The Pro Wrasslin' Thread (WWE, WWF, WCW, TNA, ROH, NWA, NJPW, etc)

[PAOerfulone]

Hogan's legacy is a rather controversial and complicated one.

On one hand, professional wrestling as we know it today, the history behind it for the last 40 years, and everything we know and love about it today - He's the one. He's the one who made it possible. He's the one most responsible for all of it. There's a reason why Vince chose him. Vince may have had the dream, but the dream does not become reality without Hogan. The guy had the look that SCREAMED superstar and had charisma oozing out of his pours. The guy was front and center for not one, but TWO 'boom' periods in wrestling - The 80s Rock 'n' Wresting Connection/Golden Era of the WWF and the rise of WCW/the Monday Night Wars of the mid-late 90s.

No matter how much you may hate the guy - And there is A LOT of reason to hate him for sure - You cannot take that away from him. You cannot deny the impact he had on wrestling as a whole. Doing so is straight up delusional and you can't possibly expect to be taken seriously if you do. Professional Wrestling as whole is what it is today, thanks to Hulk Hogan.

That said, for as much good as he did for pro wrestling - He also did PLENTY of bad. Chief among them - Ratting out Jesse Ventura and his attempt to form a union for the wrestlers - Something that could have protected all the boys and girls from back then and now and could have saved A LOT of lives - Just to line his own pockets. He is an absolute piece of shit for that, and he deserves all the flack he gets for doing that - In life AND in death. There was also the whole Steroid scandel, that DISASTROUS Arsenio Hall appearance. His politicking and sabotaging other wrestlers' careers just to feed his own ego - (WrestleMania IX, Starrcade '97, Bash at the Beach '00, etc.) which helped contribute to the eventual demise of WCW. For as much as he helped lift that company to its highest highs, he also helped contribute to its lowest lows and downfall.

And then there's the sex tapes and the horribly racist shit he said on them. And contrary to what many might say, no, he never did apologize for what he said. All he ever apologized for was the fact that he wasn't aware he was being taped and trying to caution the talent to be aware of that possibility... "I'm only sorry that I got caught, brother!"

TL:DR - His legacy basically comes down to this:
Hulk Hogan, the wrestler - The biggest icon, legend, and pioneer in the history of wrestling who did more than anyone in history to shape it into what it is today. And his impact is undeniable and will *ahem* live forever. And he absolutely deserves his respect and flowers for that.
Terry Bollea, the person - Vile, despicable, piece of shit human being whom the world is better off without.

Last edited by PAOerfulone - on 25 July 2025