Last week, the passing of Hulk Hogan, a prominent American professional wrestler and cultural symbol of the ’80s and ’90s, at 71 years old was mourned by many. Hogan is being fondly remembered for elevating the status of wrestling and making a lasting impact on mainstream culture. However, his legacy is also marked by a history of controversial conduct that cannot be overlooked.
On a recent episode of Commotion, wrestling enthusiasts Pablo the Don and Damian Abraham joined host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to delve into the complex legacy of Hulk Hogan.
Elamin reflected on Hogan’s portrayal of the quintessential all-American hero, which helped propel the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) to unprecedented popularity. However, Elamin noted that beyond Hogan’s initial appeal, other wrestling personas exhibited deeper and more intricate characterizations.
Discussing Hogan’s transition from a beloved figure to a villain, Pablo emphasized that this shift allowed Hogan to embrace his true nature as a “heel,” both on-screen and off. This transformation coincided with a period of societal change in the U.S., characterized by the rise of reality TV and a shift towards more authentic storytelling in wrestling.
Damian highlighted Hogan’s adaptation to the evolving wrestling landscape, drawing inspiration from fellow wrestlers like Diesel (Kevin Nash) and Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) who had successfully rebranded themselves in WCW. While Hogan attempted to align with this new trend, he never quite captured the same level of coolness as his peers.
Elamin humorously interjected, acknowledging the charisma of Kevin Nash in the Magic Mike films but steering the conversation back to wrestling dynamics.
The discussion underscored how Hogan’s heel turn, along with the emergence of authentic personas like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, contributed to a renaissance in wrestling during the late ’90s.
To listen to the full conversation on today’s episode, visit Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud on your preferred podcast platform or follow the link provided.
Panel produced by Amelia Eqbal.