Terry Gene Bollea, popularly known by his wrestling name Hulk Hogan, is an American professional wrestler, widely regarded as one of greatest and popular in the professional wrestling platform. Hogan started his wrestling career in 1977 after being trained for a year with Matsuda. On the first day of his training, Matsuda broke Hogan’s leg.
Hogan won his first wrestling championship defeating Bob Roop for the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship in 1979. In the same year, Vincent McMahon gave him an opportunity to join WWF and in his first match, where he defeated Harry Valdez. He participated in first nine editions of WWF’s leading event, WrestleMania. He started referring his fans to as “Hulkamaniacs” in his interviews.
Hogan has had a legendary career in the professional wrestling where he is a six-time WWF/E (Undisputed) World Heavyweight Champion , six-time WCW Champion and became a first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches in 1990 and 1991. Hogan also performed for the American Wrestling Association (AWA), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
EARLY LIFE
Terry Gene Bollea was born on August 11, 1953 in Augusta, Georgia, U.S. His family shifted to Port Tampa, Florida in his childhood. Having a great interest in sports, Hogan began playing baseball but an injury ended his baseball career. He began watching professional wrestling at the age of 16. Hogan spent a decade playing fretless bass guitar in several Florida-based rock bands. He persuaded his studies from Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida.
PERSONAL LIFE
Bollea married his first wife Linda Claridge on December 18, 1983 and are blessed with two children, a daughter named Brooke and a son named Nick. After the couple divorced in 2007, he tied a knot with Jennifer McDaniel in 2010.
PROFESSIONAL LIFE
Bollea started his professional wrestling career in 1977 after he completed his training under Matsuda. He then formed an alliance with Ed Leslie (Brutus Beefcake) in a tag-team and joined Louie Tillet’s Alabama Territory. In 1979, Hogan won his first wrestling championship after defeating Bob Roop for the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship. In the same year, he got an offer from Vince Mc Mahon to be a part of WWF where he defeated Harry Valdez in his first match.
In 1984, Hogan bagged his first WWF Heavyweight Championship belt by defeating Iron Sheik, and remained WWF Champion for 1,474 days from 1984–1988. He also had a memorable feud with Andre The Giant that led to match between the two at Wrestlemania 3. He won the Royal Rumble matches in 1990 and 1991, becoming the first wrestler to win consecutive rumble matches. Hogan defeated Sgt Slaughter at WrestleMania VII in 1991 for his third WWF Championship but lost it to The Undertaker at the Survivor Series.
In 1994, Hogan joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and defeated Ric Flair in his debut match to become the WCW World Heavyweight Champion. He then, lost the title to The Giant. He won his second WCW Heavyweight Championship after defeating The Giant in 1996 and after a year, he lost it to Luger by submission. He defeated Kevin Nash for his fifth WCW Heavyweight Championship in 1999.
In 2002, he returned to WWF at their No Way Out event and won his sixth WWF Championship at Backlash, before losing it to The Undertaker at Judgment Day.
He won his first WWE World Tag Team Championship with Edge as his partner in 2002. He also defeated Vince McMahon in WrestleMania XIX in 2003. Hogan quit the WWE in 2003.
In 2005, Hulk Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class by actor and friend Sylvester Stallone. At WrestleMania 30, Hogan served as the host at the event. Hogan made his WWE video game in WWE 2K14, WWE 2K15 and now in WWE 2K20.
HONORS
Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1991
Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003
Ranked No. 44 and No. 57 of the top 100 tag teams of the PWI Years with Antonio Inoki and Randy Savage in 2003
Match of the Year (1988) vs. André the Giant at The Main Event I
Match of the Year (2002) vs. The Rock at WrestleMania 18
ACHIEVEMENTS
Hogan is a one-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion
Hogan won IWGP League Tournament (1983)
Hogan won MSG Tag League Tournament (1982, 1983) with Antonio Inoki
Hogan is a one-time NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Champion (Northern Division)
Hogan is a two-time NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Champion (Southern Division)
Hogan is a six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion
Hogan is a one-time WWE Tag Team Champion with Edge
Hogan is a six-time WWF/E (Undisputed) World Heavyweight Champion
Hogan won Royal Rumble (1990, 1991)
Hogan is a two-time WWE Hall of Fame (2 times)
Class of 2005 – individually
Class of 2020 – as a member of the nWo
PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS
HEIGHT: 201 cm
WEIGHT: 137 kg = 302 lbs
EYE COLOR: Blue
HAIR COLOR: Blonde
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full Name: Terry Gene Bollea
Age: 66 years
Date of Birth: August 11, 1953
Hometown: Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
Zodiac: Leo
Religion: American
EDUCATION:
School: Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida
FAVORITE CELEBRITIES
Favorite wrestler: Andre The Giant and John Cena
Favorite actor: Chris Hemsworth
Favorite actress: Angelina Jolie
Hobbies: Wrestling, gymming, watching baseball, playing guitar
Favorite Food: Cheeseburger, Steak
Dream Holiday Destination: Spain
Favorite Color: Yellow and Red
NET WORTH
$25 Million estimated
CONTROVERSY
In 2012, Hogan sparked a controversy when he used the word “N” for his daughter sleeping with a black man. WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea in 2015.
SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hulkhogan/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HulkHogan
Instagram: @hulkhogan