Hulk Hogan would hypnotize his audience.
Oh, the 80s, how I miss the 80s. Life was less stressful then. No cells where anyone can hack you. No GPS trackers on your car. Technology has given evil people more weapons. Hulk Hogan was one of the Icons of the 80s. I have sweet memories, I recall watching WrestleMania with my siblings and Hulk Hogan was the Star.
Photo courtesy WWE
Hulk Hogan would hypnotize his audience. My favorite part of WrestleMania as a kid was when the wrestlers would fight for a girl. On July 24, 2005, Hulk Hogan passed away from a heart attack. He was 71 years old. Hulk Hogan’s death took me back to the ’80s. Some of his memorable sayings were “Be cool, eat Fruit,” or “Hulkamanias say your prayers, take your vitamins, and you will never be wrong.”
Hulk Hogan made his entrance into Hollywood when he got his role in Rocky 3, next to the unforgettable Silvester Stallone. Hulk Hogan goes crazy in the ring, beating up Rocky. At the end of the match, he shifts from a wild state to a calm one to take a picture with Rocky and his family. He calmly tells Rocky, “Crazy is the name of the game.” I found it amusing to see the change in emotions from wild to calm. Good acting, Hulk Hogan.
Hulk Hogan was fortunate to find Christ; he had a public baptism. He was interviewed by the 700 Club, where he told them we are in a spiritual war. I agree, the fight of good against evil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6: 12 January 23, 1984, Hulk Hogan’s Journey began when he won the WWE Championship in Madison Square Garden. 2005 and 2020 were also good years for Hogan because he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice in his career —
The Rock posted a touching tribute to Hulk Hogan on his Instagram:
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson (photo courtesy CNN)
“To millions of little kids, you were a childhood hero – me included. In 1984, I gave you your “HULKSTER” headband back, in the locker room in Madison Square Garden – I was the lucky kid who caught it when you threw it in the crowd. You were wrestling “Mr. Wonderful,” Paul Orndorff, that night in the main event. You were shocked and so happy after the match because you told me that was your very last headband, and if it weren’t for me, you’d have no way of getting that exact one made again. You promised me that you would get more made and give me a Hulkster headband of my own as a thank-you gift. A month later, in Madison Square Garden, you did just that. You kept your word, with a handshake and a “Thanks, kid.”And that meant the world to that little 12-year-old boy. Just 17 years later, and still a kid at the age of 29 years old — I’m standing in the middle of the ring and facing you, one of my wrestling heroes, in the main event of WRESTLEMANIA. The match was to decide who would go down in history as The Greatest of All Time. When you kick out of my Rock Bottom finisher – listen and FEEL that crowd go ELECTRIC…all for you. I’ve never felt anything like that in my entire wrestling career. It takes two to tango, but that historic crowd reaction was all for you. You may have “passed the torch” to me that night, but you, my friend… You “drew the house,” meaning you sold out every arena and stadium across the country in your prime as Hulk Hogan, on your way to becoming the greatest of all time. From deep in my bones, and on behalf of this wild and crazy world of professional wrestling that we love, I say to you now, and forever…Thank you for the house, brother…Thank you for the house.”
Just like the Rock said, I include myself among the millions of kids who saw him as a hero, and am deeply touched by his death. It is a strange feeling when so many whom you admired have passed away. In my case, my dad, four ex-fiancés, my best friend, and both of my grandmothers.
Life is short. None of us is coming out alive. Make sure you do well in your life and don’t hurt others. Find Christ. Find joy because we won’t be here long.
Rest in Peace, Hulk Hogan, and all those I loved.
