Reflecting on the Demise of Hulk Hogan the Wrestler: Is it Possible to Grieve the Character, but Not the Person?
In the world of professional wrestling, few figures loom as large as Hulk Hogan. Born Terry Gene Bollea in Georgia and raised in Florida, Hulk Hogan began his wrestling career in the 1970s, using pseudonyms like Terry Hulk.
For Gen Xers, Hulk Hogan was a significant figure, similar to Batman or universal healthcare. His muscular, oily body, long banana-yellow hair, and distinctive handlebar mustache made him a unique character in the wrestling ring. His famous catchphrase, "Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?", became a cultural touchstone of the '80s.
Hulk Hogan's live appearance at Madison Square Garden in 2005 was a significant event for many, including the author. His famous gimmick, which involved ripping a pre-ripped yellow shirt off his body, was a spectacle that left a lasting impression. His most famous move, a climactic one where he would rise from near-defeat and pin his opponent for the win, with the fans' cheers giving him energy, was a testament to his charisma and resilience.
Hulk Hogan was a cross between He-Man and David Lee Roth, a larger-than-life figure that captivated audiences worldwide. His speaking voice was compared to a locomotive powered by amphetamines, adding to his larger-than-life persona.
However, Hulk Hogan's career was not without controversy. Professional wrestling, during his time, was a conversation about race, class, sexuality, and gender. In 2012, Hogan found himself embroiled in a scandal when he sued the independent media site Gawker for publishing a sex tape of Hogan and the wife of his then-best friend, radio host Bubba the Love Sponge. Also uncovered in that tape, and made public three years later, was Hogan using racial slurs.
This revelation led to Hogan being booed by the crowd in his final appearance as Hulk, during the Netflix premiere of WWE Monday Night Raw this past January. On social media, news of his death was met with apathy and derision by younger people who never knew him as a champion, only as a right-wing punchline.
Despite these controversies, Hulk Hogan's influence on professional wrestling cannot be denied. He was possibly the greatest face in all of professional wrestling, a symbol of hope and resilience for countless fans. His fame came at a price: two dozen or so surgeries, which included knee and hip replacements, and an admitted prescription-painkiller addiction.
As we remember Hulk Hogan, it's important to acknowledge both his contributions to the world of wrestling and the lessons his life teaches us about the complexities of fame and the human condition. Inevitably, your childhood heroes were just people all along. And some of them are, and always were, the opposite of who you wanted them to be.
Rest in peace, Hulk Hogan. You will be missed.
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