Modern-day pro wrestling fans fell in love with Hulk Hogan back in the 1980s when, backed by Vince McMahon Jr., he became a household name. Hogan wore his red-and-gold tights, “Hulkamania” T-shirt, and told kids to say their prayers and eat their vitamins. The image worked as Hogan was the right man, at the right time, for McMahon’s growing presence with WWF.

To ignore his previous time in the pro wrestling business, though, does Hogan a disservice. Before his years with WWF, WCW, and even TNA, Hogan was learning about the world of body slams and headlocks from others. True, Hogan, who died last week at 71, did not make himself beloved when trying to blend his in-ring character with real-life Terry Bollea.

Hulk Hogan Drew On Previous Experiences

There are plenty of reactions and responses to his death, pointing out his racism and even embracing MAGA politics. Others have written about it and shared their thoughts. It would be a disservice to his memory without including some prevalent voices from the pro wrestling world.

For instance, Eric Bischoff, who worked closely with Hogan at World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling (TNA), offered his own thoughts after Hogan’s death. Many fans know that he and Hogan were working to bring “Real American Freestyle” to the mainstream. Hogan was going to be the promotion’s Commissioner. Bischoff aired a special “83 Weeks” episode with co-host Conrad Thompson, talking about his time working with and being a friend of Hogan.

Hogan, though, was already making a name for himself before hitting it big in WWF, which eventually turned into WWE. Did you know that Hogan worked in the Memphis and Minneapolis territories before fame and fortune? He was sometimes billed as Terry “The Hulk” Boulder or other names that promoters used to put his image out front.

In the 1970s, Hulk Hogan worked with the likes of Jerry “The King” Lawler when Lawler regularly sold out the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis. He also spent time learning from Verne Gagne, who was the leader of the American Wrestling Association. The AWA’s dominance was in the Midwest, giving a whole new audience a chance to see Hogan in all his physical glory.

Lawler, Gagne Were Among Hogan’s Teachers

There’s no doubt Hogan’s look got attention. He had the size, muscles, and build that made many fans almost gawk at his stature. During his “learning tree” days, Hogan truly listened and learned from people like Lawler and Gagne about the nuances that make pro wrestling work.

Hogan spent time in the National Wrestling Alliance, in which the Memphis territory had a role. There are elements of ring psychology that Hogan picked up, like when to allow a heel or “bad guy” to get the upper hand. He also learned how to make a solid comeback, or what Hogan fans came to see as him “hulking up” and wagging his index finger. Before Hogan did that, he might have picked up that little trick from Dusty Rhodes.

That’s right, “The American Dream” must have impressed Hogan with his own style. Rhodes had a way of keeping fans rooting for him with his ability to “sell” a heel’s moves just in the right manner.

When Hulk Hogan got fully under WWF control, those insights went with him. Yes, he did change his style to the way that McMahon wanted him to work. It’s hard to not think, though, that those educational moments didn’t go with him. Hogan was a smart guy, making sure to make mental notes from his peers.

Another truly solid breakdown of Hogan’s career throughout pro wrestling history was offered by Jim Cornette and his co-host Brian Last in a clip from “The Jim Cornette Experience.” Cornette and Last spent nearly two hours going over Hogan’s history, highlights and, yes, his personal foibles as a human being.

Yes, the legacy of Hogan goes far beyond his time in WWF/WWE. In the 1980s, especially as WrestleMania became more than just another pro wrestling “big show,” Hogan was on quite a run. Fans wore those “Hulkamania” T-shirts all over the place. They bought his merchandise, which also brought Hogan a nice, tidy extra bit of money.

Hogan had a couple of different runs in WWF/WWE, ones where fans went from cheering on their hero to booing him. Some of them simply got tired of the “good guy” image and got turned off. His personal life as Terry Bollea started seeping out…and it wasn’t a pretty picture.

But Hogan did his homework. He spent time learning about the business. Also, he was influenced by people like Rhodes and “Superstar” Billy Graham, whose physique and flair for promos was awesome. Let’s not leave out Ric Flair, either, someone else who influenced his career. They even had matches together, giving fans a chance to see both legends duke it out.

Any fan who wants to see some of Hogan’s pre-WWF work can take a deep dive on YouTube. WWE even put out a special collection of Hogan’s greatest matches from his WWF days.

Sure, adults who grew up in the 1980s and even in the 1990s have this shirt-tearing image of Hogan embedded in their memories. For some, it harkens back to a nostalgic period of time when pro wrestling and modern culture blended together.

Hogan happened to be in the right place, at the right time, for WWF to explode.

End Of My Hulk Hogan Rant

This, obviously, has not been a rant as much as it is my effort to add some historical context to Hogan’s career. One other point I’d like to make, though, is just how profound Hogan’s stamp on pro wrestling was at his height.

“Sports Illustrated” was a magazine totally dedicated to the sports world, whether it was baseball, football, basketball, or hockey. Very rarely did other sports get highlighted. Sure, for boxing fans, Muhammad Ali made plenty of magazine covers in his illustrious career.

Pro wrestling? You’ve got to be kidding. Yet in 1985, people could go buy a magazine at a magazine stand (remember those?) and gracing the magazine’s cover was none other than Hulk Hogan. I picked up a copy myself before heading out to a minor-league baseball game in Beaumont, Texas. As I sat next to the team’s radio broadcaster for an inning, he reached over and picked up the magazine. He even mentioned it on the air.

Making the cover of “Sports Illustrated” was a big deal. Hogan, the pro wrestler, got attention for the business ahead of major pro sports for one week.

Historically speaking, Hogan has to be among the top draws in pro wrestling history. His legacy will be debated for years to come. But even the “Hulkster” had some help on his way to the top. It’s history, baby.