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Born in Augusta, Georgia[
August 11, 1953
Terry Gene Bollea (born August 11, 1953),[4] better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan.
Introduced to Hiro Matsuda
June 1, 1976
Having been a wrestling fan since childhood, in 1976, Mike Graham introduced Hogan to Hiro Matsuda, who was among the sport’s top trainers. According to Hogan, during their first training session, Matsuda sarcastically asked him, "So you want to be a wrestler?" and purposely broke Hogan's leg.
Hogan's First Opponent, Brian Blair
August 10, 1977
Eddie Graham booked Hogan against Brian Blair in Fort Myers, Florida on August 10, 1977. A short time later, Bollea donned a mask and assumed the persona of "The Super Destroyer," a hooded character first played by Don Jardine and subsequently used by several other wrestlers.
Won First Wrestling Championships
June 1, 1979
In June 1979, Bollea won his first wrestling championships, the NWA Southeast Heavyweight Championship recognized in Alabama and Tennessee, respectively, when he defeated Ox Baker
World Wide Wrestling Federation
April 2, 1980
Legendary wrestler and former NWA World Champion Terry Funk introduced Bollea to World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) chief Vince McMahon Sr., who was impressed with his charisma and physical stature; on the Fifteen Greatest Superstars of the '80s DVD, Vince McMahon revealed that his father gave Bollea the last name Hogan, as he was obsessed with using Irish names.
Big Feud with Andre the Giant
July 1, 1980
Hogan wrestled Bob Backlund for the WWWF Championship, and started his first big feud with Andre the Giant which culminated in a match with Andre at Shea Stadium underneath the famous Bruno Sammartino-Larry Zbyszko Steel Cage match.
International Wrestling Grand Prix
June 2, 1983
On June 2, 1983, Hogan became the first International Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP) tournament winner, defeating Japanese wrestling icon Antonio Inoki by knockout in the finals of a 10-man tournament featuring top talent from throughout the world.[
Married Linda Claridge
December 18, 1983 - Now
On December 18, 1983, Hogan married Linda Claridge. They have a daughter Brooke (born May 5, 1988) and a son Nick (born July 27, 1990).
Return to the WWF
December 27, 1983
Hogan made his return to the WWF at a television taping in St. Louis, Missouri on December 27, 1983 defeating Bill Dixon.[17] Initially, Hogan was a heel, allied with veteran wrestler-turned-manager "Classy" Freddie Blassie; however, this was short-lived.
Hogan saved Bob Backlund
January 7, 1984
On January 7, 1984 edition of Championship Wrestling, Hogan saved Bob Backlund from a three-way assault. Hogan's turn was explained simply by Backlund: "He's changed his ways. He's a great man. He's told me he's not gonna have Blassie around".
First WWF Championship
January 23, 1984
On January 23, Hogan won his first WWF Championship, pinning The Iron Sheik (who had Blassie in his corner) in Madison Square Garden. The storyline accompanying the victory was that Hogan was a "last minute" replacement for the Sheik's original opponent Bob Backlund, and became the champion by way of being the first man to escape the camel clutch (the Iron Sheik's signature move). He became the first ever Southern-born WWF Champion.
Co-hosted Saturday Night Live
March 30, 1985
Hogan co-hosted Saturday Night Live on March 30, 1985 during the lucrative run of Hulkmania.
First WrestleMania
March 31, 1985
The centerpiece attraction for the first WrestleMania on March 31, 1985, Hogan teamed with real-life friend Mr. T to defeat his arch-rival "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.
Cover of Sports Illustrated
April 29, 1985
Featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling
September 14, 1985 - June 27, 1987
It featured animated adventures of popular WWF stars from the time, including its title character Hulk Hogan. Hogan was the leader of the faces, or good guys, and Roddy Piper was the leader of the heels, or bad guys
No Holds Barred
June 2, 1989
Rip (Hogan) is the World Wrestling Federation champion who is faithful to his fans and the network he wrestles for
Rocky III
May 28, 1992
Cast as Thunderlips in Rocky III.
Hogan Leaves the WWF
June 1, 1993
After Hogan left the WWF in June 1993, he decided to take time off for about a year from professional wrestling to concentrate on movies, television, and his family.
Thunder in Paradise
September 22, 1993
He starred in his own television series, Thunder in Paradise, in 1994.
Mr. Nanny
October 8, 1993
A former pro-wrestler is hired to be the bodyguard/nanny for a couple of bratty kids whose inventor father is being stalked by a rival.
Steroids Scandal
Feburary 1, 1994
In 1994, a steroids scandal threatened the WWF, and Hogan testified in court that he had used steroids over a period of 12 years "to get big" and had also introduced WWF Chairman Vince McMahon to steroids during the filming of No Holds Barred.
World Championship Wrestling
June 1, 1994
In June 1994, Hogan signed with Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and began appearing on television the next month.
WCW World Heavyweight Championship
August 1, 1994
Hogan won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in his debut match, overcoming Ric Flair in a 'dream' match at Bash at the Beach 1994.
Hogan released a music CD
January 1, 1995
Hogan released a music CD, Hulk Rules, as Hulk Hogan and The Wrestling Boot Band. Also, Green Jellÿ released a single, a duet with Hogan, performing Gary Glitter's classic song I'm the Leader of the Gang (I Am).
He has also made cameos in several music videos. The music video for Dolly Parton's wrestling-themed love song Headlock on my Heart features Hogan as "Starlight Starbright". In the music video "Pressure" by Belly ft. Ginuwine, Hogan and his daughter Brooke both made brief cameo appearances.
Pastamania
September 4, 1995
Hulk Hogan's Pastamania was a restaurant in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. It was created and financed by Hogan. It opened on the Labor Day weekend of 1995 and was later heavily hyped on World Championship Wrestling's live flagship show WCW Monday Nitro, which actually premiered that September from the mall. The restaurant, which remained in operation for less than a year, featured such dishes as "Hulk-U's" and "Hulk-A-Roos."
Hollywood Hogan
January 1, 1996
Hogan grew a beard alongside his famous mustache and dyed it black, traded his red and yellow garb in for black clothing, renamed himself Hollywood Hogan, and returned to WCW programming eight days after his heel turn
Hogan to Turns Heel
May 1, 1996
During a six man tag team match at Bash at the Beach 1996, Hulk Hogan interfered on behalf of The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall), attacking babyface Randy Savage. This action caused Hogan to turn heel for the first time in over ten years. After the match, Hogan delivered a now-infamous promo, accosting the fans and WCW for underappreciating his talent and drawing power. This culminated with Hogan's announcement of the formation of a "New World Order."
Santa with Muscles
November 8, 1996
An evil millionaire (Hulk Hogan) gets amnesia and then belives that he is Santa Claus.
Edition of Nitro
August 4, 1997
On August 4, 1997 edition of Nitro, Hogan lost the WCW title to Luger.[101] However, five days later, at Road Wild 1997, Hogan defeated Luger to regain the WCW title and begin his third WCW World Heavyweight Championship
3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain
April 10, 1998
Cast as Dave Dragon in the movie.
Retirement from Professional Wrestling
November 25, 1998
On the Thanksgiving episode of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Hogan officially announced his retirement from professional wrestling, as well as his candidacy for President of the United States. Campaign footage aired on Nitro of Hogan and Bischoff holding a press conference, making it appear legit. In the long run, however, both announcements were false and merely done as a publicity stunt attempting to draw some of the hype of Jesse Ventura's Minnesota gubernatorial win back to him.
"Retired" Hogan Returns
January 4, 1999
After some time off from WCW, a still "retired" Hogan returned on January 4, 1999 edition of Nitro to challenge Kevin Nash for the WCW title. He controversially regained his fifth WCW World Heavyweight Championship in what was later dubbed the Fingerpoke of Doom.[3][50][115][116] This reformed the divided nWo branches -- nWo Hollywood and nWo Wolfpac -- which began feuding with Bill Goldberg and The Four Horsemen.
Out of the Public Eye
July 1, 2000 - November 1, 2001
From July 2000 to November 2001, Hogan was out of the public eye. He had been dealing with self-doubt and depression following the Vince Russo incident, wondering if what Russo had said about him was true. Hogan was also dealing with the death of his father Peter Bollea in December 2001, which he took very hard
WWE Tag Team Championship
July 4, 2002
On July 4, 2002 edition of SmackDown!, Hogan teamed with Edge to defeat Billy and Chuck and capture the WWE Tag Team Championship for the first time. This marked the only time Hogan ever won a title that was not the major heavyweight singles championship of the promotion he was in. They celebrated by waving the American flag as the overjoyed audience sang along to Hogan's theme song "Real American." They later dropped the titles to The Un-Americans (Lance Storm and Christian), at Vengeance 2002.[
Mr. America
Feburary 1, 2003
Hogan had a run as the mask-wearing spoof superhero Mr. America. The persona was supposed to be Hulk Hogan in disguise, wearing a mask. He used Hulk Hogan's "Real American" theme music and used all of Hogan's signature gestures, moves, and phrases. He was the subject of a storyline that took place after Hollywood Hulk Hogan was forced by Vince McMahon to sit out the rest of his contract
Mr. America's last Appearance
June 26, 2003
Mr. America's last WWE appearance was on the June 26 edition of SmackDown! when The Big Show and World's Greatest Tag Team (Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas) defeated the team of Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle and Mr. America in a six-man tag team match when Show pinned Mr. America. After the show went off the air, Mr. America unmasked to show the fans that he was indeed Hulk Hogan, putting his finger to his lips telling the fans to keep quiet about his secret. The next week, Hogan quit WWE due to frustration with the creative team.
Hogan's return to WWE
April 2, 2005
In 2005, weeks before WrestleMania 21, it was announced on all WWE programming that Hogan would be inducted on that year's Hall of Fame. This signaled Hogan's return to WWE. On April 2, 2005, Hogan was inducted by actor and friend Sylvester Stallone. Hogan was applauded for several minutes before he was able to make a speech. When he paused during his speech the crowd chanted "One More Match! One More Match!", the fans also chanted "Austin, Hogan"(referring to a Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan match). Hogan responded "that may be a good match someday".
Colma: The Musical
May 1, 2006
Hogan plays an old guy in a bar in Colma: The Musical (2006) in which he sings and dances about being single.
WrestleMania 22
July 15, 2006
Prior to WrestleMania 22, Hogan inducted friend and former announcer "Mean" Gene Okerlund into the WWE Hall of Fame. Hogan returned on July 15, 2006 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event with his daughter Brooke. During the show, Randy Orton flirted with Hogan's daughter and later challenged Hulk to a match at SummerSlam 2006, which Hogan won.
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Feburary 1, 2007
On Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2007, Bollea announced his endorsement of Democratic Presidential canidate Senator Barack Obama
PMG Clash of Legends
April 27, 2007
Hulk Hogan defeated Paul "The Great" Wight at PMG Clash of Legends on April 27, 2007 when he picked up and body slammed Wight and pinned him following the leg drop.
Criminal Charges on Son
November 7, 2007
Hogan's 17 year old son Nick was indicted as an adult on four criminal charges on November 7, 2007. These charges stemmed from an August car accident, which injured John Graziano to the point where he will be in a nursing home the rest of his life.
Hogan's Wife Files for Divorce
November 20, 2007
On November 20, 2007, Hogan's wife Linda filed for divorce in Pinellas County, Florida. Hulk told St. Petersburg Times he wasn't even aware of the filing when the paper called for a comment. The Graziano family's lawyer believes the divorce might be an attempt to divide the family's assets from a planned civil suit against the Bolleas regarding their son, Nick Bollea.
American Gladiators
January 1, 2008
Hogan hosts the comeback series of American Gladiators, which has been picked up for a midseason run on NBC in 2008.
Krewe of Bacchus
Feburary 1, 2008
Hogan was honored as the 2008 king of the Krewe of Bacchus, a New Orleans carnival organization. As Bacchus XL, he joined the ranks of Charlton Heston, Jackie Gleason, and Bob Hope. Hogan visited the Children's Hospital of New Orleans and rode in the parade where he threw doubloons with his likeness. Hogan received the honor in part because meeting Hogan is one of the most requested "wishes" of the terminally ill children benefited by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
