Hulk Hogan Remembers The Moment He Knew His WWE Character Became A Mega Star

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan shared a defining moment that signalled the crossover of ‘Hulkamania’ from a wrestling movement to a cultural phenomenon.

In an in-depth interview on the PBD Podcast with host Patrick Bet-David, Hulk Hogan reflected on the shift in his career when he realised his influence had expanded beyond the wrestling ring. In the early years, Hogan was focused solely on his craft, unaware of the growing wave of popularity surrounding him.

I was just working, I had my head down.

Hogan recounted, explaining how he remained focused on his in-ring performances rather than the impact he was making outside the wrestling world. According to Hogan, it wasn’t until he started catching the attention of mainstream media that he began to understand his influence. The moment of realisation came when prominent journalist John Stossel approached him for an interview. This unexpected attention from outside the wrestling industry opened Hogan’s eyes to the widespread reach of his persona.

The first time I really became real, real, real aware of it, people kept saying, ‘Oh my gosh, you don’t realise how big Hulk Hogan is, there’s Hulkamania!’

This encounter with Stossel became a wake-up call for Hogan, marking the moment he understood that ‘Hulk Hogan’ had become more than just a wrestler.

That was the first time I realised that this wrestling had gone mainstream, that this ‘Hulk Hogan’ character had crossed these imaginary boundaries and became a media star and not just a wrestling star.

From that point on, Hulkamania—with Hogan’s iconic red and yellow look and his dynamic personality—cemented itself as a piece of pop culture history, leaving a legacy that went far beyond wrestling.

How Did Hulk Hogan’s Agent React To The News He Was Turning Heel In WCW?

Late wrestling legend and former WCW booker Kevin Sullivan recalled how Hulk Hogan’s agent reacted to the news that Hogan was going to turn Heel in WCW. Sullivan said that when he broke the news to Hogan’s agent that they planned to turn him heel to form the nWo at the Bash at the Beach 1996 PPV, Hogan’s agent, Peter Young, cried on the phone to Sullivan until 2:30 am begging him not to turn Hogan heel.

H/t to ITRWrestling.com