Hulk Hogan had a profound impact on pro wrestling as he helped change the business in a massive way. Hogan’s charisma and popularity helped wrestling become more mainstream and draw in casual fans. Although there had been many big stars before The Hulkster in pro wrestling, his connection with the audience transcended the industry. Hogan’s character related to the people and made wrestling a bigger phenomenon. The reason Vince McMahon handpicked Hogan to lead his revolution was due to his already established name among the viewers. This was because of his short but hit cameo in Sylvester Stallone’s popular boxing movie Rocky III. In an interview in 1991, Hogan talked about how Rocky III got people interested in wrestling.
Hulk Hogan said people got interested in wrestling after his Rocky III appearance
Wrestling in the 70 and early 80s was popular among locals with little mainstream attention. Despite this, many promoters didn’t like their wrestlers trying their luck in Hollywood. In fact, they viewed it as taboo for wrestlers to act in movies. But when Hogan got the chance to do a role in a well-established franchise like Rocky, he couldn’t turn down the offer, despite Vince McMahon Sr. firing him for the same.
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But Hogan’s move turned out to be beneficial not only for him but for the pro wrestling business as well. In an old interview on Good Morning Britain, the Immortal One said his appearance led to more people taking interest in his in-ring character and wrestling as a whole. Hogan played the role of ‘Thunderlips’ who fights Stallone’s character in an exhibition match. The viewers got the first glimpse of Hogan’s strength and charisma and he became a hit.
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The Immortal One said the movie was his first big break. Hogan said his impressive physique caught the attention of those who watched him. He said, “It was kind of my first big break. From that point, everybody said ‘oh my gosh’. The people that didn’t know what wrestling was saw me.”Hogan mentioned how his towering presence over Stallone drew fan interest in wrestling.
He continued, “Stallone was 100ft high as far as a hero figure. And when they saw me standing next to him they really got interested into what Hulk Hogan was all about and what wrestling was all about.” Unlike his father, Vince McMahon had no problems in Hogan going to Hollywood, he rehired him and used his growing popularity to his advantage.
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Within years, Hulkamania was running wild not only nationally but on a global scale. Many today know Hulk Hogan as the man who put wrestling on the map. But it was his cameo in Rocky III that made him a sensation among people and led to a legendary in-ring career.
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