Terrence Gene Bollea (born August 11, 1953 in Augusta, Georgia), best known professionally as Hulk Hogan (and occasionally Hollywood Hulk Hogan), is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is currently the star of the VH1 reality show Hogan Knows Best and also makes occasional appearances for World Wrestling Entertainment on the RAW brand.

During his 1980s heyday wrestling for the World Wrestling Federation as the wholesome babyface character Hulk Hogan, Terry Bollea became the highest-drawing, most popular wrestler in the history of the business. After flagging popularity, a steroid scandal, retirements, and lawsuits damaged his momentum in the 1990s, he signed with WWF rival, World Championship Wrestling.

He later turned heel in July 1996, re-energizing and redefining his career as the greedy and manipulative villain Hollywood Hogan as part of the nWo. After WCW went out of business in Spring of 2001, Hogan made his comeback to the company that made him a mega-star, the WWE, in February 2002.

During his long career, he appeared and starred in several movies and TV shows and now makes occasional World Wrestling Entertainment appearances and manages the music career of his daughter Brooke Hogan.

Hogan is now officially recognized as a fifteen-time world heavyweight champion, since his two American Wrestling Association title reigns were validated in April 2005. His loyal fans are referred to as Hulkamaniacs. Hulk Hogan was also the spokesperson for the Legends of Wrestling video game.

Career

Born August 11, 1953. The Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan Terry Gene Bollea (the name on his birth certificate) to Italian-American Pete Bollea and Ruth Bollea, who is of French, Italian and Panamanian descent. Early in life, Terry Bollea was a standout in minor league baseball and also spent ten years playing bass guitar in several Florida-based rock bands, including Ruckus and Infinitys End. Many of the wrestlers who competed in the Florida territory at that time would visit the bars in which Bollea was performing. Bolleas impressive physical stature soon caught the attention of former top-drawing wrestler Jack Brisco and his brother Jerry, both of whom convinced Bollea to give wrestling a try. Bollea had been a wrestling fan since childhood and was eager to give it a chance. He trained for nearly two years under the watchful eye of legendary wrestler Hiro Matsuda, a hard-nosed taskmaster who casually (and to instill respect, purposefully) broke Bolleas leg during their first training session.

Terry Bollea wrestled his first professional match in Tallahassee, Florida on August 19, 1977 as The Super Destroyer, wrestling B. Brian Blair to a draw. Terry also used other ring names early in his career, including Terry The Hulk Boulder and Sterling Golden. In those formative years, Bollea would go on to win his first wrestling championships, the National Wrestling Alliance Southeastern Heavyweight Championships recognized in Alabama and Tennessee, respectively. Bollea even had an early shot at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship - its holder generally recognized as the industrys #1 wrestler - in January 1979, facing NWA kingpin Harley Race.

World Wrestling Federation: the first run

On November 13, 1979 Bollea made his debut in the World Wrestling Federation as a heel and was given the name The Incredible Hulk Hogan by Vincent James McMahon, then the majority owner of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (at the time, the parent company of the Federation). In his debut, Hogan wrestled three matches in Allentown, Pennsylvania during one of the Federations marathon television tapings. Hogan was victorious in all three bouts, squashing Harry Valdez in the first match, Paul Figueroa in the second, and Ben Ortiz in the third. One month later on December 17, Hogan made his Madison Square Garden wrestling debut, defeating Ted DiBiase in 11 minutes, 12 seconds.

The later, official explanation for the Hulk Hogan moniker was that many considered Bollea to be physically bigger than Lou Ferrigno, who at the time was starring in the popular TV series The Incredible Hulk. McMahon also wanted him to be a tough, working-man brawler with a possible Irish background at the same time, thus the name Hogan. A deal was later struck with Marvel Comics to use the Hulk name. In February 2005, Bollea himself purchased the rights to the name Hulk Hogan.

Hogan started out in the WWF as an arrogant heel, clad in a golden cape and managed by the late Classy Freddie Blassie. During his first run with the WWF, Hogan feuded intensely with WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) World Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund, Mr. U.S.A. Tony Atlas, and a man he had met previously in the deep South and would see much more of down the road in his career: the late 74, 520-pound André the Giant. Hogan and André would go on to clash in a historic match on August 9, 1980 in front of 36,295 fans in Shea Stadium in Flushing, NY. This was part of the WWFs Showdown At Shea event. In 1981, Sylvester Stallone personally offered him a part in the movie Rocky III. Hogan wanted to use this opportunity for a potential movie career, but industry etiquette demanded that he first ask for his boss( Vincent J. McMahon ) permission. Knowing that he could not refuse this opportunity (it could dramatically increase his drawing power / earning potential, since wrestling fans -- and promoters -- in each territory would want to see the big guy from Rocky III in person), Bollea took the part anyway. When McMahon found out (as Bollea knew he would), he fired Hogan from the WWF as a result.

American Wrestling Association

After filming his scene for Rocky III, Hogan made his debut in the Minnesota-based American Wrestling Association, owned and promoted by former ten-time AWA World Heavyweight Champion and two-time NCAA Champion Verne Gagne. Hogans first AWA match took place on August 1, 1981 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he defeated Tony Leone and Chuck Greenlee in a handicap match. Hogan started his AWA run portraying his heel character from the World Wrestling Federation (taking on Luscious Johnny Valiant as his manager), but AWA fans reacted much differently to Hogan. The audience couldnt get enough of the muscular Hogan, and soon AWA bookers (the underlings of the promoter, responsible for figuring out profitable match-ups and the matches details) were compelled to turn Hogan face. On May 28, 1982, Rocky III premiered in theaters nationwide. Hogans role in Rocky III was Thunderlips: The Ultimate Male, a buffed, egotistical pro wrestler who took on Stallones Rocky Balboa in a wrestler vs. boxer charity match. The role would garner international media attention for Hogan, and soon he was riding the crest of a wave of popularity, the likes of which had rarely been seen before for a professional wrestler. The seeds for what would become the cultural movement known as Hulkamania were planted.

New Japan Pro Wrestling

During this period of Hogans career, he was not competing strictly under the AWA (or any) banner. A great deal of Hogans early success was achieved in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Japanese wrestling fans were in awe of the gargantuan blond American, and nicknamed him Ichiban (which translates to Number One). Hogan first appeared in Japan on May 23, 1980, while he was still with the WWF. He would tour the country from time to time over the next few years, facing a wide variety of opponents ranging from Tatsumi Fujinami to Abdullah the Butcher. When competing in Japan, Hogan used a vastly different repertoire of wrestling moves, relying on more scientific (i.e., technical, more amateur style-seeming) looking traditional wrestling holds and maneuvers as opposed to the power-based (feats of strength), brawling style U.S. fans were accustomed to seeing from him. On June 2, 1983, Hogan became the first International Wrestling Grand Prix tournament winner, defeating Japanese wrestling icon Antonio Inoki by knockout in the finals of a 10-man tournament featuring top talent from throughout the world. Hogan and Inoki also worked as partners in Japan, winning the prestigious MSG Tag League tournament two years in a row, in 1982 and 1983. Also Hogans popularity in Japan was so great, he even recorded an album there-a forerunner to the World Wrestling Federations Rock n Wrestlin Connection of the mid-80s.

Hulkamania

Hogan, now a face, was a great box-office success in the AWA and was lured back to the World Wrestling Federation in late 1983 by Vince McMahon after he bought the organization outright from his father. Hogan had been growing increasingly frustrated with the AWAs backstage politics, which kept the AWA World Heavyweight Championship out of his reach, despite blatantly obvious fan demand for him to win it. On two different occasions, Hogan had been scripted to win the AWA Championship from heel champion Nick Bockwinkel and have it revert back to Bockwinkel by contrived technicality. This was a common plot device in the business, especially in territories much smaller and less lucrative than the AWA at that time, done repeatedly to milk audience anticipation that the face would topple the heel next time. In a spring 1983 show in Minneapolis (the AWAs home market), this same plot played out. But this time, Gagne had greatly underestimated his fans anticipation; after the usual routine, fan displeasure was so strong, only Bolleas pleas (on the PA system, in character as Hogan) kept them from rioting. This outcome was officially overturned by the AWA board in April 2005, nearly fifteen years after Gagnes company had stopped doing live shows, thus making Hogan an officially recognized two-time former AWA World Champion. Hogan was also upset with promoter Verne Gagnes demands for a percentage of his Japanese earnings in exchange for the AWA Championship. McMahon wanted to turn the WWF into a nationwide (and then worldwide) entity, leveraged on Hulk Hogans charisma, body, and name power. Hogan would go on to become one of the most popular wrestlers ever, with his loyal fans known as Hulkamaniacs.

Hulk Hogan played the role of an honest and courageous hero, encouraging children to train, say their prayers and take their vitamins. Hogan made a dramatic return to the WWF on January 3, 1984 during a marathon TV taping in Allentown, Pennsylvania, saving Bob Backlund from a three-on-one assault at the hands of the Wild Samoans. Weeks later on January 23, Hogan won the WWF Championship for the first time, pinning The Iron Sheik in New Yorks Madison Square Garden.

Hogan would remain WWF Champion for four years and 13 days, overcoming such challengers as André the Giant, Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff, Rowdy Roddy Piper, and King Kong Bundy, drawing record houses, PPV buyrates and TV ratings in the process. He co-hosted Saturday Night Live on March 30, 1985 and even had his own CBS Saturday morning cartoon during this lucrative run, titled Hulk Hogans Rock n Wrestling.

On March 31, 1985, the inaugural WrestleMania took place at Madison Square Garden, featuring Hogan in a tag team main event, with Mr. T his partner. Hogan would go on to headline seven of the first eight WrestleManias, from 1985-1992. A record that has yet to be broken.

A new storyline was introduced in early 1987: Hogan was presented a trophy for being the WWF Champion for three years. André the Giant, a good friend (who was seen pouring champagne over him in the Madison Square Garden locker room in the interview scene following his title win) came out to congratulate him. Shortly afterwards, André was presented a slightly smaller trophy for being undefeated in the WWF for 15 years. In actuality, André had suffered a handful of countout and disqualification losses in the WWF, but had never been pinned or forced to submit in a WWF ring. Hogan came out to congratulate André, but André walked out in the midst of Hogans speech. Then, on an edition of Pipers Pit, Hogan was confronted by Bobby Heenan. Heenan announced that his new protege was André. André then challenged Hogan to a title match at WrestleMania III, ripping the t-shirt and crucifix off of Hogan.

WrestleMania III, held on March 29, 1987 at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan, set a North American indoor attendance record for any sporting event. An announced audience of 93,173 (it has been said the number was closer to 78,000, but this has never been confirmed) witnessed Hogan successfully defend the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against André the Giant. The match would become the most famous of Hogans career, one which saw Hogan bodyslam the 520-pound Frenchman before pinning his shoulders to the mat. The match was considered as being a passing of the torch between one of the biggest stars in wrestling of the 1970s, André, and the biggest star in wrestling of the 1980s, Hogan. Years later, Hogan stated that André was so heavy, he felt more like 700 pounds.

Hogan lost the belt in extremely controversial fashion to André on NBCs The Main Event on February 5, 1988, thanks to a convoluted scam involving The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase and evil twin referee Earl Hebner (in place of the matchs appointed arbiter, his twin brother Dave Hebner). After the match, André handed the title over to DiBiase to complete their storyline business deal. As a result, the WWF Championship was vacated for the third time in its 25-year history, and all this in turn led to Hogans on/off friend Macho Man Randy Savage taking the vacant title in a tournament at WrestleMania IV a month later.

Note: The live primetime NBC broadcast of The Main Event on February 5, 1988 is the highest rated television show in professional wrestling history, with a 15.2 rating.

Together, Hogan, Savage, and manager Miss Elizabeth formed a partnership known as The Mega Powers. The Macho Man Randy Savage played an instrumental role in Hogans character development. However, the Mega-Powers would soon implode from within, due to Savages burgeoning jealousy of Hogan and his paranoid suspicions that Hogan and Elizabeth were more than friends. A feud between Hogan and Savage began, which culminated with Hogan beating Savage for his second WWF Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania V on April 2, 1989. Hogans second run lasted a year, during which time he starred in his first movie, No Holds Barred; the movie was the inspiration of a feud with Hogans co-star in No Holds Barred Tiny Lister, Jr., who appeared at wrestling events as his movie character, Zeus. Zeus was an unfazable monster heel who was jealous over Hogans higher billing and now wanted revenge. However, Hogan was easily able to defeat Zeus in a series of matches across the country during late 1989, beginning with a tag team match at SummerSlam. Also during his second run, Hogan won the 1990 Royal Rumble Match, last eliminating Mr. Perfect. He dropped the title to Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior on April 1, 1990 at WrestleMania VI. It was the first time in over seven years that Hogan was pinned. That title match was notable in that the two wrestlers were both faces, and Hogan graciously handed Warrior the belt and shook his hand at the conclusion of the match, remembered as one of the most sportsmanlike displays in WWE history.

Hogan soon became embroiled in a heated feud with the 468-pound Earthquake, a mountain of a man who gained infamy by crushing Hogans ribs in a sneak attack on The Brother Love Show in May 1990. On TV, announcers explained that Hogan was depressed over his injuries and his WrestleMania VI loss to The Ultimate Warror and both took such a huge toll on his fighting spirit that he wanted to retire. Viewers were asked to write letters to Hogan and send postcards asking for his return (they got a postcard-sized picture in return, autographed by Hogan, as a thank you). Hogan returned by SummerSlam 1990 and dominated Earthquake in a months-long series of matches across the country.

On March 24, 1991, Hogan stood up for the USA against Iraqi-sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter, outwitting him for his third WWF Championship at WrestleMania VII. Hogan lost the title to The Undertaker at the Survivor Series on November 27, 1991, in an infamous bout marred by interference from the legendary Nature Boy Ric Flair. Just six days later, Hogan regained the title in a match held on a special pay-per-view named Tuesday In Texas, but due to the controversy surrounding both matches, the title was again declared vacant. In the 1992 Royal Rumble, Hogan was eliminated by storyline friend Sid Justice and failed to regain the championship. In the ensuing five months, Hulk Hogan announced he was contemplating retirement from wrestling and bowed out against Justice at WrestleMania VIII on April 5, 1992. The match against Justice was not without controversy as Justice seemingly broke character and kicked out of Hogans legdrop finish. In reality, he was covering for an error in timing, as Papa Shango was late to break up the pin. Hogan eventually won the match via DQ when Shango finally made it to the ring. The returning Ultimate Warrior saved Hogan from the post match beat down. Hogan later reconsidered his career and was back in the ring within a year.

A lot of fictitious rumors surround the Hulk Hogan sensation, employed in part by the WWF and later WCW to sensationalize and hype up their star name. Hogan dyed his hair platinum blonde and wore a bandana. His usual colors were yellow and red; as a heel they were black and white. One statistic about Hogan that did stand, at least at the time, was that he had the largest arms in professional sports, a title he legitimately held only for a few years. 24-inch pythons was a phrase commonly used to describe Hogans arms.

Hulk Hogans incredible crossover popularity led to several television and movie roles. Along with 1982s Rocky III, he starred, as mentioned above, in No Holds Barred (1989), as well as Suburban Commando (1991), Mr. Nanny (1993), Santa with Muscles (1996), and 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain (1998). He made two appearances on The A-Team (in 1985 and 1986), and starred in his own TV series, Thunder in Paradise, in 1994.

End of Hulkamania?

Hogan returned to the WWF in January 1993, helping out his longtime friend Brutus Beefcake in his feud with Money Inc.. Hogan scooped his fifth WWF Title on April 4 of that year, overcoming Yokozuna in an impromptu bout at WrestleMania IX. At this point everything was looking good for Hogan, he had the World Wrestling Federation Championship once again and it seemed like Hulkamania was back and better then ever. However, this was not the case at all.

At the first annual King of the Ring pay per view, Hogan had to defend the title against Yokozuna again. He had the advantage all the way through the match until a camera exploded in his face, temporarily blinding him, allowing Yokozuna to pick up the victory. After his victory, Yokozuna proceeded to give Hogan a Banzai drop amidst the crying children and cursing adults. As Yokozuna celebrated, Hogan was helped back to the locker room by ringside officials, as he clutched his face. Hulkamania had seemingly taken its final breath.

Hogan departed the WWF two months later after a series of bouts against Yokozuna on a European tour. An impending steroid scandal led to Vince McMahon deciding to phase out large, muscular wrestlers such as Hogan and give the top spots to smaller, more technically sound wrestlers such as Bret Hart. After Hogan left the WWF, he decided to concentrate on movies and TV and take time off from professional wrestling.

World Championship Wrestling

In June 1994 Hogan was expensively lured back to the ring by Ted Turners World Championship Wrestling, which was the WWFs main competitor at the time. When Hogan signed with WCW, officials (namely, Eric Bischoff, who convinced Hogan to join WCW in the first place) hoped that they could relive the glory days of Hulkamania, but everyone involved also knew it would be tough to convince many loyal, old-school WCW fans of Hogans worth, particularly the southern fans that were traditionally anti-WWF. Hogan was also at this time given virtually absolute creative control over his onscreen character. Hulk Hogans contract signing on June 11 was held at Disney World in Orlando, following a red-and-yellow ticker tape parade.

Hogan won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in his debut match, overcoming Ric Flair in a genuine dream match on July 17. After tussling with Flair, Vader, and the Dungeon of Doom for the next eighteen months, Hogan dropped the belt and began to only appear occasionally on WCW shows. WCW fans were clamouring for younger, more exciting international stars such as Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero and were growing tired of seeing Hogans red-and-yellow good guy persona they had seen for ten years in the WWF. Hogan soon reinvented himself as a heel (his first time playing a heel role since 1981) and returned full-time on July 7, 1996.

Scott Hall and Kevin Nash both left the WWF in early 1996 and returned to their old employer, WCW. They were portrayed as Outsiders and quickly announced their intent to take over WCW, with the help of an unnamed third member of their team (initially rumored to be Bret Hart). At the Bash At The Beach PPV, Hall, Nash and their partner were scheduled to face the WCW trio of Sting, Randy Savage, and Lex Luger. The third partner did not begin the match, and, after Luger left the match due to an injury, some assumed that he would be the third man. When Hogan came out, many expected him to attack Hall and Nash. However, in one of the most shocking moments in wrestling history, Hogan leg dropped Randy Savage and declared himself to be Hall and Nashs partner, with the trio comprising what Hogan dubbed the New World Order.

Hogans turn to heel, after being one of the most popular and iconic figures in sports entertainment and sports in general, caused a great stir through the wrestling community. The next night on Nitro, Eric Bischoff announced that all night Sunday and all day Monday, WCW and Hogan recieved literally hundreds, if not thousands, of complaints from parents whose children had stayed up all night crying and destroying Hulkster merchandise. Though intended as kayfabe, the statement was no doubt truthful. Hogans move from face to heel signified a change in wrestlings character system, which in coming years would intentionally blur the lines between good and evil.

Hogan soon dyed his beard black and renamed himself Hollywood Hogan. Hogan managed to redefine the heel character: rather than the traditional bad guy Hollywood Hogan gave birth to a more realistic, street-smart villain, with none of the usual wrestling gimmicks and devices. Some have placed Hollywood Hogan as one of the best and most effective heels in pro wrestling history.

After defeating The Giant at Hog Wild on August 10, 1996 with the help of a foreign object, Hogan held the WCW World Heavyweight Championship for most of 1997. During this period he grappled with Roddy Piper, Randy Savage and many more. The ever-expanding nWo gang concurrently became the hottest concept in wrestling too, helping WCW to achieve 83 straight Monday night ratings victories over the WWF. The black-and-white nWo t-shirt also became one of the highest-selling pieces of wrestling merchandise ever during 1997.

Hogan then lost the belt to Sting in a hugely-hyped, eighteen-months-in-the-making match at StarrCade in December 1997. The event was also the highest-drawing PPV in WCWs history. After Hogan spent 1998 wrestling celebrity matches with buddies such as Dennis Rodman and Jay Leno, he announced his retirement, and also attempted to launch a run for the U. S. Presidency in November (at the behest of his boss Ted Turner, who felt Hogan was popular enough to capture the nations highest office). He was back in the ring alongside a reformed nWo within weeks however but eventually turned on what was left of them in July 1999 and swiftly returned to his familiar, red-and-yellow wearing babyface persona. Injuries and frustrations were mounting up however, and Hogan was soon absent from TV from October 1999 to February 2000. In his book Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Bollea said that he was asked to take time off of TV from newly hired head of creative Vince Russo and not told when he would be brought back at the time. Despite some reservations, he agreed to do so. On October 24, 1999 at the Halloween Havoc Pay-Per-View in Las Vegas, Hogan was to face Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. However, Hogan came to the ring in street clothes, lay down for the pin, and left the ring.

Soon after his return to WCW TV in February 2000, Hogan began feuding with Lex Luger, Ric Flair, and Billy Kidman. Then, at Bash at the Beach 2000, Hogan was involved in a very controversial, real-life incident with WCW booker Vince Russo. Hogan was scheduled to wrestle Jeff Jarrett for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan felt that he should win because he felt Russo wouldnt use him in anymore future storylines. At that time Hogan still had several months left on his contract and was obligated to appear at more Pay-Per-Views. So, he used the clause in his contract that gave him creative control over all the finishes of his matches. According to Hogan, it was the only time he ever used that clause in his tenure with WCW. Russo was furious at Hogan because he did not think that Hogan should be the champion.

Unbeknownst to Hogan, Russo told Jarrett to lie down in the middle of the ring and asked Hogan to pin him straight away. A visibly confused Hogan complied, then got on the microphone and told Russo Thats why the company is in the damn shape its in, because of bullshit like this! Russo responsed by coming out and saying that he wanted to get rid of all the old guys and that since Hogan refused to job to Jarrett, a new WCW World Heavyweight Championship would be created, setting the stage for a title match between Booker T and Jeff Jarrett later that night. Hogan was never seen or mentioned on WCW television after the event, and he filed a defamation of character lawsuit against Russo soon after, which was eventually thrown out of court.

World Wrestling Entertainment: the comeback

From July 2000 to November 2001, Hogan was extremely quiet and out of the public eye. He had been dealing with self-doubt and depression following the Vince Russo incident, wondering if what Russo had said about him was true. Hogan was also dealing with the death of his father Peter Bollea in December 2001, which he took very hard. Fans at the time had largely agreed with Russos sentiments, feeling Hogan was washed-up and had been holding down younger talents for too long. Hogan wanted to prove his detractors wrong and show them that he still had another run or two left in him.

In the months following the eventual demise of WCW in March 2001, Hogan underwent surgery on his knees in order for him to wrestle again. As a test, Hogan worked a match in Orlando, Florida for the XWF promotion run by his longtime handler Jimmy Hart. Hogan defeated the late Curt Hennig in this match and felt healthy enough to accept an offer to return to the WWF in February 2002. Inititally, Hogan returned as leader of the original nWo with Hall and Nash. Soon after arriving, he fought a memorable match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8 on March 17, 2002. This was Hogans only WrestleMania match fought as a heel, but the record SkyDome crowd of 68,237, cheered wildly for Hogan, effectively turning him face during the match. The Rock cleanly won the contest but befriended Hogan at the end of the bout and helped him fight off Hall and Nash, who were upset by Hogans conciliatory attitude.

After the match, Hogan was a definite face again and had a month-long reign as Undisputed World Wrestling Federation Champion in the spring of 2002 after defeating Triple H at Backlash. During Hogans title reign of 2002, the World Wrestling Federation changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), thus marking Hogan as the first champion under the new company name. After an angle with Brock Lesnar in August 2002, Hogan went on hiatus. He returned in early 2003 to battle The Rock once again and defeated Vince McMahon at WrestleMania XIX. He then had another run as Hulk Hogan (with the old Hulk Rules logo being revived and altered as Hulk Still Rules) and later, the mask-wearing spoof superhero Mr. America.

Mr. America

Mr. America was another Hulk Hogan alter-ego. Mr. America was actually Hulk Hogan in disguise, wearing a mask. He used Hulk Hogans Real American theme music. He was the subject of a story line after Hollywood Hulk Hogan was forced by his boss Vince McMahon to sit out the rest of his contract after he won at WrestleMania XIX because McMahon wanted Hulkamania to die.

On May 1, 2003 Mr. America debuted on SmackDown! on Pipers Pit, in which Vince appeared and claimed that Mr. America was Hulk Hogan in disguise, Hogan shot back by saying I am not Hulk Hogan, brother!

The feud continued through the month of May, with a singles match between America and Hogans old rival Roddy Piper at Judgement Day. Zach Gowen was also involved in the feud on the side of Mr. America.

Vince tried desperately to prove that Mr. America was indeed Hulk Hogan but failed on all accounts. Mr. America even passed a lie detector test.

Mr. Americas last WWE appearance was on the June 26, 2003 edition of SmackDown!, where The Big Show, Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas defeated Mr. America, Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle in a six-man tag team match when Show pinned Mr. America. After the show ended, Mr. America unmasked to show the fans that he was indeed Hulk Hogan. The next week, Hogan quit the WWE due to frustration with the creative team. On the July 3, 2003 edition of SmackDown!, McMahon showed the footage of Mr. America unmasking as Hogan and fired him. For several months afterwards, WWE hyped up Big Show as the man who retired Hogan at Madison Square Garden (where the six-man tag team match was held), in order to give Big Show some more credibility. In a twist of irony, Big Show was first discovered by Hogan himself and in 1995 was pushed as a major threat to Hogans WCW Championship reign.

A few months after Mr. America ceased to exist, Hulk Hogan worked a match for New Japan Pro Wrestling, beating Masahiro Chono at the Ultimate Crush II event. Hogan had been looking to make his debut for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, but another knee surgery delayed negotiations, and the deal was never finalized.

Hall of Famer

Hogan was inducted by Sylvester Stallone into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 2, 2005. The Hulkster was greeted with a loud standing ovation which lasted several minutes prior to his acceptance speech. During his speech, Hogan was interrupted more than once by fans chanting One more match! The following night at WrestleMania 21, Hogan gave them a teaser of things to come, saving Eugene from an attack at the hands of Muhammad Hassan and Khosrow Daivari. On May 1, 2005, Hogan gave the fans what they had asked for, when he teamed with Shawn Michaels to defeat Hassan and Daivari at Backlash.

The one more match chants and claims began to become more frequent for Hogan, who by the time he was finished competing in his match at Backlash, claimed to have second thoughts of hanging up the boots. On the June 27 edition of RAW Hogan was announced as the mystery tag team partner of WWE Champion John Cena and Shawn Michaels in a match against Chris Jericho, Christian and Tyson Tomko, and since then he has considered to have taken a part-time wrestling status, only wrestling every now and then. It is believed that, like The Rock, he may also consider wrestling around the season of WrestleMania.

The Icon versus The Legend

Hogan then appeared the following week on the July 4 edition of RAW as the special guest of Carlito on his talk-show segment Carlitos Cabana. After being asked disrespectful questions by Carlito concerning his daughter Brooke Hogan, Hogan proceeded to attack Carlito. This was then followed up by an appearance of Kurt Angle, who made more dirty comments about Brooke, which further upset Hogan. Hogan was eventually double teamed by Carlito and Angle but was saved by Shawn Michaels. Later that night, Shawn Michaels and Hogan defeated Carlito and Kurt Angle in a tag match. During the post match celebration, Michaels delivered Sweet Chin Music to Hogan and walked off. The following week on RAW, Michaels appeared on Pipers Pit and challenged the Hall of Famer to face him one-on-one for the first time. Hogan appeared on RAW one week later and accepted the challenge. The match took place on Sunday, August 21, at SummerSlam.

Neither Hogan nor Michaels had ever lost a one-on-one match at SummerSlam. That would change on August 21, 2005. The match between Hogan and Michaels was the main event of the night, and the two collided in a battle billed as Legend vs. Icon. The match went back and forth, with two referees getting knocked out and Michaels using a steel chair to try to gain an advantage. Even after Michaels hit his Sweet Chin Music, Hogan still kicked out and mounted some offense against Michaels, finally hitting him with the legdrop and scoring the victory. Michaels extended his hand to him, telling him that he had to find out for himself, and Hogan and Michaels shook hands. Michaels left the ring to allow Hogan to celebrate with the crowd.

On October 3, 2005, Hulk Hogan publically challenged Stone Cold Steve Austin to a match, possibly to be held on April 2, 2006 at WrestleMania 22. Austin was rumored from the outset to be apathetic about the match, and his departure from WWE in November 2005 following a creative dispute apparently further diminished the likelihood of the match happening.

Hogan was recently announced on an episode of Raw to be the one to induct Mean Gene Okerlund into the WWE hall of fame.

Legacy

Today, Hulk Hogan is semi-retired from wrestling, appearing for occasional matches with WWE and managing the singing career of his teenage daughter Brooke Hogan. A reality series featuring Hogan, Brooke, wife Linda, and son Nicholas, titled Hogan Knows Best, premiered on July 10, 2005, on VH1. The pilot episode was the highest-rated reality show debut in VH1 history.

WWE Hall of Famer Gorilla Monsoon encapsulated Hogans career with the words: They broke the mold when they made this man! There will never be another Hulkster in the history of our great sport.

Controversy

Hulk Hogan has been the subject of controversy throughout the latter part of his career. Many fans and wrestlers alike considered him a politician who used his influence to secure a spot at the top of the roster. When asked about his apparent refusal to job or sell moves in a 2005 interview, Hogan stated, Verne Gagne, for three years, told me not to go down to a knee. That put me into a spot where everybody wanted to say Well, he doesnt want to do a job. He cant work. He cant take bumps. Promoters said Man, if you go off your feet, were not going to make any money. Youre the Hulk! You need to know the whole picture of this business.

Despite his success, Hogan rarely wrestled technically proficient matches in the United States, relying more on his charisma than his pure wrestling ability. He is widely regarded as having acted as a catalyst in the gradual movement of professional wrestling away from sport and towards entertainment.

Hogans personal conduct has rarely come under intense scrutiny, with even his most fervent detractors focusing on his alleged politicking. Nonetheless, several incidents have somewhat marred Hogans character, most prominently the aforementioned steroid scandal. In 1993, Hogan was rumored to have sustained a black eye immediately before WrestleMania IX at the hands of Randy Savage, who supposedly believed that Hogan had committed adultery with his ex-wife Miss Elizabeth. The explanation provided by the WWF was that Ted DiBiase had hired some men to attack him the night before their scheduled match.

Neither of these stories were true. In reality, Hogans eye injury came as a result of a jet ski accident which potentially could have ended his life. Hogan wrote in his 2002 autobiography Hollywood Hulk Hogan (page 218), Along came a big wave and I jumped it. But instead of riding up over the second wave, the front end of the jet ski dug in and launched me headfirst over the top of it. I knew the jet ski was coming after me, but I thought Id be okay because I was underwater and I thought I could stay there for a second. Then the ski would go right over my head. I forgot about my life jacket. The damn thing bobbed me right back up-directly in the path of the jet ski. It hit me right in the face at a speed of forty miles an hour. Its a miracle the thing didnt kill me. If it had hit me in the side of the head, Id have been dead. If it had center-punched me right between the eyes, it would have probably ripped the top of my skull off. But instead, it hit me underneath the eye ball and broke my orbital socket.

In January 1996, Hogan was sued for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman named Kate Kennedy. Hogan filed a countersuit citing extortion, and was subsequently acquitted of all charges.

Finally, Hogans lengthy career and multiple faux retirements have led to jibes about his inability to leave the spotlight. Hogan continues to wrestle despite having an artificial hip and various nagging injuries. As early as 1996, the WWF parodied Hogan (then working for WCW) with a character known as The Huckster. In August 2005, Shawn Michaels lampooned Hogan in a parody of Larry King Live in which Hogan moved with the assistance of a walker and suffered from back cramps.

In wrestling

Previous managers
* Billy Spears
* Classy Freddie Blassie
* Jimmy Hart
* Miss Elizabeth
* Ted DiBiase
* Eric Bischoff

Finishing and signature moves
* Leg Drop of Doom / Atomic Leg Drop (Leg drop)
* Ax Bomber (Crooked arm lariat)
* Big boot
* Bear hug

Trivia

* Bobby Heenan proclaimed that Hulk Hogan is the biggest attraction wrestling has ever seen, and no one will duplicate what he has done.
* Hogan is one of the very few to be an inductee of both the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (2003) and the WWE Hall of Fame (2005).
* Hogan has appeared on the cover of Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine more times than any other wrestler (a total of 81 times, including the 25th Anniversary issue.)
* He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in April 1985. Next to the swimsuit issue, the magazine was the years best seller. He is one of only two professional wrestlers to ever appear on the cover of SI; the other is Danny Hodge.
* His much-hyped World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship rematch with André the Giant was broadcasted live on February 5, 1988, on The Main Event on NBC. It is still the most watched television show in professional wrestling history, with a 15.2 rating. The show took place at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana and was Pro Wrestling Illustrateds Match of the Year.
* Hulk Hogan earned $1.8 million for his match against Macho Man Randy Savage at WrestleMania V, April 2, 1989.
* According to various reports, on November 7, 2004, Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage crossed paths backstage at a Total Nonstop Action Wrestling event in Orlando, Florida. (as a side note: Savage had been going on numerous media outlets for many months, promoting his rap album and was also challenging Hogan to a real fight anytime anywhere; to which Hogan decided not to respond). Reports say that Hogan decided to approach Savage and shake his hand. Savage did not shake his hand and had several choice words for Hogan. Hogan then asked Savage if he wanted to step outside. The two were then separated, but many witnesses say that Savage didnt seem too keen on accepting Hogans request. There has been a rift between the two former best friends for many years, even before this incident. They still do not speak to each other.
* Among the many wrestlers of the current era who cite Hulk Hogan as a primary influence: John Cena, Trish Stratus, Edge, Eugene, Rhyno, and Big Show.
* Hollywood Hulk Hogan made a cameo appearances in Muppets From Space as Man in Black and in Gremlins 2: The New Batch as himself. Hogan also appears in Spy Hard, gets tagged in when Leslie Nielsens character is getting beaten up, and then rips his shirt off and throws a few punches.
* Hulk Hogan appeared in a 1986 video called Real American performed by Rick Derringer. The video features him playing a guitar across all of America (actually, he was only standing in front of a blue screen while clips of American landmarks shot across the screen) and also features him in certain wrestling scenes. But the song Real American was originally intended for Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo(later known as the wrestler I.R.S.).
* Hogan is rumored to have taken down talented amateur wrestler Verne Gagne with a front facelock following a heated dispute that became physical.
* Hogan attended the University of South Florida but did not graduate.
* The Japanese series Kinnikuman has a British wrestler named Neptuneman who looks similar to Hulk Hogan.
* In Capcoms Street Fighter III, the character Alex is loosely based on Hulk Hogan. His pre-fight entrance has him ripping his shirt like the Hulkster himself and his special pre-fight entrance with Hugo (who resembles André the Giant) having a stare-down as a reference to the Hogan-André stare-down at Wrestlemania III.

Theme songs and entrance music

Hogans earliest entrance music is Survivors Eye of the Tiger, the chart-topping song from Rocky III. It was replaced by the theme song to Hogans animated series Hulk Hogans Rock n Wrestling (which was an edited version of Bonnie Tylers song Ravishing from her Secret Dreams & Forbidden Fire album) and later by his best-known entrance theme, a track called Real American performed by Rick Derringer. The accompanying music video for Real American, featuring clips from Hulk Hogans various WWE matches, Hogan riding his motorcycle, and stock, black and white footage of various forms of crashing (i.e. buildings and airplanes) intercepting between footage of a guitar playing Hogan behind a blue screen (at various American landscapes), was memorably critiqued on Beavis and Butt-head.

However, Hogan cannot use the song Real American outside of WWE. Even though Jimmy Hart wrote the song, Vince McMahon had the song copyrighted right before Hulk Hogan left for WCW, preventing him from using it (the song was originally the theme music for Mike Rotundo and Barry Windham, the U.S. Express). He used the song American Made, which can be found on the Hulk Rules CD, then the nWo theme, and later the Wolfpac theme for his Hollywood Hogan character while in WCW. He also used Voodoo Child (Slight Return) by Jimi Hendrix for when he entered as Hollywood Hogan in WCW and for his Hollywood Hulk Hogan character in WWE after the WWE nWo was disbanded. Towards the end of his last WWE run, he wore a mask and was known by the name Mr. America, once again making his entrance to Real American. Upon his return in 2005 for the WWE Hall of Fame induction before WrestleMania 21 and subsequent appearances he also uses Real American. WWE has subsequently dubbed over Voodoo Child in recent video footage to avoid paying out royaltes for the use of the song. Ironically, this is no more apparent than on the recent DVD release of Wrestlemania XIX, where Voodoo Child can still be heard faintly in the background underneath Real American.

Title history

Pre-World Wrestling Federation era
February 1979 – NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title (Southern division)
Defeated Ox Baker (as Terry Boulder) – Alabama
Lost to Austin Idol on June 20, 1979 – Mobile, Alabama
December 1, 1979 – NWA Southeast Heavyweight Title (Northern division)
Defeated Dick Slater (as Sterling Golden) – Knoxville, Tennessee
Lost to Bob Armstrong on December 25, 1979 – Knoxville, Tennessee

April 18, 1982 – AWA World Heavyweight Championship
Defeated Nick Bockwinkel (as “Incredible” Hulk Hogan) – Saint Paul, Minnesota
April 24, 1983 – AWA World Heavyweight Championship (2)
Defeated Nick Bockwinkel (as “Incredible” Hulk Hogan) – Saint Paul, Minnesota
NOTE (1) :The first decision was reversed by AWA President Stanley Blackburn for hitting the champ with an illegal object.
NOTE (2) :The second decision was also reversed by Stanley Blackburn, due to Hogan throwing Bockwinkel over the top rope during the match, which was against AWA rules at the time.

Both of these rulings were overturned on April 4, 2005 by the AWA, who recognized Hogan as a two-time former champion.

June 2, 1983 – IWGP Heavyweight Title
Defeated Antonio Inoki by knockout in tournament final – Tokyo
Lost to Antonio Inoki by countout on June 14, 1984
NOTE (3) : Hogans reign as the WWE Undisputed Championship (considered his sixth overall WWF/E title reign), can be considered as an 8th WCW title reign, as the title, rechristened simply as the World championship, was a component of this title.

Awards
* Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # 1 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003. He was also ranked twice in the best tag teams of the PWI Years. He was # 44 with Antonio Inoki and # 57 with Randy Savage.
* Hogan also won numerous PWI Awards over the years. He won Most Inspirational Wrestler in 1983 and 1999. He won Comeback of the Year in 1994 and 2002. He won Most Popular Wrestler of the Year in 1985, 1989, and 1990. He won Wrestler of the Year in 1987, 1991, and 1994. He won Most Hated Wrestler of the Year in 1996 and 1998 while he was with the nWo. He was involved in the Match of the Year in 1985 (with Mr. T vs. Paul Orndorff & Roddy Piper at WrestleMania), 1988 (vs. André the Giant on NBC), 1990 (vs. Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI) and 2002 (vs. The Rock at WrestleMania X8). He was involved in the Feud of the Year in 1986 (vs. Paul Orndorff).

Wrestling Observer Newsletter
* He is a member of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (inducted in 1996).
* 1982 Best Babyface
* 1983 Best Babyface
* 1984 Best Babyface
* 1985 Best Babyface
* 1985 Most Charismatic Wrestler
* 1985 Most Overrated Wrestler
* 1986 Best Babyface
* 1986 Feud of the Year (vs Paul Orndorff)
* 1986 Most Charismatic Wrestler
* 1986 Most Overrated Wrestler
* 1987 Best Babyface
* 1987 Most Charismatic Wrestler
* 1988 Best Babyface
* 1989 Best Babyface
* 1989 Most Charismatic Wrestler
* 1990 Best Babyface
* 1990 Most Charismatic Wrestler
* 1991 Best Babyface
* 1991 Most Charismatic Wrestler
* 1994 Most Overrated Wrestler
* 1995 Most Overrated Wrestler
* 1996 Most Overrated Wrestler
* 1997 Best Box Office Draw
* 1997 Most Overrated Wrestler
* 1998 Most Overrated Wrestler