Hulk Hogan

At 70 years old, Hulk Hogan has this physical status:

Terry Gene Bollea (, born August 11, 1953), better known by his ring name as Hulk Hogan, is an American former professional wrestler, actor, television personality, entrepreneur, and musician.

He is widely regarded as one the most popular professional wrestlers of all-time, and is considered to be the most popular wrestler of the 1980s.Hogan began his professional wrestling career in 1977, but gained worldwide recognition after signing for World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1983.

There, his persona as a heroic all-American helped usher in the 1980s professional wrestling boom, where he headlined the first nine editions of WWF's flagship annual event, WrestleMania.

During his initial run, Hogan also won the WWF Championship five times, with his first reign holding the record for the second-longest in company history.

Additionally, he is the first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches, winning in 1990 and 1991. In 1994, he departed the WWF to sign for rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

Hogan subsequently won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship six times, and also holds the record for the longest reign in company history.

In 1996, he adopted the villainous persona of "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, leading the popular New World Order (NWO) stable.

As a result, he became a major figure during the "Monday Night Wars", another boom of mainstream professional wrestling.

Hogan also headlined WCW's annual flagship event Starrcade three times, including the most profitable WCW pay-per-view ever at the event's 1997 edition.Aside from those promotions, Hogan also performed for the American Wrestling Association (AWA), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).

He notably won the original IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and the northern and southern iterations of the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship outside WWE.

He returned to WWE from WCW in 2002, and won the WWE championship for a sixth time, before departing in 2003.

He was inducted individually into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, and he will be inducted for the second time in 2020 as a member of the New World Order alongside fellow former stablemates Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Sean Waltman.During and after wrestling, Hogan had an extensive acting career, beginning with his 1982 antagonist role in Rocky III.

He has starred in several movies (including No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando and Mr. Nanny) and three television shows (Thunder in Paradise, Hogan Knows Best and China, IL), as well as in Right Guard commercials and the video game, Hulk Hogan's Main Event.

He was also the frontman for The Wrestling Boot Band, whose sole record, Hulk Rules, reached #12 on the Billboard Top Kid Audio chart in 1995.

Early life

Terry Eugene Bollea was born in Augusta, Georgia on August 11, 1953, the son of construction foreman Pietro "Peter" Bollea (December 6, 1913 – December 18, 2001) of Italian descent and homemaker and dance teacher Ruth V. (née Moody; 1922 – January 1, 2011) Bollea of Scottish and French descent. When he was one and a half years old, his family moved to Port Tampa, Florida. As a boy, he was a pitcher in Little League Baseball. He attracted scouts from the New York Yankees and the Cincinnati Reds, but an injury ended his baseball career. He began watching professional wrestling at 16 years old. While in high school, he revered Dusty Rhodes, and he regularly attended cards at the Tampa Sportatorium. It was at one of those wrestling cards where he first turned his attention toward Superstar Billy Graham and looked to him for inspiration; since he first saw Graham on TV, Hogan wanted to match his "inhuman" look.

Hogan was also a musician, spending a decade playing fretless bass guitar in several Florida-based rock bands. He went on to study at Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida. After music gigs began to get in the way of his time in college, he dropped out of the University of South Florida. Eventually, Hogan and two local musicians formed a band called Ruckus in 1976. The band soon became popular in the Tampa Bay region. During his spare time, Hogan worked out at Hector's Gym in the Tampa Bay area, where he began lifting. Many of the wrestlers who were competing in the Florida region visited the bars where Ruckus was performing. Among those attending his performances were Jack and Gerald Brisco, two brothers who wrestled together as a tag team in the Florida region.

Impressed by Hogan's physical stature, the Brisco brothers asked Hiro Matsuda—the man who trained wrestlers working for Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF)—to make him a potential trainee. In 1976, the two brothers asked Hogan to try wrestling. Hogan eventually agreed. At first, Mike Graham, the son of CWF promoter Eddie Graham, refused to put Hogan in the ring; according to Hogan, he met Graham while in high school and the two did not get along. After Hogan quit Ruckus and started telling people in town that he was going to be a wrestler, Graham finally agreed to accept the Brisco Brothers' request.

Source

Professional wrestling career

The Brisco brothers dropped by Matsuda's gym to see Hogan in mid-1977 after training for more than a year with Matsuda. During his stay in Hogan, Jack Brisco gave him a pair of wrestling boots and informed him that his first match would be held the following week. Eddie Graham was booked against Brian Blair in Fort Myers, Florida, on August 10, 1977 in CWF, on his debut in professional wrestling. Bollea wore a mask and assumed the persona of "The Super Destroyer," a hooded character first performed by Don Jardine and later used by other wrestlers.

Hiro Matsuda, the trainer who he felt was an overbearing boss, had to leave the CWF and retired from work. Hogan took a hiatus from wrestling and worked The Anchor club, a private club in Cocoa Beach, Florida, for a man named Whitey Bridges after turning down a bid to wrestle for the Kansas City circuit. Whitey and Hogan became close friends and opened a gym together; the gymnasium was then called Whitey and Terry's Olympic gym.

Ed Leslie (later known as Brutus Beefcake) and Hogan's brother Ed Leslie arrived in Cocoa Beach shortly after to assist Hogan and Bridges in the operations of the Anchor Club and the Whitey and Terry's Olympic Gym. Beefcake and Leslie worked out in the gym together, and, eventually, Beefcake developed a muscular physique; Hogan was impressed by Beefcake's physical appearance and became convinced that the two of them should compete together as tag team partners. Hogan, who was devastated and yearning to return to wrestling, hoped that Graham would find a job outside of Florida; Graham agreed and Hogan joined Louie Tillet's Alabama territory shortly after. Leslie, who had yet to become a wrestler, was encouraged by Hogan to join him and promise to teach him everything he learned about the sport.

As Terry and Ed Boulder, also known as the Boulder Brothers, competed in Alabama as Bollea and Leslie. Both men were able to tell a rumor among wrestling fans unaware of Hogan and Leslie's inner workings, as few people knew their names outside of immediate family, relatives, and the various promoters the two fought for these early matches as a tag team. Jerry Jarrett, the promoter for the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA) in Memphis, approached Hogan and Leslie and told them a job in his promotion for $800 a week; this was much more than the $175 a week they would be working for Tillet. Hogan and Leslie accepted this invitation and left Tillet's territory.

During his stay in Memphis, Hogan appeared on a local talk show, where he sat with Lou Ferrigno, star of the television series The Incredible Hulk. Hogan, who weighed 295 pounds with 24-inch biceps, was actually dwarfed by the host, who stood 6 foot (7 inches) and weighed 295 pounds (204 cm) on "The Hulk." Hogan was actually bigger than Ferrigno, who was well-known at the time for having large muscles, while watching the show backstage. Bollea began as Terry "The Hulk" Boulder, and later wrestled as Sterling Golden.

Bollea claimed his first professional wrestling title (Northern Division), which was contested in Alabama and Tennessee, on December 1, 1979, when he defeated Bob Roop in Knoxville, Tennessee. In January 1980, he sold it to Bob Armstrong. He appeared in the Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) from September to December 1979 as Sterling Golden.

The company's founder/promoter, Vincent J. McMahon, was captivated by his charisma and physical stature late in the year. Bollea was given the last name Hogan by McMahon, who also wanted him to dye his hair red, and McMahon, who wanted to use an Irish name, gave Bollea the last name Hogan. By that time, Hogan's hair was already falling out, and he refused to dye it, but he replied, "I'll be a blond Irish." On November 17, Hogan defeated Harry Valdez in his first match in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He made his first appearance at Madison Square Garden, defeating Ted DiBiase after a bearhug. Hogan thanked DiBiase for handing him over and told him that he "owed him one," a pledge he repaid during DiBiase's second stint with the company in the late 1980s and early 1990s as "The Million Dollar Man." McMahon appointed Hogan as a chaperone and tour guide, while Hogan's former tag team champion Tony Altomare was given as a chaperone and tour guide. Hogan took on Bob Backlund for the WWF Heavyweight Championship, starting his first big fight with André the Giant in August 1980. Freddie Blassie, a wrestler-turned-manager, was paired with Hogan in his first run as a villain in the WWF.

Hogan appeared in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where Japanese wrestling fans referred to him as "Ichiban" (literally "Number One") in 1980. Hogan first appeared on May 13, 1980, when he was still with the WWF. He toured the region for the next few years, facing a number of rivals, from Tatsumi Fujinami to Abdullah the Butcher to Abdullah the Butcher. Hogan had a massive repertoire of wrestling moves when competing in Japan, relying on more advanced, traditional wrestling holds and maneuvers as opposed to the power-based, brawling style that American audiences became used to seeing from him. In addition, Hogan used the Axe Bomber, a crooked arm lariat, as his finisher in Japan rather than the running leg drop that has been his usual finisher in America. Hogan made appearances for the WWF, as well as unsuccessfully challenging Pedro Morales for the Intercontinental Championship on March 26, 1981. Hogan became the first International Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP) champion and the first holder of an early version of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on June 2, 1983, defeating Antonio Inoki in the finals of a ten-man tournament. Since then, this championship has been held annually against the year's winner of the IWGP Championship before it was overturned by the new IWGP Heavyweight Championship, which is also defended regularly.

Hogan and Inoki won the MSG (Madi Square Garden) tournament in Japan two years in a row: in 1982 and 1983. After winning Inoki in the IWGP finals in 1984, Hogan returned to NJPW to face Inoki to defend the early version of the IWGP Championship, becoming the first no. There is only one of the candidates for the title. Due to Riki Choshu's interference, Hogan lost the match and title belt by countout. Hogan defended his WWF World Heavyweight Championship against Seiji Sakaguchi and Fujinami, among other things, before returning to Inoki on June 13 in a championship match for the early version of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Hogan was the only challenger in the tournament's history to win the No. 1. The championship will be contested by a one-of-the-Fest.

Hogan made his debut in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), which is owned by Verne Gagne, after filming his scene for Rocky III against the elder McMahon's wishes. Hogan began his AWA career as a villain, taking on "Luscious" Johnny Valiant as his boss. This did not last long as the AWA followers fell in love with Hogan's presence, and Hogan became the top fan favorite of the AWA, battling the Heenan Family and Nick Bockwinkel.

Following a pinfall loss to Brad Rheingans in August, Hogan's comeback as a fan favorite began in July 1981, when the actor, Jerry Blackwell, began beating down Rheingans and politely fighting anyone who attempted to run in for the money. Hogan came in, took the upper hand, and ran Blackwell from the ring. Hogan was eventually victorious in his Blackwell feud, and he was able to win his first championship matches against Bockwinkel by 1981.

After purchasing the company from his father in 1982, Vincent K. McMahon wanted to expand the territory into a national marketing, and he selected Hogan to be the company's showpiece attraction due to his charisma and name recognition. Hogan was back on television taping in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 27, 1983, defeating Bill Dixon.

Hogan saved Bob Backlund from a three-way assault by The Wild Samoans on January 7, 1984. Backlund explained Hogan's turn: "He's changed his ways." He's a natural performer. Blassie isn't coming to visit Blassie, not gonna have him around, and he's told me he's not going to have her around. Hogan won his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship in Madison Square Garden less than three weeks later on January 23, defeating Blassie in his corner) in his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan was a "last minute" replacement for the Sheik's original challenger Bob Backlund, and the champion was made the champion by virtue of being the first man to escape the camel clutch (the Iron Sheik's winning move).

"Hulkamania is here," Gorilla Monsoon said immediately after winning the title. In his interviews and introduced his three "demandments": exercise, saying prayers, and eating vitamins, Hogan often referred to his followers as "Hulkamaniacs." Eventually, a fourth demandment (believing in oneself) was added during his 1990 feud with Earthquake. Hogan's ring gear incorporated a classic yellow-and-red color scheme; his ring entrances involved him ritualistically ripping his shirt off his body, flexing, and cheering for audience applause in an exaggerated manner. The bulk of Hogan's matches during this period featured him wrestling heels who had been advertised as unstoppable creatures and played as a near-routine: He continued to attack but ultimately falter, clearly nearing defeat. After being struck by his opponent's finishing move, he got a second wind, battling back and "feeding" the audience's enthusiasm, becoming ineffective to attack. His signature moves – pointing at the enemy (who is followed by a yell's "you" – appear. The audience can range from scolding him to scolding him, three punches, an Irish whip, the big boot, and running leg drop followed by victory. The ending sequence could vary depending on the plot and the villain; for instance, with "giant" wrestlers, it could include a body slam.

Hogan's character and that of The Incredible Hulk resulted in a 10-year lawsuit between Titan Sports, Marvel Comics, and himself, wherein Marvel did not say "Incredible" or simply "Hulk" or even "Hulkamania" would no longer refer to him. On top of that, Marvel also earned 0.9 percent of reported gross merchandise sales associated with Hogan, $100 for each of his games, and 10% of Titan's share of his other income under this name (or 10% of the amount if Titan had no interest). This was extended to WCW, whose parent company, Turner Broadcasting System, merged with Time Warner in 1996 and became sister companies with Marvel competitor DC Comics. (As Hogan was well underway with the nWo storyline under the "Hollywood Hogan" ring name at the time, this avoided Time Warner from being paid Marvel the rights to the name while still owning its chief competitor.) When a wrestler resembling Hogan was thrown through an arena roof by The Incredible Hulk in 1988, he "picked the wrong name."

Hogan pushed the WWF into a pop culture business with The Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection on MTV, bringing record houses, pay-per-view buyrates, and TV ratings in the process over the next year. As "Cowboy" Bob Orton, his oldest brother, television and film actor, almost caused his team's loss by knocking out Orndorff with his arm cast in a shot meant for Hogan, the team's centerpiece at the first WrestleMania tournament on March 31, 1985. Hogan successfully defended the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against Orton on Saturday Night in a match that Hogan won by disqualification.

For the Make-a-Wish Foundation children's charity, Hogan was named the most coveted celebrity of the 1980s. He was featured on Sports Illustrated (the first and only professional wrestler to do so), TV Guide, and People magazines, as well as appearing on The Tonight Show and his own CBS Saturday morning cartoon titled "Rock 'n' Wrestling" by Hulk Hogan. In the first eight WrestleMania events, Hogan, as the premier WWF figure, headlined seven of the first eight events. During this lucrative run, he also co-hosted Saturday Night Live on March 30, 1985. The 900 number information line he ran with the WWF from 1991 to 1993 was the single largest 900 number in AT&T's history, according to AT&T. After joining World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Hogan continued to run a 900 number.

He successfully defended the title against Nikolai Volkoff in a flag match on Saturday Night in Main Event II. In a WWF championship match at the Wrestling Classic pay-per-view (PPV) tournament, he met longtime competitor Roddy Piper. After Bob Orton interfered and hit Hogan with his cast, Hogan retained the title by disqualification. As the new year started, Hogan had several challengers in the way. Throughout 1986, Hogan made strong title defenses against opponents including Terry Funk, Don Muraco, King Kong Bundy (in a steel cage match at WrestleMania 2), Paul Orndorff, and Hercules Hernandez.

In the fall of 1986, Hogan occasionally competed in tag team matches with The Machines as the Hulk Machine under a mask that was based on NJPW's "Super Strong Machine." Hogan was scheduled to defend the WrestleMania III in 1987, defeating André the Giant, who had been the sport's best player for the previous fifteen years. In early 1987, a new storyline was introduced; Hogan was awarded a troph for being the WWF World Heavyweight Champion for three years in a row. André the Giant, Hogan's most devoted friend, came out to thank him. André was awarded a slightly smaller trophy for being "undefeated in the WWF for 15 years" shortly afterward. Hogan came out to honor André, who walked out in the middle of Hogan's address. Then was confronted by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who announced that André was his new protégé, and Hogan, who announced that Hogan was his new protégé, and the Hogans were subsequently challenged to a championship match against André the Giant in the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. During the match, Hogan hit a body slam on the 520-pound André (which was dubbed "the bodyslam heard around the world") and won the match after a leg drop.

Hogan was the WWF World Heavyweight Champion for four years (1,474 days). Hogan eventually lost the match to André on The Main Event I after a lengthy drama involving "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and Earl Hebner (who assumed the place of his twin brother Dave Hebner, the match's designated referee) in front of 33 million viewers). Hebner counted the pin after André made a belly to belly scream on Hogan, but Hogan's left shoulder was undoubtedly off the mat. André was able to give the title to DiBiase after the match to complete their company deal. As a result, the WWF World Heavyweight Championship was cancelled for the first time in its 25-year history because, according to WWF President Jack Tunney, the tournament could not be sold from one wrestler to another. Hogan appeared in a tournament for the vacant WWF World Heavyweight Championship in order to recover it; he and André were granted a bye into the quarter-finals, but their match culminated in a double disqualification. Hogan arrived on ringside later that night to prevent André interfering, which helped "Macho Man" Randy Savage defeat Ted DiBiase to win the title.

Hogan, Savage, and Miss Elizabeth, the Mega Powers' founder, formed a team known as The Mega Powers. Savage became the first WWF World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania IV, battling them with The Mega Bucks (André the Giant and Ted DiBiase) and defeating them in the main event of the first SummerSlam. They then clashed with Slick's Twin Towers, Akeem and Big Boss Man.

In mid-1988, Hogan wrestled at home shows in singles competition with his "War Bonnet," a red and yellow gladiator helmet with a fist-shaped crest. This was notably used to deny Bad News Brown his first WWF defeat at a Madison Square Garden house show before it was entirely deleted. In the WWE's online comedy series Are You Serious? the War Bonnet gimmick was revisited. In 2012, there were no such things in the United Kingdom.

Due to Savage's growing jealousy of Hogan and his growing suspicions that Hogan and Elizabeth were more than friends. Hogan dropped Savage from the Royal Rumble match in 1989, but Bad News Brown, which caused confusion, was only defeated by The Twin Towers himself. The pair broke up when wrestling The Twin Towers on The Main Event II in early 1989, when Savage mistakenly collided with Miss Elizabeth during the match, and Hogan took her backstage to receive medical attention, briefly abandoning Savage, who slapped Hogan and left the match by himself. Savage assaulted Hogan backstage during the match, sparking a feud between the two teams. Hogan defeated Savage for his second WWF World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania V.

Hogan's second run in 1989 lasted a year, during which he defended the title in two matches against Savage in April and then lost both times by count-out before defeating The Big Boss Man in a steel cage match on Saturday Night's Main Event XXI, which was broadcast on May 27. Hogan retained the title by losing by count-out against Savage in May on WWF on NESN. This was also the last time the WWF World Heavyweight Championship was referred to as such during a televised title defense by Hogan, as the event's new name, which was simply the WWF Championship, was renamed and referred to as the WWF Championship. During Hogan's second reign as champion, he starred in the film No Holds Barred, which was the inspiration for Tom Lister, Jr., who appeared in wrestling scenes as his film villain and demanded revenge). During late 1989, Hogan defeated Zeus and Savage in a series of matches around the country, beginning with a tag team match at SummerSlam in which Hogan and Brutus Beefcake defeated Zeus and Savage. At the Survivor Series, Hogan and Zeus met with the "Million Dollar Team"; in the early part of the match, Hogan tossed Zeus over by hitting him with everything but no effect; until Zeus was disqualified by referee Dave Hebner, who was disqualified. In a rematch at No Holds Barred's pay-per-view match, Hogan and Beefcake defeated Zeus and Savage to put an end to the feud. In their official WrestleMania rematch in the United Kingdom-only pay-per-view First WWF UK Event at London Arena, Hogan had defeated Savage to keep the WWF Championship. Hogan won the 1990 Royal Rumble match before losing to Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior in a title versus title match at WrestleMania VI on April 1, 1990.

Hogan soon became embroiled in a tense rivalry with the 468-pound Earthquake, who had crushed Hogan's ribs in a sneak attack on The Brother Love Show in May 1990. Hogan's injury and his WrestleMania VI loss to Warrior, as well as his battling spirit, meant he wanted to retire, and he had to return on television. Viewers were encouraged to write letters to Hogan and send postcards in exchange for his return (they received a postcard-sized picture in return, autographed by Hogan as a "thank you"). Hogan returned to Earthquake in a series of tournaments around the country in SummerSlam, and he ruled the Earthquake for several months. Hogan's defiance of this largely successful rival prompted him to make a fourth demand, putting faith in yourself, and he later became known as "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan. As he defeated the 1991 Royal Rumble match, Hogan became the first wrestler to win two Royal Rumble matches in a row. Hogan made a stand for the United States against Sgt. Slaughter was defeated for his third WWF Championship before defeating him again in the rematch between the United Kingdom and England's pay-per-view UK Rampage at London Arena, defeating him again. Hogan was defeated by Ric Flair, the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion who sadly retired in the WWF in 1991. At Survivor Series, Hogan lost the WWF Championship to The Undertaker. Hogan was immediately granted a rematch at This Tuesday in Texas six days after he won. Flair had interfered in both matches, and the title was later declared vacant due to the ongoing debate. The WWF Championship was determined at the 1992 Royal Rumble match, but Hogan was unable to return the crown after being ruled out by a friend Sid Justice, who then forced Sid to be banned, leaving Flair as the champion and new champion. On Saturday Night's Big Event XXX, Hogan and Sid repaired their match and teamed up, but Sid and Flair and Undertaker broke up, but Sid abandoned Hogan, sparking their feud. Hogan defeated Sid via disqualification at WrestleMania VIII, owing to Sid's manager Harvey Wippleman's interference. Hogan was then attacked by Papa Shango and saved by the returning Ultimate Warrior.

At this time, news outlets began to suspect that Dr. George Zahorian, a Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission scientist, was illegally selling steroids to wrestlers in general and Hogan in particular. Hogan denied the charges on an episode of The Arsenio Hall Show to deny them. Hogan took a leave of absence from the company as a result of intense public scrutiny. In February 1993, Hogan returned to the WWF to help out his buddy Brutus Beefcake in his rivalry with Money Inc. (Irwin R. Schyster and "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase), and officially renaming themselves The Mega-Maniacs as their boss, the first time WWF fans had seen Hart as a fan favorite. Money Inc. faced Money Inc. in the WWF Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania IX, Hogan, and Beefcake. Hogan wore a black eye throughout the game. In a failed attempt to arrest Hogan before WrestleMania, the WWF used his injuries to create a storyline. Hogan won his fifth WWF Championship by defeating Yokozuna just moments after Yokozuna defeated Bret Hart.

In his first title defense since defeating him at WrestleMania IX, Hogan defended the title against the former champion Yokozuna. Yokozuna came out of Hogan's signature leg drop and netted the pinfall victory after Hogan was blinded by a fireball shot from a "Japanese photographer" (actually a disguised Harvey Wippleman). Hogan was given a Banzai Drop by the victors of Yokozuna. This was Hogan's last WWF pay-per-view appearance before 2002, as both he and Jimmy Hart were planning to leave the service. Hogan continued his rivalry with Yokozuna until August 1993. Hogan left the remainder of his deal, which came later this year.

In a dream match at Wrestling Dontaku, Hogan returned to NJPW as the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and defeated IWGP Heavyweight Champion The Great Muta. On September 26, 1993, Hogan wrestled against Muta for the second time, this time under his real name (Keiji Mutoh). With Muta and Masahiro Chono as his tag team members, Hogan also wrestled The Hell Raisers. On January 4, 1994 at Battlefield, he defeated Tatsumi Fujinami in his last match in Japan.

Hogan appeared on WCW television as interviewer Gene Okerlund, who later became a WCW employee, visited him on the set of Thunder in Paradise episodes in March 1994. The debate then evolved over whether Hogan should stay with Thunder in Paradise or instead join WCW and have the opportunity to wrestle Ric Flair. Hogan resigned his Thunder in Paradise contract on the May 28, 1994 edition of WCW Saturday Night, and Omar Alvarez announced that he would return to wrestling and return to wrestling. Query: How can people watch Hogan in WCW? In a ceremony held at Disney-MGM Studios on June 11, 1994, Hogan officially signed with Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Hogan claimed the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in his debut match, defeating Ric Flair in a "dream match" at Bash at the Beach next month, with Jimmy Hart as his boss. Hogan continued his feud with Flair (who defeated him by counting out on Clash of the Champions XVIII, retaining the title), which culminated in a steel cage match (with Flair's career on the line and Mr. T as the special guest referee) that Hogan won) until he defeated him (with Hogan winning).

After Hogan headlined WCW's top annual event Starrcade (Starrcade: Triple Threat) in December 1994 by defeating The Butcher for the title, his next rivalry was against Valiant, who fought him for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in Brewery, where Hogan defeated him by disqualification due to returning Flair's interference. In a non-title leather strap match at Uncensored, Hogan defeated Valiant (who was only controlled by Flair) in a non-title leather strap match at Uncensored. Hogan's feud with Vader culminated in a steel cage fight at Bash, where Hogan took the title by escaping the cage after the controversial conclusion caused by Flair at Uncensored. After successfully retaining the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Big Bubba Rogers and Lex Luger in two separate matches on Nitro in September 1995, the WCW World Heavyweight Championship was retained. Hogan's first appearance in all-black attire was on October 9, 1995. Hogan feuded with The Dungeon of Doom, which culminated in a warGames match between Hogan and his squad (Lex Luger, Randy Savage, and Sting) that culminated. Hogan's fifteen-month championship reign (the longest WCW World Heavyweight Championship reign in the championship's history at 469 days) came to an end when he lost the WCW World Heavyweight Championship to The Giant at Halloween Havoc through disqualification.

Following the tumultuous loss (which was due to a "contract clause"), the WCW World Heavyweight Championship became vacant and a new champion would be crowned in a 60-man three-ring battle royal at World War III, where The Giant cost Hogan the money. At SuperBrawl VI, Hogan and The Giant met in a steel cage match, where Hogan defeated Hogan to bring an end to their feud. In early 1996, Hogan revived The Mega Powers with Randy Savage to compete against The Alliance to Save Hulkamania, which culminated at Uncensored in a Doomsday Cage match that Hogan and Savage won. Hogan began to appear on WCW shows only on occasion after being victorious from his feuds.

Hogan intervened on behalf of Nash and Hall during a six-man tag team match pitting The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall) against WCW loyalists, resulting in them turning away for the first time in nearly fifteen years. Hogan unveiled a promo after the match, accosting the fans and the WCW for under-appreciating his ability and drawing power, as well as the unveiling of the New World Order (nWo). In the weeks and months that followed, the new stable gained traction. Hogan, a beard and dyed it black, exchanged his red and yellow garb for black and white clothing, often with lightning bolts, and renamed himself "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan (oftenshortened to Hollywood Hogan). At Hog Wild, Hogan won his second WCW World Heavyweight Championship, defeating The Giant for the title. He spray painted "nWo" across the title belt, scribbled across the nameplate, and referred to the title as the "nWo" in the title. After Luger and The Giant defeated Hogan and Dennis Rodman in a tag team match at Bash at the Beach, Hogan and Lex Luger reignited feud with Lex Luger.

Hogan lost the title to Lex Luger by submission on August 4, 1997. Hogan defeated Luger 5 days later at Road Wild to regain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. In a match at Starrcade, Hogan lost the title to Sting. Bret Hart, a newly hired Bret Hart, accused referee Nick Patrick of fast-counting for Hogan and saw the match restarted – with himself as referee. Sting was later awarded by submission. The WCW World Heavyweight Championship became vacant following a rematch on Nitro the next night, where Sting controversially retained the title. Sting went on to win the vacant title against Hogan at SuperBrawl VIII, and Hogan then feuded with former friend (and new nWo recruit) Randy Savage, who had just cost Hogan the championship match at SuperBrawl by hitting him with a spray can. At Uncensored, the feud culminated in a no contest. In the first-ever bat match, Savage took the WCW World Heavyweight Championship from Sting at Spring Stampede, while Hogan and Kevin Nash team up against Roddy Piper and The Giant.

Hogan deterred Nash by attacking him with the bat and then challenged Savage on Nitro for the world championship the next night. Nash charged Hogan with a powerbomb on him as revenge for the assault the previous night, but Bret Hart intervened moments later to beat Savage and keep the match alive. Hogan earned his fourth WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Nash's blow sparked the division of the nWo into two distinct groups – Hogan's split Hogan's became nWo Hollywood and Nash's became nWo Wolfpact, which feuded with each other for the remainder of the year. Hogan defended the title until July, when WCW booked him in a match against newcomer and then WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Goldberg, who had yet to lose a match in the company. Hogan was disengaged by Karl Malone late in the game, while Goldberg pinned Hogan to victory in the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.

Hogan spent the remainder of 1998 wrestling matches with Dennis Rodman as their second tag team rivalry against Diamond Dallas Page and Karl Malone at Bash on the beach, and his second friend, Eric Bischoff, lost to Page and Jay Leno due to Kevin Eubanks' interference. At Halloween Havoc, where his nephew Horace helped him win.

Hogan resigned from professional wrestling, as well as his bid for President of the United States, on the Thanksgiving episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. On Nitro, a campaign video of Hogan and Bischoff holding a press conference made it seem legitimate. Both reports were inaccurate and made as publicity stunts to reclaim some of Jesse Ventura's Minnesota gubernatorial triumph. Hogan returned from WCW's January 4, 1999, episode of Nitro to face Kevin Nash in the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, a fifth title match for Hogan, but many commentators deemed the title change to be "scandalous." As a result, the warring factions of the nWo united into a coalition, which began feuding with Goldberg and The Four Horsemen.

In a steel cage First Blood match, Hogan defeated Ric Flair at Uncensored. Later today, Hogan was seriously wounded in a Texas tornado match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship starring him, Diamond Dallas Page, Flair, and Sting at Spring Stampede for the first time in three years, and he accepted a challenge from Savage, who had won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Bash on Saturday night, defeating Kevin Nash in a tag team match. Hogan defeated Savage to win his sixth and final WCW World Heavyweight Championship, thanks to Nash's interference. Nash turned on him the next week, and the two friends developed a rivalry that lasted until Road Wild.

Hogan began the evening dressed in the traditional black and white, but after a backstage scene with his son, he came out dressed in the traditional red and yellow for his main event six-man tag team match. Hogan then defeated Nash in a retirement match at Road Wild to keep the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Injuries and resentments have grown, and he was absent from television from October 1999 to February 2000. Bollea's book Hollywood Hulk Hogan said he was invited to take time off by the newly recruited head of creative booking Vince Russo, but he was not informed when he would return to work. Despite some reservations, he resolved to do so. Hogan would face Sting for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on October 24 at Halloween Havoc. Hogan appeared in street clothes, lay down for the pin, and left the ring.

Hogan joined Bash at the Beach in February 2000, soon after his return to February, 2000, was involved in a turbulent collaboration with Vince Russo. Hogan was supposed to face Jeff Jartt in the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. There was a backstage feud between Hogan and Russo, but Russo claimed that Jarvist would win, but Hogan would lose it to Booker T. Russo, simulating a true fight, but Jartt was not informed it was a work. Jartt lay down in the middle of the fight, while Russo threw the WCW World Heavyweight Championship belt in the ring and yelled at Hogan from ringside to pin Jar Jartt. After getting on the microphone and telling Russo, "Is this your idea Russo?" he mumbled, a visibly frightened Hogan complied with a foot on Jarson's chest. Because of bullshit like this," the company is in such bad shape it is. Hogan took the WCW World Heavyweight Championship after winning and being proclaimed the new WCW World Heavyweight Champion right away. Russo returned to the ring moments later, adamantly announcing that this would be the last time fans would see "that piece of shit" in a WCW stadium. This is also when the public learned about Hogan's "creative control" clause, which meant he could control what would happen with his own character without anyone else telling him no. Russo said he was arguing with Hogan all day because he wanted to use the word in the Jart match and beats Jeff Jarrett!" in his Bash at the Beach shootout video. Since Hogan refused to work in Jartt, a new WCW World Heavyweight Championship was launched, setting the stage for a championship match between Booker T and Jartt later that night.

As a result, Hogan brought a defamation of character lawsuit against Russo soon after, but it was ultimately dismissed in 2002. Russo says the whole thing was a piece of art, but Hogan insists Russo called it a shot. When Eric Bischoff wrote that Hogan triumphing and releasing the belt was a work (devastated rather than Russo), he and Hogan congratulated the occasion over the angle's triumph, but Hogan filed a complaint leading to Hogan's firing. It was the last time he had been seen in WCW.

Hogan underwent knee surgery in March 2001 to prepare him for his first appearance. As a test, Hogan played a match in Orlando, Florida, for the Xcitement Wrestling Federation (XWF) promotion run by his longtime handler Jimmy Hart. In this match, Hogan defeated Curt Hennig and felt well enough to accept an invitation to return to the WWF in February 2002.

Hogan returned to the WWF as a heel after No Way Out in February 2002. The three guys, as leader of the original nWo with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, collided with The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin lost a match against Chris Jericho in the main event. Both Austin and The Rock fought, and Hogan accepted The Rock's challenge to a match at WrestleMania X8, where Hogan ordered Hall and Nash not to interfere in an attempt to depose The Rock by himself. Despite the fact that Hogan was supposed to be the heel of the game, the audience erupted in praise. The Rock notably won the competition, befriended Hogan at the end of the match, and aided him in getting rid of Hall and Nash, who were enraged by Hogan's conciliatory demeanor. Hogan changed sides with The Rock, but he kept wearing black and white tights for a few weeks after wrestling WrestleMania X8 until he returned wearing his signature red and yellow tights. The "Hulk Rules" logo of the 1980s was redesigned, and Hogan wore the original "Hulk Rules" clothing twelve years ago as he headlined WrestleMania VI at the SkyDome. For a time, he was still known as "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, particularly with black hairstyle, wearing Hulkamania-like red and yellow tights and using the "Voo Child" entrance theme tune he used in WCW, especially in black. On the 4th episode of SmackDown!, Hogan feuded with Triple H and defeated him for the Undisputed WWF Championship at Backlash, making him the last ever WWF champion before the originals controversy against the World Wildlife Fund.

Hogan lost the WWE Undisputed Championship to The Undertaker on May 19 on Judgment Day. After losing a number one contender match for the WWE Undisputed Championship to Triple H on June 6, Hogan began feuding with Kurt Angle, resulting in a match between the two teams at the King of the Ring, which Angle won by submission. Hogan teammate Edge defeated Billy and Chuck on July 4 for the first time on SmackDown! When the adoring audience sang along to Hogan's theme song "Real American," they celebrated by waving the American flag. At Vengeance, the Un-Americans (Christian and Lance Storm) lost the belts. In August 2002, Hogan was seen in a connection with Brock Lesnar, culminating in a major event singles match that Lesnar won by technical forfeiture (the match was called after Hogan became unconscious from a bear hug hold). Lesnar was the second WWE wrestler to beat Hogan by submission (after Kurt Angle) and the first to defeat Hogan by being called out of action. Lesnar continued to defeat Hogan after the match, leaving him bloody and unconscious in the ring.

Hogan went on hiatus until early 2003, shaveing off his black beard and removing "Hollywood" from his name in his debut as a result of Lesnar's assault. In a street fight billed as "twenty years in the making," Hogan defeated The Rock (who had turned heel) at No Way Out and defeated Mr. McMahon. He had a shot at WrestleMania as the masked Mr. America, who had been disguised as Hogan in disguise, wearing a mask. He used Hogan's "Real American" as an entrance theme, as well as all of Hogan's signature gestures, moves, and terms. He was the subject of a storyline that unfolded after Hogan was compelled to suspend the remainder of his employment by Mr. McMahon. During SmackDown, a WWE pre-debutant campaign took place, with a cryptic Mr. America promo running for weeks! SmackDown also had on-screen discussions! Stephanie McMahon, the then-general manager of the United States, and others concerned with her selection Mr. America "is sight unseen." Mr. America made his SmackDown debut on May 1, 2010! Piper's Pit segment is a Pit segment. McMahon appeared and said that Mr. America was Hogan disguised; Mr. America was not Hulk Hogan, brother," Mr. America replied, saying, "I am not Hulk Hogan, brother!" (lampooning Hogan's use of the word "brother" in his advertisements). Mr. America and Roddy Piper at Judgment Day continued their feud into the month of May, with a singles match between Mr. America and Hogan's old adversary Roddy Piper, which Mr. America won.

On the last WWE appearance on SmackDown on June 26, Mr. America's last WWE appearance was on the show "SmackDown" episode. In a six-man tag team match, Big Show and The World's Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) defeated Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, and Mr. America. Mr. America was actually Hogan, putting his finger to his lips, advising the viewers that he should not reveal his identity after the show went off the air. Hogan resigned from WWE this week due to his dissatisfaction with the company's creative team. McMahon brought you the video of Mr. America unmasking as Hogan and "fired" him on July 3 of SmackDown!, although Hogan had already departed in real life. After his return to Mr. America gimmick, Hogan was dissatisfied with the payoffs for his matches. In 2003, McMahon sacked Hogan's employment.

Hogan returned to NJPW in October 2003, when he stunned Masahiro Chono at Ultimate Crush II in the Tokyo Dome.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), a division of WWE, began making overtures to Hogan, culminating in Jeff Jartt, co-founder of TNA and then NWA World Heavyweight Champion, in Japan in October 2003. At TNA's first three-hour pay-per-view, the assault was believed to be a precursor to Hogan's vs. Jartt for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan did not appear in TNA due to recurring knee and hip pains. Despite this, the incident has been seen on TNA television broadcasts several times, and it was included in the TNA's Best Moments collection.

Hogan was inducted into the 2005 WWE Hall of Fame class by actor and colleague Sylvester Stallone on April 2, 2005. At WrestleMania 21 on April 3, Hogan came out to save Eugene, who had been attacked by Muhammad Hassan and Khosrow Daivari. On the first season of Hogan Knows Best, the build-up to Hogan's Hall of Fame induction and preparation for his WrestleMania role was shown. Shawn Michaels, a fan favorite, was up next on Raw, Hassan, and Daivari. Michaels called Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff and requested a handicap match against Hassan and Daivari the following week. Bischoff denied, but told Michaels that if he found a partner, he would be able to play a tag team match. Michaels then plead for Hogan to work with him. On the April 18 episode of Raw, Hassan led an assault on Michaels before Hogan appeared, saving Michaels and accepting his offer. Hassan and Daivari lost to Hogan and Michaels at Backlash.

On July 4 episode of Raw as the special guest of Carlito on his talk-show segment Carlito's Cabana. Hogan assaulted Carlito after being asked questions about his daughter Brooke. Kurt Angle was then seen making remark about Brooke, which angered Hogan, who was then double teamed by Carlito and Angle, but Shawn Michaels saved him. Michaels and Hogan defeated Carlito and Angle in a tag team match later that night; during the post-match celebration, Michaels performed the Sweet Chin Music on Hogan and walked away. Michaels appeared on Piper's Pit next week and begged Hogan to face him one-on-one for the first time. Hogan appeared on Raw one week later and accepted the challenge. Hogan won the match at SummerSlam. Michaels extended his hand to him after the match, reminding him that he "had to find out for himself," and Hogan and Michaels shook hands as Michaels left the ring to welcome Hogan to celebrate with the crowd.

Hogan inducted friend and former announcer "Mean" Gene Okerlund into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2006. Hogan and his daughter Brooke attended the Main Event XXIII on Saturday Night. Randy Orton kayfabe flirted with Brooke and then assaulted Hogan in the parking lot. Hogan later defeated Hogan in a match at SummerSlam, which Hogan won.

Hogan was lured to Memphis Wrestling with the promise of wrestling Jerry Lawler following a brief fall out with McMahon and WWE. For several months, the match had been on Memphis Wrestling Prime Time. WWE had barred him from wrestling Hogan because NBC stars (including Lawler) were strictly forbidden from appearing on VH1, the channel on which Hogan Knows Best airs. Event promoter Corey Maclin brought a lawsuit against WWE. Paul Wight replaced Lawler. Following his signature running leg injury, Hogan defeated Wight at Memphis Wrestling's Prime Minister Clash of Legends on April 27, 2007. He woke up and struck a body slam on Wight before pinning him.

Spartan-3000, Heidenreich, Eugene, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, and Orlando Jordan all traveled throughout Australia on November 21, 24, 26, 28, 28, 28 and 28. Let the Battle Begin. The main event of each show was a rematch between Hogan and Ric Flair – the wrestler who defeated Hogan more times than any other. In all four matches, Hogan defeated Flair.

Hogan had signed a full-time deal with TNA on October 27, 2009. On the October 29 episode of Impact!, the video of his signing and the press conference at Madison Square Garden following it were included.

In a special live three-hour edition of Impact, Hogan announced on December 5, 2009 that he would make his official TNA debut on January 4, 2010. To compete on WWE's Raw (which featured Bret Hart's return to the sport).

Hogan debuted on Impact! on January 4th, reuniting briefly with former nWo colleagues Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Sean Waltman, the latter two of whom joined the organization for the first time. He refused to attend a full-fledged reunion of their company, saying, "it's a different time" and retorting Bischoff's business relations that will require them to "flip the company upside down" and everyone will need to earn their jobs. On the show, Hogan met TNA founder Jeff Jarrett, who appeared on television and interrupted Jarrett's company's triumph, and said that Carter was central to the company's longevity, and that, as the rest, Jarrett would need to (kayfabe) gain his position in TNA.

On the February 18 episode of Impact!, Hogan took Abyss under his wing, and during this sequence, he gifted him his Hall of Fame ring, which he said would make him a "god of wrestling" for him. On March 8, Hogan returned to action, teaming up with Abyss to beat A.J. When Abyss received a pinfall over Styles, she was in love with style and Ric Flair. The returning Jeff Hardy saved Hogan and Abyss from a beatdown by Styles, Flair, and Desmond Wolfe. Jartt and the debuting Rob Van Dam joined Team Hogan and Beer Money (James Storm and Robert Roode) and Sting joined Team Flair. Team Hogan (Hulk Hogan, Abyss, Jeff Jart, Rob Van Dam, and Rob Van Dam) defeated Team Flair (Ric Flair, Sting, Desmond Wolfe, Robert Roode, and James Storm) in a Lethal Lockdown match at Lockdown, beating them 4:46–36.

On the episode of Impact!, Hogan's relationship with Abyss came to an abrupt end when Abyss turned heel. Abyss later admitted that he was being ruled by some entity that was headed by TNA. Hogan, Jeff Jartt, and Samoa Joe all worked against Sting and Kevin Nash, who claimed that Hogan and Bischoff were up to something. During this period, Abyss went on a rampage, criticizing Rob Van Dam to the point that he was forced to leave the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and eventually hand over TNA President Dixie Carter, which led to her signing the paperwork, which would have Abyss fired from TNA following his match against Van Dam at Bound for Glory. At Bound for Glory, Hogan was supposed to fight with Jarrett and Joe against Sting, Nash, and D'Angelo Dinero, but he was forced to cancel due to back surgery. He made an appearance at the end of the game, but he turned heel by assisting Jeff Hardy in winning the vacant TNA World Heavyweight Championship and tagging himself with Hardy, Bischoff, Abyss, and Jartt. On the next episode of Impact!, it was revealed that Bischoff had tricked Carter and the papers signed a week earlier, but not to start the company but to turn it over to him and Hogan. Meanwhile, Bischoff's and Hogan's new stable, now known as Immortal, has formed an alliance with Ric Flair's Fortune. Dixie Carter returned from TNA on November 25 after informing Hogan and Bischoff that a judge had filed an injunction against them for failing to have signatory control, effectively prohibiting Hogan from TNA permanently. During his absence, Hogan underwent spinal fusion surgery that could have hampered his career.

After winning the court battle against Dixie Carter, Hogan returned to TNA on March 3, 2011. He began hints at a potential return to the ring against TNA World Heavyweight Champion Sting in April. Hogan lost control of the service on the newly renamed Impact Wrestling show on May 12 after Hogan and Bischoff revealed himself as the network consultant who had been causing Immortal's everlasting decline. Foley was fired just three weeks after the promotion was cut short three weeks earlier. During the months, Hogan continued to interfere in Sting's matches, earning him the TNA World Heavyweight Championship first at Hardcore Justice, recruiting Kurt Angle to Immortal in the process. Sting defeated Immortal member Ric Flair on September 15 to win the right to face Hogan at Bound for Glory on September 15, according to the show. Hogan had signed a TNA contract extension on October 4, according to TNA. Hogan feigning retirement from professional wrestling, but also agreed to give TNA to Dixie Carter if Sting wins the match.

Sting at Bound For Glory defeated Hogan, putting an end to his TNA storyline as the president of TNA. Immortal attack Sting was initiated during the match, but Hogan turned around Immortal and Sting. Hogan, who was wearing his trademark yellow and red again, admitted to his mistakes and booed Sting for winning.

Hogan returned to action at house shows in Nottingham and Manchester, where he, James Storm and Sting defeated Bobby Roode, Bully Ray, and Kurt Angle in a six-man tag team main event, the latter of which was Hogan's last match at both shows. On February 2, Hogan rejoined Impact Wrestling as Garett Bischoff's manager. Hogan returned and accepted Sting's offer to bring him on as the next General Manager on Impact Wrestling's episode on March 29.

Hogan, as well as Sting, began feuding with a slew of masked guys, who had dubbed themselves the "Aces & Eights" in July. The group's attack on Hogan on Impact Wrestling's July 12 episode was used to write Hogan off television as he was about to have another back surgery.

After Austin Aries revealed a little-known friendship between Ray and Hogan's daughter Brooke in November, Hogan stepped into a storyline with Bully Ray. Hogan suspended Ray indefinitely after seeing them kissing in a parking garage on December 20 of Impact Wrestling. Brooke accepted his marriage bid the following week. After Ray saved Brooke from a kidnapping by the Aces & Eights, he accepted his marriage bid. Despite Hogan's disapproval, he walked Brooke down the aisle for her wedding on the upcoming episode of Impact Wrestling, during which Ray's groomsmen Taz interrupted and revealed himself as a member of the Aces & Eights, leading the party to assault Hogan, Ray, and the remainder of the groomsmen.

Hogan regained control of Ray on January 31, enabling him to face the Aces & Eights in a match. On the February 21 episode of Impact Wrestling, Hogan rated Ray as the top contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. After Aces & Eights helped him win the title, Ray betrayed Hogan, and he revealed himself as the President of the Aces & Eights at Lockdown. Hogan chastised Sting for Ray winning the title because it was Sting who encouraged Hogan to give Ray the championship shot following Lockdown. On the April 25 episode of Impact Wrestling, Sting returned and saved Hogan from an attack by Aces & Eights. The following week, Impact Wrestling, Hogan, and Sting reconciled their differences. Hogan refused an invitation from Dixie Carter to become her business partner and resign on September 3rd; this was done in order to effectively write Hogan off, despite his deal with TNA coming to an end.

Hogan made his first WWE in-ring appearance since December 2007, boosting the WWE Network on February 24, 2014. Hogan came out to introduce Arnold Schwarzenegger and Joe Manganiello's guest appearances on the guests' new film Sabotage on March 24.

Hogan was the host at WrestleMania XXX in April, appearing outside the show to energize the audience. During his address, he mistakenly referred to the Superdome, the venue where the performance was being held, as the Silverdome, which became the object of a slew of jokes throughout the night. Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock followed Hogan's promotion by drinking beer together in the ring. Later in the show, Hogan recalled a moment with Mr. T, Paul Orndorff, and Roddy Piper, with whom he first appeared in the first WrestleMania.

Hogan was honoured at Madison Square Garden on February 27, 2015, during a WWE live event dubbed "Hulk Hogan Appreciation Night," honoring his wrestling career and historic matches he attended in the region.

On the March 23 episode of Raw, Hogan and Snoop Dogg confronted Curtis Axel, who had been "borrowing" Hogan's Hulkamania gimmick with Axel's referring to himself as "AxelMania." Randy Savage, a longtime partner and rival in the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2015, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2015. Hogan returned to WrestleMania 31 to rewrite the nWo, appearing in Sting's corner against Triple H, as well as D-Generation X members Billy Gunn, X-Pac, Road Dogg, and Shawn Michaels.

National Enquirer and Radar Online published an anti-black rant by Hogan on a leaked sex tape taken in 2007. He is seen on the recording expressing dissatisfaction with the possibility of his daughter being a black man, a term that has been traced back to the use of the word "nigger" in a series of ways. To a point, Hogan admitted to being "a bigote."

Hogan apologised for the remarks, saying that they are "insensitive and contradictory to [his] own beliefs" as the recordings were released in a media scandal. With Hogan's support, three black wrestlers who competed in the WWF and WCW made positive remarks. "Hogan has never given me a reason to believe he is a bigote," Virgil said, though Dennis Rodman said he "most certainly is not a bigote" and that "I do not think Hogan meant hurt by saying that." "Until he decides not to be," Hogan is my brother until he decides not to be." According to different black wrestlers in the WWE, their views were contradictory. Mark Henry expressed delight with WWE's "no tolerance approach to bigotry" reaction, as well as that he was shocked and insulted by Hogan's demeanor and demeanor. Trained booker T said he was shocked and described the comments as sad.

WWE ended their deal with Hogan on July 24, saying that they are "committed to including and honoring people from all backgrounds," although Hogan's counsel said Hogan resigned. WWE cut nearly all references to Hogan from their website, including his appearance as a judge for Tough Enough, his clothes from WWE Shop, and his induct into the WWE Hall of Fame (he was still listed in the official WWE encyclopedia, which was published in October 2016). WWE 2K15's DLC appearance was stripped from the sale, and his appearance was changed from the forthcoming WWE 2K16 game during development.

Mattel halted manufacturing Hogan action figures, while Hogan's merchandise was confiscated from online stores of Target, Toys "R" Us, and Walmart as a result of the scandal, with Mattel unable to react. Hogan had also used homophobic slurs on the leaked sex tape, according to Radar Online on July 28. Days later, it was revealed that Hogan used racist words in a 2008 call to his then-imprisoned son, Nick, and that he wished they would not be reincarnated as black males.

On August 31, Hogan pleaded for his racist remark, attributing it to a racial bias inherited from his neighborhood as a youth. Hogan claimed that the word "nigger" was widely used among friends in Tampa; former neighbors disputed this assertion.

Many African-Americans involved with wrestling expressed some sympathy for Hogan, including Dennis Rodman, Booker T, Kamala, Virgil, Mr. T. Matthew, Big E, and D'Angelo Dinero, who expressed their admiration for Hogan, who was described as having made a "good mark on humanity" for more than three decades.

Cody Rhodes, a fellow wrestler, has stated consistently that Hogan's WrestleMania X8 match with The Rock is the best match in wrestling history, and that it epitomized what professional wrestling is.

Source