Hulk Hogan was a real-life superhero.

Sure, he played a character in a kayfabe universe.

But for kids growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, like myself,

he was much more real than a comic-book creation. He

was the Immortal One with 24-inch pythons who taught

us to say our prayers and eat our vitamins. He was the

Irresistible Force who defied gravity by scoop-slamming

the Immovable Object, Andre the Giant, at WrestleMania

III. He’s the reason professional wrestling is where it is

today. And I’m not even going to entertain a debate

about that.

Vince McMahon gets similar credit, of course. But the

Hulkster didn’t just get picked to carry the WWF’s torch,

he took that torch and used it to build an army of Hulkamaniacs.

There are some who will say they were rooting for Macho Man Randy Savage over Hogan at WrestleMania V. There are others who will tell you they were happy to see The Ultimate Warrior defeat Hogan at WrestleMania VI. But when that music played on the Grandest Stage Of ‘Em All, and you heard, “WHEN IT COMES CRASHING DOWN AND IT HURTS INSIDE,” that’s when the experience became DIFFERENT. It was the way it hit you. It was the yellow, it was the red. It was that big-fight feel. And it was fucking fantastic. Hulkamania was running wild, whether you liked it or not.

But really, most fans loved it. That’s why his infamous heel turn at WCW Bash at the Beach in 1996 — where Hogan joined forces with The Outsiders, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, to form the legendary New World Order — was so shocking. The lovable Hulkster suddenly became “Hollywood Hogan,” a rebel who defied authority, had no respect for his peers, and spray-painted nWo onto whoever wasn’t throwing up a “Too Sweet" hand gesture.

We were supposed to hate him for such a despicable act. But it had the opposite effect. Hulk Hogan could do no wrong. He was too important, too polarizing, too entertaining. The nWo created a cult following. And while Eric Bischoff and the powers-that-be at WCW get credit for choosing Hogan to be “the third man” and the eventual leader of the nWo, it was Hogan who proved, once again, that his larger-than-life presence could build another army, that was, as the nWo would say, “4-Life.”

This week, Hulk Hogan passed away at the age of 71. His death was met with praise and respect, but also some shade.

The man behind the character, Terry Bollea, wasn’t perfect. But who is? It must be said, that admiring and honoring Hulk Hogan doesn’t equate to agreeing with everything Terry Bollea has ever said and felt. So let’s just cut the shit with that right here, right now.

In my world, Hogan will be remembered for what he helped create, which was mainstream Pro Wrestling, and more specifically, the Greatest Show on Earth: the WWE.

Hogan was the star player in the first nine WrestleManias. He was the QB1. He walked, so that modern day WWE superstars like John Cena and Roman Reigns could run. Hogan had it all: the entrance, the merch, the promos, the taunts, the signature moves. You couldn’t replicate him if you tried. He was one of one, a legend’s legend.

Yes, my favorite wrestler of all-time is The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels. But, Hulk Hogan was the only reason I became obsessed with Pro Wrestling in the first place. The Hulkster brought out all the emotions in a kid who watched in disbelief as Hogan’s chain was ripped off his neck by Andre inside Piper’s Pit, as his “lust” for Miss Elizabeth forced the Mega Powers to collide at WrestleMania V, and as he nearly brought Peace to the Middle East after defeating Iraqi war sympathizer Sgt. Slaughter for the WWF Championship at WrestleMania VII.

I mean, come on. How can you NOT be romantic about Professional Wrestling after all that?

And how could you NOT have Hogan on your Mount Rushmore of Pro Wrestling? The “Mount Rushmore” debate is a controversial one, but that should only be for the other three wrestlers. If you don’t have The Hulkster as a lock on yours, then I can’t take your opinions too seriously.

Hulk Hogan made the world fall in love with Pro Wrestling. Not because he was doing moonsaults off the top rope, or because he was wowing us with his grace inside the squared circle. But because he knew how to entertain. He threw punches, gave a mean back rake, and really knew how to lock in a sleeper hold. Think you got him finished off? Think again, because he's ready to “Hulk Up" and become invincible to pain.

Then, when it was time to send it home, the Hulkster would hit you with an Irish whip, a big boot, and a running leg drop. Nothing crazy, but he found a way to make it dramatic enough so that you couldn’t look away. Imagine being so over, that you’re able to turn a leg drop into must-see TV. Hogan not only did that, but he used it to turn the entire territory-based “wrassling” industry into the sports-entertainment phenomenon we love watching today.

We understand what it is. It’s a Broadway Show. But it doesn’t matter. We love it. And every time the bell rings, our suspension of disbelief that kicks in is something magical. It's a feeling that can’t be taught or forced. You either love it or you don’t. And if you do, then, well, I got news for you, it’s because of Hulk Hogan.

Heck, the Hulkster got me to love it so much that I now own a Pro Wrestling company: Undisputed Wrestling Entertainment (UWE), where I’m “Notorious P.I.C.” and work as the hype man for former (and future) NXT/WWE powerhouse Parker Boudreaux. We haven’t had a show in a few months due to an ongoing legal matter, but that’s for another time.

Anyways, my point is, I wouldn’t be dishing out superkicks and cutting promos in empty bingo halls had I not watched Hulk Hogan shine in the WWF as a wide-eyed kid in the 80’s and 90’s. And again, Vince McMahon deserves his flowers for giving Hogan that shine, but let’s be honest, he didn’t exactly put lipstick on a pig and make her fly. Hogan was the real deal. He was a colorful, charismatic monster who was given the keys to McMahon’s Corvette and turned himself into a superhero.

Yes, a real-life Superhero. A Real American. A World Champion. A Megastar. An Icon. The Greatest Of All Time.

Now, Hulk Hogan is gone. But let me tell you something, brother… Hulkamania will live forever. Or at least, it most definitely should.

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- Notorious P.I.C.