Hulk Hogan: More Than a Wrestling Icon—A Bond Between Father and Son
Today, the world lost a legend. Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, passed away, leaving behind a legacy that defined professional wrestling and created lifelong memories for generations of fans—including me and my son Bryan.
My son is 48 now, but the memories of watching Hogan in action still feel like yesterday. Back in the late 1970s, when Hulk made his first run in the WWF (then the World Wrestling Federation) from 1979 to 1981, we caught glimpses of the star he was becoming. His charisma, size, and energy were unmatched—even then. But it was his return in 1983 and the decade that followed that truly turned him into a cultural icon—and cemented a bond between my son and me that still holds strong today.
From 1983 to 1993, Hulkamania was more than just a catchphrase. It was a movement. Hogan’s yellow trunks, red bandanas, and bulging muscles were part of every Saturday morning in our household. But what truly lit us up—every single time—was that moment right before the match when he’d rip his shirt off and throw it into the crowd. That one action would send my son and me into a frenzy, jumping around our living room like maniacs. We would take turns being Hogan and the “bad guy,” slamming pillows and staging championship bouts on the carpet.
Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler—he was a superhero without a cape. WrestleMania became our Super Bowl. We watched him slam Andre the Giant in WrestleMania III on closed circuit TV, an iconic moment that seemed to defy gravity and logic. We cheered when he defeated Randy “Macho Man” Savage, and we booed when he lost to The Ultimate Warrior. Through every leg drop and finger point to the crowd, we were right there with him, living every second.
Even after he left the WWF in the early ’90s, our memories remained. When Hogan returned to the now WWE in 2002–2003, older but still larger than life, it felt like a full circle moment. Bryan and I were older too—he was already in his twenties—but that old spark came right back. We watched WrestleMania X8 together as Hogan took on The Rock in a generational showdown. When the crowd turned in his favor mid-match, and when he ripped off that shirt once more, we erupted just like the old days.
Hogan represented more than wrestling. He was a symbol of strength, loyalty, and fun. He gave me and my son not just entertainment, but cherished moments that helped shape our relationship. His catchphrases—“Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?!”—still echo in my head. But what I’ll remember most is how one man’s larger-than-life persona brought a father and son closer, one leg drop at a time.
Rest in peace, Hulkster. You were—and always will be—a hero in our ring.
Hulkster Photo from Deposit Photos