The Complicated Legacy Of Hulk Hogan

 

Terry Bollea better known to the world as Hulk Hogan passed away earlier today.  A polarizing figure, social media has been lit up with thoughts from fans, fellow wrestlers, journalists and other personalities. And it bought that topic to creeps up more and more everyday now. Do you acknowledge someone and their work and the impact they had on a industry? While also acknowledge their flaws as a person?

Hulk Hogan The "immortal" Hulk Hogan as he was known , was a pioneering figure in pro wrestling being what it is today. With the machine of Vince McMahon and the WWF behind him, he led the rock 'n wrestling era of pro wrestling also dubbed the "golden age" into mainstream success. Becoming a crossover star in his own right.

His foray into movies as bad those movies may have been (I actually enjoyed Suburban Commando), paved the way for The Rock, Batista, and John Cena being the Hollywood stars they are today. 

When he jumped to WCW, it took some time and some other players to join the mix. For WCW's most successful run as a company, leading the nWo in their takeover attempt of WCW and trying to fend off Sting. The  Hollywood Hogan original nWo run is my favorite iteration of Hogan. He honestly spent the remainder of his career chasing that time if you ask me.

Then we have Terry Bollea the man. The politician, who was clearly ego-driven and a man for self. Who blurred the lines between Hulk the character and Terry the man, that I think he actually believed they were one in the same. Who timelines were often quite fuzzy and stories/recollection always skewed in his favor. His racist tirade in 2015 was all alot of fans needed to wash their hands of him. 

Then his "apology" that took no accountability also skewed a instant hatred towards him. Later we learned how he and his ex-wife raised their children Brooke and Nick was determinal to their mental health and how they grew as adults. Not to mention the frequent Iron Sheik jabs at him before his passing, provided more insight into the person he was.

I'm not saying he was an all bad person, by all accounts he wasn't a overall good person. And social media like most topics today, has people leaning one way or the other on how they felt about him. He was a flawed individual like most of us.

 I will say this the years after his career ended he did himself no favors. However We as fans, even if you are not a WWE fan today. Must acknowledge the charisma, the promos, the catchphrases, and larger than life persona he crafted that during the top of his run. Made him a modern day super hero. Along with being one of the first popular wrestlers with theme music. First coming to the ring to Survivor's Eye Of The Tiger. Has made pro wrestling what it is today and what alot of fans expect it to be.

A complicated man was the Hulkster and he leaves a profound yet complicated legacy in pro wrestling, and how he will be viewed within the history books from now on.