In the 1980s and extending into the next decade, “Hulkamania” swept through WWE, with Terry Bollea, better known as “Hulk Hogan,” at the forefront, establishing a legacy that shaped the wrestling industry. On the “PBD Podcast,” Hogan reflected on the moment he recognized his status as an icon.
He shared, “The first time I really became real, real, real aware of it — people kept saying ‘Oh my gosh, you don’t realize how big Hulk Hogan is, there’s Hulkamania!’ I was just working, I had my head down.” This realization struck him when journalist John Stossel sought to interview him, curious to see if Hogan’s fame was as substantial as the New York Times had suggested.
Stossel aimed to validate the Times’ claim that Hogan couldn’t stroll through New York City without attracting a crowd. Hogan recalled that they didn’t even need to enter Madison Square Garden; a crowd had already formed on Fifth Avenue. “That was the first time I realized — that this wrestling had gone mainstream, that this ‘Hulk Hogan’ character had crossed these imaginary boundaries and became a media star, not just a wrestling star,” he explained.
Additionally, Hogan mentioned that his celebrity status enabled him to meet various famous personalities during his peak. However, he highlighted one encounter that left a lasting impression. “The first time I started shaking and got nervous and the only person that’s ever was when I met Jerry Springer. I was a huge Jerry Springer fan,” Hogan confessed.