10 Fascinating WWE Backstage Facts About Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan, hero to millions, has touched everybody on earth - and beyond.
Hulk Hogan was the biggest star in professional wrestling - in his day, and perhaps of all-time. Was there a more perfect hero for children to idolise?
He made it all seem so simple. If you're getting beaten up by some school bully, why, all you need to do is shake your head from side to side and scream "No!" in their face. If you want to feel like a big man, why, all you need to do is rip your shirt off - Hulk Hogan style!
He was a living superhero in his physique, so it was easy to buy that he was a strong guy who'd win at an age when you just wanted to see your favourite goodie prevail, but you know what else worked in his favour?
The fact that he was bald.
He looked immortal and elderly at the same time; when you were conditioned at a young age to sell fear of those older than you, Hogan was authoritative when he told you to train, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins.
Now, a lot of misleading information surrounding Hulk Hogan persists - lies propagated over the years by Allan Cheapshot, Power Slam magazine, and other nefarious voices.
That he was a narcissist.
That he has a tendency to reorder time itself to put himself over.
That he was very close to several major historical events, like an orange Forrest Gump.
This article seeks to clarify these mistruths...
10. Hulk Hogan Was The First To Notice Kevin Owens
Drawn to Pro Wrestling Guerrilla - he was a huge fan of the early promos - Hulk Hogan would take a seat in Reseda and watch, intently, as the next generation stormed what, by the early-to-mid 2010s, had become pro wrestling's new proving ground.
Hogan always did have an eye for talent - he spent much of his career mentoring the hot new prospect Ed 'Brutus Beefcake' Leslie, who with his parade of gimmicks proved himself one of the most versatile wrestlers in the history of the business - and was wowed by what he saw.
He saw young kids do triple rotation moonsaults, observing the action with a wry smile. His influence was still felt. He used to do them off the bottom turnbuckle when he wrestled for ECW in 1981, before anybody had ever heard of it.
One young prodigy in particular caught his eye: Kevin Steen.
Hogan told Steve Austin on the Steve Austin Show in 2019 that nobody was high on Owens within WWE except him. He knew where the money was. He knew WWE had something with that cat, and wouldn't you just know it?
Owens went on to headline back-to-back WrestleManias.