WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan passed away on July 24 at the age of 71. As one of the most recognizable figures in pop culture, Hogan played a pivotal role in helping WWE gain global fame during the Hulkamania phenomenon of the 1980s. He also revitalized the popularity of sports entertainment in the 1990s through his leadership of the New World Order in WCW. Regardless of whether he portrayed a hero or a villain, dressed in red and yellow or black and white, The Hulkster consistently remained one of the most beloved and enduring stars in the wrestling ring. Hogan left behind a music career with his band, Ruckus, based in Tampa, Florida, when he was discovered by WWE Hall of Famers Jack and Gerry Brisco. In 1977, he began his training under Hiro Matsuda, who deliberately broke Hogan’s lower leg to test his dedication to returning to the ring rather than reverting to his bass guitar playing. A year later, on August 10, 1977, Hogan had his inaugural match against B. Brian Blair in Fort Myers, Florida, for Championship Wrestling from Florida. He initially competed under a mask as Super Destroyer in Florida and later teamed with his friend Ed Leslie (who would later be known as Brutus Beefcake) as brothers Terry and Ed Boulder in Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. After appearing on a local talk show in Memphis alongside TV’s Incredible Hulk, Lou Ferrigno, he adopted the name Terry “The Hulk” Boulder, as he was significantly larger than Ferrigno. Hogan made his WWE debut in 1979, where he was given the name Hulk Hogan by Vincent J. McMahon. As a heel, he won his first match at Madison Square Garden against Ted DiBiase (who would later become the Million Dollar Man), challenged Bob Backlund for the WWE Championship, and faced off against Andre the Giant eight years prior to WrestleMania III in August 1980 at Shea Stadium in New York City. Following his appearance in "Rocky III," Hogan spent the next three years competing in Verne Gagne’s AWA and Antonio Inoki’s New Japan Pro Wrestling. He then transitioned to WWE, where he triumphed over The Iron Sheik to become the WWE Champion on January 23, 1984, igniting a pop culture phenomenon that would be known as Hulkamania.
