8 Things You Probably Did Not Know About WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan
Few figures in professional wrestling history loom as large as Hulk Hogan. Born Terry Gene Bollea, the legendary superstar defined an era, transformed wrestling into mainstream entertainment, and became a global icon.
While millions remember his “Hulkamania” legacy, signature mustache, and thunderous leg drop, there’s a wealth of lesser-known stories that shaped his journey — both inside and outside the ring.
Here are eight surprising things you probably didn’t know about the Immortal Hulk Hogan:
1. A Promising Baseball Career Cut Short
Long before he stepped into the ring, Hogan had dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. A standout Little League pitcher in Florida, he was scouted by both the New York Yankees and the Cincinnati Reds.
However, a serious throwing-arm injury during his senior year of high school abruptly ended those hopes, forcing him to shift his focus — eventually toward wrestling.
2. Trained by Tough Love — Literally
Hogan’s wrestling training began under the infamous Hiro Matsuda, who didn’t go easy on him. On Hogan’s very first day, Matsuda snapped his leg as a test of mental toughness and commitment — a brutal initiation meant to weed out the uncommitted. Most would have quit, but Hogan returned just four months later, proving his resilience.
3. Many Names Before Becoming “Hulk Hogan”
Before the world knew him as Hulk Hogan, Bollea tried on several ring names, including Sterling Golden, Terry “The Hulk” Boulder, and even a masked persona known as Super Destroyer.
It wasn’t until promoter Vince McMahon Sr. suggested the Irish-sounding name “Hogan” in 1979 that his iconic identity was born. Hogan once joked that it sounded more like a sandwich than a superstar.
Also Read: WWE Legend Hulk Hogan Dead at 71: Cause of Death Revealed
4. WWE Fame and Hall of Fame Honors
Hogan joined the then-WWF in 1979 and revolutionized the business. He headlined the first WrestleMania, slammed André the Giant in one of wrestling’s most iconic moments, and won the WWE Championship six times.
His impact earned him a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2020, he was inducted a second time as a member of the nWo (New World Order), the rebellious faction that reinvented him during his WCW years.
5. A Legal Battle That Shook the Media Industry
In 2016, Hogan won a groundbreaking lawsuit against Gawker Media after the outlet published a bedroom tape without his consent. A Florida jury awarded him over $115 million in damages, later increased to $140 million. The verdict not only led to Gawker’s bankruptcy but also set a powerful legal precedent around privacy rights for public figures.
6. A Career Marred by Controversy
Despite his achievements, Hogan’s career was dogged by scandal. In 2015, leaked audio revealed him using racist language. WWE severed ties and scrubbed his presence from their platforms.
After public apologies and a period of rehabilitation, he was reinstated in the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Earlier in the 1990s, Hogan was also linked to steroid distribution during a broader federal investigation — though he admitted to use, he avoided prosecution.
7. The Toll of Wrestling: 25+ Surgeries
Hogan’s body paid a steep price for his decades in the ring. Over the last ten years, he reportedly endured more than 25 surgeries — including 10 on his back, as well as replacements for both knees, hips, and multiple shoulder procedures.
His daughter Brooke once confirmed he suffered a serious MRSA infection following shoulder surgery. Hogan openly shared his struggles with pain and later turned to CBD to manage symptoms and avoid opioid dependency.
8. Legal Fight Over Alleged Medical Malpractice
In 2013, Hogan filed a $50 million lawsuit against the Laser Spine Institute, claiming their treatments worsened his back issues and were medically unnecessary. He alleged that the procedures prevented him from earning millions and forced him to seek more effective spinal fusion surgery.
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