Hulkamania is dead

[Arch Stanton]

I often wondered whether Hulk Hogan was the most recognisable man in the world. Maybe not so much in recent years, but for a few decades up to then, I can't think of anybody that more people around the world would have been able to put a name to. Maybe Arnie? That might just be my bias as a wrestling fan, but I have genuinely never met a single person that has said 'who?' in response to his name being brought up in conversation.

 

[wandshogun09]

Yeah he’s gotta be up there. A giant man who was somehow bald and long haired, with a big old moustache, muscles on top of muscles, a tan the colour of your mum’s Sunday dinner gravy and as if that wasn’t enough to make him stand out in a crowd he was always decked out in bright yellow and red. And that’s just the physical appearance. You add in the PR machine, the merchandise, the overall popularity of wrestling during his peak, he was everywhere. Instantly recognisable. People who never watched a nanosecond of wrestling, from pretty much any country, would probably be able to name him at any time from the mid 80s to the mid 2000s. 

[herbie747]

5 hours ago, Roy said:

You don't think so? 

No, because you don't speak for everyone. 

He wouldn't even be in my top 30.

[d-d-d-dAz]

3 minutes ago, herbie747 said:

No, because you don't speak for everyone. 

He wouldn't even be in my top 30.

The Mt Rushmore stuff is flawed because it's come to mean 'top 4 people I like' to people, when that isn't really the point.

He'd not make my top 10, but if we're carving four big stone heads to represent contribution to the industry hes going to be one of them.

[SuperBacon]

Here's my Mount (C)rushmore.

Yes its a slow day here.

[garynysmon]

18 minutes ago, d-d-d-dAz said:

The Mt Rushmore stuff is flawed because it's come to mean 'top 4 people I like' to people, when that isn't really the point.

Anyone who whacks the Undertaker on these is always an eye roller for me.

[d-d-d-dAz]

5 minutes ago, garynysmon said:

Anyone who whacks the Undertaker on these is always an eye roller for me.

But just because you're a huge Undertaker fan right?

[LCJ]

For me, Rock n’ Wrestling lost their biggest stars this week. I know Hogan was caught out being a racist and that what he said in that infamous recording was disgraceful. But Hogan and Vince McMahon helped make pro wrestling what it is today and we can’t deny that fact. Hogan was a big part of why I started watching the WWF as a kid. Like it or not, he’s the biggest star in wrestling history. I hardly watch wrestling anymore. I think I’ve grown tired of it in recent years but this death hurts. I teared up during the ten bell salute on Smackdown. Hogan’s tribute was the only reason I watched today (the rest of the show I found to be quite bland - and enough with the diving outside the ring spots). WWE did a great job with the tribute video. Feels like WWE expected this (the rumours of him being gravely ill were obviously true) and they probably had the tribute video prepared (kind of like the BBC being ready for when the Queen died). I’m watching Rocky 3 this weekend. Certainly one of the better films that Hogan was in and was arguably his big break to superstardom. RIP Hulkster. Thanks for the memories.

[Chico Torres]

3 hours ago, Arch Stanton said:

I often wondered whether Hulk Hogan was the most recognisable man in the world. Maybe not so much in recent years, but for a few decades up to then, I can't think of anybody that more people around the world would have been able to put a name to. Maybe Arnie? That might just be my bias as a wrestling fan, but I have genuinely never met a single person that has said 'who?' in response to his name being brought up in conversation.

 

Not that it’s definitive but a good representation of 80s pop culture iconography and Hogan is up there.

[RedTwoster]

4 hours ago, Arch Stanton said:

I often wondered whether Hulk Hogan was the most recognisable man in the world. Maybe not so much in recent years, but for a few decades up to then, I can't think of anybody that more people around the world would have been able to put a name to. Maybe Arnie? That might just be my bias as a wrestling fan, but I have genuinely never met a single person that has said 'who?' in response to his name being brought up in conversation.

 

Michael Jackson maybe? Hogan’s definitely a contender, though. 

[IANdrewDiceClay]

Back when Hogan first started acting, Siskel and Ebert would grade him like he was a proper actor. Like "this was a bad role for such an iconic slice of Americana." It's weird seeing that now, considering Hogan as an actor would probably get laughed out of auditioning for a role as a market trader in Eastenders. People were actually expecting something big with No Holds Barred, which in hindsight is mental.

What's also mad is that, this last year was one of the things that killed him off. This last 12 months was the busiest he's been in decades. With his beer hitting big and the Trump association, he became this note worthy figure, and all the rats came out. Bischoff had him doing this amateur wrestling shit. There's is/was a big sports bar franchise starting with MSG based around his likeness. He went on Logan Paul's podcast with his eyes blood shot complaining about lack of sleep and "running hard, brother." No wonder the cunt died. 72 years old and these leeches were running him into the ground. Sad in a way.

[Cousin Jim Bob]

4 hours ago, Arch Stanton said:

I often wondered whether Hulk Hogan was the most recognisable man in the world. Maybe not so much in recent years, but for a few decades up to then, I can't think of anybody that more people around the world would have been able to put a name to. Maybe Arnie? That might just be my bias as a wrestling fan, but I have genuinely never met a single person that has said 'who?' in response to his name being brought up in conversation.

 

 

Are you just talking celebrities ? Because there is certain politicians who 90% of the whole planet would instantly recognise the name and face off. Especially US presidents like Reagan in the 80's or Trump now.

[Cheeky Boy]

Is there a reason he switched to a more illuminous shade of yellow after joining WCW? I'm sure it happened, yet never seems to be mentioned.

[wordsfromlee]

Hogans autograph in his final days was just him signing 'Trumpmania'

Edited July 26, 2025 by wordsfromlee

[Chris B]

Nobody's denying how important Hogan or McMahon were to wrestling. It's why we give a shit about the racism etc.