RIP to the icon, the legend, the greatest of all time — The Immortal Hulk Hogan.
It’s with a heavy heart and immense sadness that I say goodbye to a true hero of my childhood. My dad broke the news to me this morning before I left for my trip, and I hoped — prayed — that he was joking. But when I looked it up, the heartbreaking truth hit me. The Hulkster is gone.
I’m still in shock. I honestly believed he had many more years left. He was so full of life, so full of energy. I grew up a proud Hulkamaniac. Hulk Hogan wasn’t just my favorite — he was wrestling to me. Even when he turned heel and joined the nWo, I stayed loyal. He was always my guy.
One of my most cherished wrestling memories was witnessing the dream match at WrestleMania X8 — Icon vs. Icon: The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan. My two all-time favorites sharing the same ring. It was electric.
I was lucky enough to meet Hulk Hogan on three separate occasions. Out of all the wrestlers I've met, he and Roddy Piper were by far the nicest. I'll never forget the time I met Hogan while dressed as him — one of my most recognized cosplays. That moment was surreal. He looked at me and said, "Thank you for keeping the dream alive." Then he did something I’ll never forget: he took out his phone and asked to take a picture with me. The Hulkster wanted a photo — on his own phone — with me. I was floored.
The next day, out of costume, I told him I was the one dressed up as him the day before. His eyes lit up in total shock and he exclaimed, "NO WAY!" Then he turned to his daughter Brooke and said, "Hey Brooke, it’s him!" That entire moment — Hulk Hogan meeting Hulk Hogan — was captured on video and ended up going viral on YouTube. (You can still find it: “Hulk Hogan meets Hulk Hogan.”)
Over the years, in costume, I’ve had countless fans share their own stories about meeting him. Some were so touching they’d bring tears to your eyes. He meant so much to so many, and he always had time for his fans.
Thank you, Terry Gene Bollea, for the memories, for the inspiration, and for every sacrifice you made in that ring. You are the Babe Ruth of wrestling. What Muhammad Ali is to boxing, what Mickey Mouse is to Disney, what Superman is to DC — you are to pro wrestling.
Joel Xero
RIP to the icon, the legend, the greatest of all time — The Immortal Hulk Hogan.
It’s with a heavy heart and immense sadness that I say goodbye to a true hero of my childhood. My dad broke the news to me this morning before I left for my trip, and I hoped — prayed — that he was joking. But when I looked it up, the heartbreaking truth hit me. The Hulkster is gone.
I’m still in shock. I honestly believed he had many more years left. He was so full of life, so full of energy. I grew up a proud Hulkamaniac. Hulk Hogan wasn’t just my favorite — he was wrestling to me. Even when he turned heel and joined the nWo, I stayed loyal. He was always my guy.
One of my most cherished wrestling memories was witnessing the dream match at WrestleMania X8 — Icon vs. Icon: The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan. My two all-time favorites sharing the same ring. It was electric.
I was lucky enough to meet Hulk Hogan on three separate occasions. Out of all the wrestlers I've met, he and Roddy Piper were by far the nicest. I'll never forget the time I met Hogan while dressed as him — one of my most recognized cosplays. That moment was surreal. He looked at me and said, "Thank you for keeping the dream alive." Then he did something I’ll never forget: he took out his phone and asked to take a picture with me. The Hulkster wanted a photo — on his own phone — with me. I was floored.
The next day, out of costume, I told him I was the one dressed up as him the day before. His eyes lit up in total shock and he exclaimed, "NO WAY!" Then he turned to his daughter Brooke and said, "Hey Brooke, it’s him!" That entire moment — Hulk Hogan meeting Hulk Hogan — was captured on video and ended up going viral on YouTube. (You can still find it: “Hulk Hogan meets Hulk Hogan.”)
Over the years, in costume, I’ve had countless fans share their own stories about meeting him. Some were so touching they’d bring tears to your eyes. He meant so much to so many, and he always had time for his fans.
Thank you, Terry Gene Bollea, for the memories, for the inspiration, and for every sacrifice you made in that ring. You are the Babe Ruth of wrestling. What Muhammad Ali is to boxing, what Mickey Mouse is to Disney, what Superman is to DC — you are to pro wrestling.
Rest in peace, brother. See you in heaven.
2 months ago | [YT] | 28