“HULKAMANIA FOREVER.” The Immortal One Lives On.

24 JUL 2025: I’m 47 years old. If you’re an American Male born somewhere in that ball park, you likely lost your childhood hero as I did today. Hulk Hogan, real name: Terry Gene Bollea passed away at his home in Clearwater, FL today at the age of 71.

Bollea (Hulk) was more than just an athlete and entertainer he transcended sports and entertainment to become an all around American Icon paving the way for stars like the Rock and John Cena today. Some characters are larger than life and Hulk was no exception to that rule. At 6’7” Hogan towered over most of his opponents, often putting them to sleep w/ his massive 24” pythons or from a kick to the face and a good old fashioned elevated leg drop to the throat for good measure.

The 80’s was filled with stars from music to the movie industry w/ very few entertainers finding success through multiple pursuit’s. However, the Hulkamania brand was ratings gold for the box office, the music industry at the time of his influenced Real American Album, as well as the WWE, better known then as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).

America needed a hero in the early 80’s coming off the heels of a divisive and costly war in Vietnam. Patriotism was on the rise again and had the perfect spokesman in the Hulkster. Cheesy as he may have been at times, I watched in awe as he slammed Andre the Giant, Power Slammed King Kong Bundy, and rose from the grips of the Iron Shiek’s Camel Clutch to win the WWF Championship on January 23, 1984 before a sold out crowd in Madison Square Garden. The Hulkster would later team up w/ superstar “Macho Man Randy Savage” as part of the Mega Powers and face off against the likes of powerhouse rival the Ultimate Warrior in Wrestlemania VI. He even later changed personas to Hollywood Hogan as part of the infamous New World Order (NWO) w/ the WCW after a fallout w/ WWE in the late 90’s. Hogan’s dominance seemed unstoppable!

However, just as with most of our hero’s, time passes and kids grow up. Life gets hectic and we’re often too busy to reflect on, let alone appreciate the innocence and magical memories of our youth. But today was different. It was a day in which I received calls and texts from most every close friend I have, Wrestling fan and non-fan alike. Each sharing a special clip or memory of the Hulkster.

They say you’ll know what your life was worth by who shows up to your funeral. I have a feeling it’ll be “Pandemonium at the Funeral Home and standing room only at his place of resting just like his days before sold out crowds at Madison Square Garden. Thanks for the memories “Immortal One” may God keep you in his care.

By: Russ Osterfeld

rosterfeld@apollobeachchristian.com