Hulk Hogan Profile

Full Real Name: Terry Gene Bollea
Birthplace: Augusta, Georgia
Hometown: Clearwater, Florida
Height: 6 Foot 7 Inches
Weight: 280 Pounds/304 Pounds
Finishing Move: The Leg Drop

The Legendary Hulk Hogan was born Terry Bollea on August 11th, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia. That was the beginning of a life which would have an impact on many people for many years. A true and genuine American Hero was born. Not just any Wrestler was born, but a man who would give hope to many people worldwide.

Terry first began bodybuilding in 1977 in a Tampa, Florida Gym and thus began the success story of Hulk Hogan. While lifting weights part time, Bollea also studied Business administration and music at The University of South Florida. Terry had already developed a liking for music and spent time dedicated to it, as well as the time he worked as a Bank Teller to earn the money to support what were just hobbies at the time for Terry.

While beginning his work with weights, Terry was able to land a job as a Bouncer at nights, while maintaining his bank job during the daytime. His schedule was full, but in time, many people began noticeing this large man in bars. Finally, the future Hulk Hogan got his big break one night when he was on duty as a bouncer. Then Wrestler, Jack Brisco showed up and immediately noticed Terry's size and saw potential in him. It was then that Jack Brisco suggested to Bollea to think about the Wrestling Business.

Soon thereafter, Terry took Brisco up on that offer and began training with Japanese Wrestling Legend and trainer, Hiro Matsuda. Among Matsuda's other students were Bob Backlund and Tito Santana, other Wrestling Reknowneds. During a training session one day, Matsuda broke Terry's knee, causing Terry to then quit the school.

Terry then took some time off after his bad run-in with the Pro Wrestling Industry. He hadn't even gotten into it yet, but had hit misfortune soon in his run. Terry then went back to Florida, where he formed a band called The Gentrics, and played with them for a while. Although enjoying going back to music, Hogan knew where his nitch really was. It was only when another Terry, though, Terry Funk, approached him and urged him to come back and give it another try, when Bollea would finally come back around again.

Terry's second try would prove to be successful. He was first brought into Combat for the first time, when he began Wrestling for the SouthEast Championship Wrestling in 1979. Terry quickly gained high status and earned the nickname, "The Wrestling Hulk". After defeating local legend, Leon Baxter in the SECW, Hulk became a heel. It was then that he was given his first major angle, which was with Andre The Giant. In late 79' to early 80', Hulk battled Andre, as The Giant played face. This lead to Hulk challenging Andre to an arm-wrestling Match, where him and his Manager at the time, Billy Spears, attacked Andre and then beat him with the table.

Hulk then enjoyed his first experience as a Face and began being called Terry Boulder. The Hulk monicker, however, wouldn't be missing for long from Bollea. In earl 1980, Hulk became very close to capturing the NWA World Title on several occasions against then Champion, Harley Race, but didn't win his first bit of Gold until later that year when Terry claimed the SECW World Heavy Weight Title after defeating Ox Baker.

Terry then traveled to Georgia, where he became known as "The Sterling Golden", a bigger, better, and badder gimmick than that of Georgous George's. Terry feuded with Tony Atlas there and then returned back to the SECW, where he quickly won his Second SECW World Heavy Weight Title, by defeating Bob Roop for The Title. However, his run with The Lower feds would soon come to an end, as Terry was given a call from Vince McMahon, Senior.

Vince, Sr. quickly contracted Terry to Wrestle for the WWF and to compete alongside other major heels, such as Billy Graham and Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Upon preparing Terry for his first WWF Debut, McMahon Sr. chose to use The Hulk gimmick from Terry's past, but also added Hogan to it. McMahon Sr. also asked Hulk to die his hair red for a gimmick, but as Hulk later explained on Larry King Live. He couldn't go that because he was already having his hair falling out and if he had died it, the game would have been over.

Hogan made his WWF debut soon after, defeating Ted DiBiase in Madison Square Gardern in New York in his first ever WWF Matchup, in just a matter of seconds, as well. Later on, Hulk was given Classie Freddie Blassie as a Ring Manager and was pushed right up to the top ranks of the WWF. Hulk then began another feud with Andre The Giant and was still technically on the heel side of it. Hogan was also given a Title Shot against Bob Backlund, then WWF Champion, and he won via Count Out. At that time, many female fans had begun cheering for Hogan, despite him being a heel. His size and apparant looks had already started to garner him his share of fanfare.

Hogan left the WWF around later 1981, though, and headed down to Memphis, where he was then managed by Jimmy Hart, who would quickly become his close friend, and pitted up against Jerry Lawler, then a Wrestling Hero. Hogan was DQed in the Match, as usual in these scenarios. A while after the Lawler run, Hogan recieved a letter from Sylvester Stallone, saying that Stallone had seen him in action and wanted him to star in the move, Rocky III.

Stallone even called Hogan up, asking him to come to Los Angeles immediately for the movie shooting. However, the WWF had still contracted Hogan for an appearence, but it was on the day of the movie shooting. McMahon told Hogan that if he went to Los Angeles and didn't show up for the appearence, that he would be fired completely. Obviously, Hogan didn't show up and thus starred in his first hollywood project.

After filming his part in Rocky III, Hogan made his way to the AWA, where he was desperately needed. Hogan was scheduled to play the heel again, which he seemed to do best in that role. But the plan didn't work out, as in late 1981, fans found about his appearing in the Rocky III movie and began cheering him instantly. The AWA was then forced to turn Hogan face in 1982, as the fan reaction was simply too much to ignore. Hogan defeated Race shortly after the face turn and for there on out, The Hulkster became the most popular thing to ever hit the World of Wrestling.

Hogan continued his success in the AWA, working with stars such as Andre The Giant and Roddy Piper, and feuding against heels brought to the plate my Mene Gene Okerland and Bobby Heenan. After a short time, Hogan then managed to hit the pinnacle, as he won the AWA World Title over Nick Bockwinkle. However, the Title Victory was later reversed and stricken from the record. It didn't matter to Hogan, though, who then went on to Japan to represent the US of A in the annual IWGP International Tournament. In the final round of this hugely watched Tournament in Japan, Hogan faced off against close confident, Antonio Inoki, in one of the most legendary Matches ever seen. Hogan came out victorious and won the Tournament and The Trophy which went along with it.

Hogan soon joined previous Wrestling Top Stars Ric Flair and Jimmy Snuka on the front of magazines and such, as Hulk was now recieving far more publicity than most Wrestlers had ever heard of. In 1983, a shocker went down, as Hogan made his way back into the WWF upon McMahon's asking him to. Hulk was immediately seen as a hero and an icon by WWF fans as soon as he made his return to The Federation. However, it was one night that changed the face of Wrestling Forever. It was one night that set the stage for the future and for what is now known as Sports-Entertainment. It was one night that transformed Pro Wrestling forever from a simple sport to Wrestling Main Stream Media and Family Entertainment. The days of Wrestling in the circus were about to change drastically.

On the date of January 23rd, 1984, Hulkamania came storming into the WWF. Hogan had just made his comeback to The Federation and this time around was a hero to the fans, but this night would put him over the top. Media coverage was at an all time high for a Wrestling Match, as everybody wanted to know and talk about the IWGP Champion facing off against the WWF Champion and hated heel, The Iron Sheik. That night in Madison Square Garden, the Eye of the Tiger music came on and Hulkamania was born. Hogan defeated Iron Sheik to become the WWF World Heavy Weight Champion for the first time and turned Wrestling into something of a whole new dimeanor.

Wrestling's popularity had now been blown up to new heights, and a New Age of Wrestling had been created. Hogan continued to work in Japan, while still keeping American Fans more than happy. Then, in 1985, the biggest Event in Pro Wrestling Histroy was made, based off of Hulkamania's success. That Event would be called WrestleMania, the show which was named by Linda McMahon and based off of Hogan. Hulk promoted the Event highly, as well as did Roddy Piper, and the two were joined in the promoting of WrestleMania by A Team's Mr. T and Cindy Lauper.

The innaugural WrestleMania was a huge success, with the combination of such stars as Muhammed Ali and Mr. T's appearences, alond with the huge popularity of Hulkamania. Hulkamania had been born, Sports-Entertainment had been created, and the face of Wrestling had been altered forever. From there on out, we all know the history of Hogan. He has enjoyed succes unmatched by far and currently is enjoying some time off, while pondering starting up his own Wrestling Promotion.

Hogan is currently involved in the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Petiatric AIDs Center, The Special Olympics, The Starlight Foundation, and many other Charity Organizations.