With his horseshoe mustache, his long blonde platinum then immaculate hair and his caramel tan, it’s hard not to remember the iconic silhouette of Hulk Hogan. The American wrestler, star of the ring in the 80s and controversial personality, passed away this summer at 71 years old. A look back at his career.
Born in the heart of summer 1953 in Georgia, the young Terry Eugene Bollea, whose real name is, has been a music enthusiast since he was little. He plays bass in several rock bands and develops, at the same time, an impressive physique thanks to bodybuilding, which does not fail to attract the attention of the wrestling world.
An iconic wrestling silhouette
Then in his twenties, Terry Bollea began his career in 1977. He takes the name Terry ‘The Hulk’ Boulder, then becomes Hulk Hogan inspired by the incredible Hulk, an iconic character of Marvel, and an Irish name for the salesman’s side. He was then trained by Hiro Matsuda, a renowned professional wrestler and coach, and went through several local federations. With this experience, he joined the WWF, the World Wrestling Federation that became WWE, which experienced a golden age in the 80s.
After a notable appearance in Rocky III in 1982 as Thunderlips, Hulk Hogan is more than ever on the front of the stage. All the more so as he is noticed for his very particular aesthetic: a horseshoe mustache, long platinum blonde hair, a well-caramelized tan, bandannas and a palette of yellow and red colors. He also embodies a certain idea of American-style patriotism, a muscular hero, a symbol of power and charisma. In 1984, he defeated The Iron Sheik and became WWF champion. A victory that marks the beginning of Hulkamania.
He then defends his title against mythical opponents: André the Giant, King Kong Bundy, Macho Man, Ultimate Warrior, Sgt. Slaughter… After a participation in the very first WrestleMania in 1985 with Mr. T, he raises and takes down André the Giant two years later, in front of more than 90,000 spectators at WrestleMania III. The moment is still cult today in the history of wrestling. He remained the WWF headliner throughout the 80s, chaining titles and rivalries.
From the WWF to the WCW
In 1990 and 1991, he won the Royal Rumble. Three years later, he signs to WCW (World Championship Wrestling), the main competitor of the WWF, and wins the championship upon his arrival. To boost his already well-started career, and faced with the emergence of new recruits with different artistic direction, he swaps his image as a patriotic hero for that of the villain dressed in black around 1996, thus becoming Hollywood Hogan. He then formed the New World Order (nWo) with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, a clan of rebellious and arrogant wrestlers. The group, and notably Hulk Hogan, becomes the face of WCW which fights against WWF in the world of audiences.
Renamed WWE in 2002, Hulk Hogan returns there after the purchase of WCW. The same year at WrestleMania X8, he faced The Rock in a historic fight between two generations – he still lost the match. Always acclaimed by the public, he once again wins the WWE title at more than 48 years old.
Appearances as a wrestling legend
Less present as time goes by, this mastodon makes still some special appearances, almost like a legend. In 2005, he entered the WWE Hall of Fame. He nevertheless lost his status in 2015 after the release of recordings where he made racist remarks but was reinstated in the Hall of Fame in 2018 after a public apology. His life was marked by several scandals, notably lies, the taking of illegal steroids to increase his muscle mass and a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against a media outlet that aired a video in which the wrestler had sex with a woman.
Her popularity is such that a reality TV show was even dedicated to her in 2005 around her family with his wife and their two children, but she will stop in 2007 after her separation from his first wife Linda.
The multi-champion has largely contributed to popularizing wrestling in the world and his character is still today one of the symbols of the discipline, but also of a stereotypical America. Hulk Hogan died on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71, from an acute cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida.
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Featured photo : © DR
