Allan Bollea and an older half brother by 13 or 14 years from Ruth's first marriage, Kenneth Wheller. Hogan attended the University of South Florida but did not graduate. In 1983, Hogan met his future wife Linda Claridge in a restaurant in Los Angeles. For the first two years, their relationship was mostly via telephone as Hogan traveled throughout the world. They married in 1983, and Linda moved to Tampa, Florida (Hogan's hometown). Linda was born on August 24 1959 in Harlan, Kentucky, USA).

On May 5 1988, Linda gave birth to their first child, daughter, Brooke in Tampa, Florida. On July 27 1990 their second child, son, Nick was born in Van Nuys, California. In April, 2006, the family bought a new $12 million bayfront estate in Miami Beach, Florida so their children could pursue singing and acting careers. The Miami Beach home, in the trendy North Bay Road neighborhood, is the site of filming of the VH1 reality series "Hogan Knows Best." Though residing in Miami Beach, Hogan's Belleair home remains on the market with MLS ID# 7196456.

Main article: Hogan Knows Best

Hogan stars in an American reality television show, centered around his family life. His wife Linda, and their children Brooke and Nick co-star. The show focuses follows the lives of the family and Hogan's efforts to help his children establish careers of their own. Hogan is also friends with former professional wrestler "Nasty Boy" Brian Knobbs, who has appeared on several episodes of Hogan's VH1 reality TV show, Hogan Knows Best. Knobbs is the workout buddy and frequent guest of Bubba The Love Sponge on his Howard 101 Sirius Radio Program.

On October 19, 2006 on Cold Pizza Hulk Hogan said he was good friends with 2 Time Nascar Nextel Cup Champion Tony Stewart

Wrestling facts

  • Finishing and signature moves
  • Atomic Leg Drop / Hogan Leg Drop / Hollywood Leg Drop (Leg drop)
  • Axe Bomber (Crooked arm lariat)
  • Hulk Up Combination (After doing his Hulking Up Taunt, he will point his finger at the opponent and shake it. Then the opponent goes for a punch but Hogan blocks it and punches the opponent's head three times. Then he irish whips the opponent to the ropes and when he runs back Hogan gives him a big boot to the face. Usually after he will clap his hands twice then put his hand to his ear to the three sides of the ring where the audience is, then do his signature leg drop)
  • Body slam
  • Big boot
  • Bear Hug
  • Hogan Punches (a series of punches, three lefts followed by a right)
  • Atomic Drop
  • Side headlock
  • Back body drop
  • Back rake - As Hollywood Hogan
  • Face rake - As Hollywood Hogan
  • Rolling crucifix armbar (In New Japan Pro Wrestling)
  • Managers
  • Theme songs and entrance music
Hogan's earliest entrance music was Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger," the chart-topping song from Rocky III. It was replaced by the theme song to Hogan's animated series Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling (which was an edited version of Bonnie Tyler's song "Ravishing" from her Secret Dreams & Forbidden Fire album) and later by his best-known entrance theme, a track called "Real American" performed by Rick Derringer. The accompanying music video for "Real American," featuring clips from Hulk Hogan's various WWF matches, Hogan riding his motorcycle, and stock footage of various forms of crashing (i.e. buildings and airplanes) intersecting between footage of Hogan playing guitar in front of a blue screen (with various American landscapes and the American flag projected on it), was critiqued on Beavis and Butt-head.
However, as the WWF owned "Real American" Hogan could not use it when he made the jump to World Championship Wrestling, instead he used the song "American Made," from the Hulk Rules album until he joined the nWo and began using their theme, and later the Wolfpac theme. During his time in the nWo he also used "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and then used it again for his "Hollywood Hulk Hogan" run in WWE.
Towards the end of his last WWE run, when he wore a mask and was known by the name Mr. America, he once again made his entrance to "Real American". Upon his return in 2005 for the WWE Hall of Fame induction, WrestleMania 21 and subsequent appearances he also uses "Real American."

Signature taunts

  • Wrist twist to cupping the ear
  • Flexing Arms
  • Hulking Up
  • Rapidly pointing at his opponent
  • Finger Wag

Championships and accomplishments

  • 2 time NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Champion (2 times)

Note: One in Southern division and one in North division.

  • 1983 International Wrestling Grand Prix tournament winner

Awards

  • Hogan was inducted to the 2005 WWE Hall Of Fame.
Hogan is one of the very few to be inducted into both the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2003) and the WWE Hall of Fame (2005).
  • He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in April 1985. Next to the swimsuit issue, the magazine was the year's best seller.[citation needed] He is one of only two professional wrestlers to ever appear on the cover of SI; the other is Danny Hodge.

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

  • Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked him # 1 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003.
  • He was also ranked twice in the best tag teams of the "PWI Years." He was # 44 with Antonio Inoki and # 57 with Randy Savage.
  • Hogan has appeared on the cover of Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine more times than any other wrestler (a total of 81 times, including the 25th Anniversary issue.)
  • PWI ranked him #1 in the 1991 PWI 500.
  • Hogan also won numerous PWI Awards over the years:
    • PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler 1983
    • PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler 1999
    • PWI Comeback of the Year 1994
    • PWI Comeback of the Year 2002
    • PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year 1985
    • PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year 1989
    • PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year 1990
    • PWI Wrestler of the Year 1987
    • PWI Wrestler of the Year 1991
    • PWI Wrestler of the Year 1994
    • PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year 1996
    • PWI Most Hated Wrestler of the Year 1998
    • PWI Match of the Year 1985 (with Mr. T vs. Paul Orndorff & Roddy Piper at WrestleMania),
    • PWI Match of the Year 1988 (vs. André the Giant on NBC),
    • PWI Match of the Year 1990 (vs. Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI)
    • PWI Match of the Year 2002 (vs. the Rock at WrestleMania X8).
    • PWI Feud of the Year 1986 (vs. Paul Orndorff).

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • He is a member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (inducted in 1996).
  • 1982 Best Babyface
  • 1983 Best Babyface
  • 1984 Best Babyface
  • 1985 Best Babyface
  • 1985 Most Charismatic Wrestler
  • 1985 Most Overrated Wrestler
  • 1986 Best Babyface
  • 1986 Feud of the Year (vs Paul Orndorff)
  • 1986 Most Charismatic Wrestler
  • 1986 Most Overrated Wrestler
  • 1987 Best Babyface
  • 1987 Most Charismatic Wrestler
  • 1988 Best Babyface
  • 1989 Best Babyface
  • 1989 Most Charismatic Wrestler
  • 1990 Best Babyface
  • 1990 Most Charismatic Wrestler
  • 1991 Best Babyface
  • 1991 Most Charismatic Wrestler
  • 1994 Most Overrated Wrestler
  • 1995 Most Overrated Wrestler
  • 1996 Most Overrated Wrestler
  • 1997 Best Box Office Draw
  • 1997 Most Overrated Wrestler
  • 1998 Most Overrated Wrestler

Books/DVDs

Books

  • Hollywood Hulk Hogan (Pocket Books (WWE Copyright), 2003)

DVDs

See also

References

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