5 Things You Didn’t Know About Hulk Hogan

Former WWE superstar Hulk Hogan has died aged 71.

The Hulkster, who debuted with the Stamford promotion in December 1983, is credited with revolutionizing the wrestling industry like never before.

His ‘Hulkamania’ persona spread like wildfire, resulting in fans purchasing his merchandise in record numbers.

Hogan also worked with other promotions, including World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Total Nonstop Action (TNA).

His heel turn in WCW and subsequent creation of the New World Order with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall was one of the best gimmicks during the 1990s.

Hogan also contributed to helping the Eric Bischoff-led promotion overtake WWE in television ratings for 83 consecutive weeks.

Hulk Hogan’s journey into the world of wrestling is a storied one, but there may be a few things not even his biggest fans might know.

Hulk Hogan’s love for music

Hogan not only liked music but was somewhat of a musician himself. Before transitioning into a wrestler who played air guitar when his theme song hit, he represented various bands in Florida, playing the fretless bass guitar. He started a band called “Ruckus,” which gained popularity in the Tampa Bay area. He later quit the band, setting his sights on wrestling. Some reports suggest he even auditioned to be in Metallica.

Hogan’s finishing move in Japan was not the leg drop

When thinking about Hogan, his leg drop immediately comes to mind. While other wrestlers used it at the time, Hogan’s was a finisher. However, during his time in Japan, he used the leg drop as a preceding move before hitting the Axe Bomber, which resembled a clothesline. He was nicknamed ‘Ichiban.’

Hogan was an animal lover

Hulk Hogan is also a renowned animal lover, owning rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas, dogs, cats, and turtles, to name a few.

Hogan was superstitious

The Hulkster was a superstitious man, especially when it came to personal safety. Hogan reportedly wore the same pair of red underwear during air travel. He often credited this superstition as the reason behind his having survived two plane crashes.

WWE and Marvel licensing agreement

WWE and Marvel worked out a deal in 1984, wherein the latter would license the name “Hulk” to Hogan for 20 years. In exchange, Marvel would receive .009 percent of the Hulk Hogan merchandise sold as monetary compensation.