Nini Hulk Hogan Anamaanisha Kwangu

By: Tony Penecale

Hii itakuwa ndefu. Ndivyo tunavyofanya waandishi wa habari, tunaandika. Ninaandika makala hii ya heshima kwa shujaa wa utotoni, Hulk Hogan. Ninaandika hii zaidi kwa ajili yangu mwenyewe. Hiki ni kifo cha mtu mashuhuri ambacho kimeniathiri kama hakuna mwingine. Ninaweza kuelewa kikweli jinsi watu walivyohisi Elvis alipokufa.

Nimekaa juu ya mawazo na maneno haya kwa wiki sasa. Unasemaje kwaheri kwa ikoni, kitu ambacho kimefafanua maisha yako kwa muda mrefu kama unaweza kukumbuka?  Terry Bollea, mwanamieleka kitaaluma na ikoni ya kitamaduni inayojulikana ulimwenguni kote kama Hulk Hogan, alifariki ghafla Julai 24 baada ya kupata mshtuko wa moyo nyumbani kwake huko Florida.

Ingawa kuna mabishano na maoni ya mgawanyiko juu ya Terry Bollea mtu katika miaka michache iliyopita, Ninataka kuweka mawazo yangu juu ya Hulk Hogan, mwanamieleka na mtumbuizaji ambaye alimaanisha mengi kwangu katika kipindi kilichopita 40 miaka.

Katika kile kilichokuwa kama dhoruba kamili, Hulk Hogan alikuja maishani mwangu mwaka wa 1983. Nilikuwa tu nimehamia mtaa mpya kwani babu yangu alikuwa mgonjwa mahututi., na tulikuwa tunaenda kumsaidia bibi yangu kumtunza katika miezi yake ya mwisho. Sikuwahi kuwa na kebo hapo awali. Baba yangu wakati mwingine angetazama programu ya mieleka kwenye nyumba yetu ya zamani, na ningekaa naye. Wakati huo WWE (kisha WWF) lilikuwa eneo la mkoa wa kaskazini-mashariki. Bingwa alikuwa Bob Backlund lakini kwa mtoto aliyevutiwa na Star Wars na He-Man, alikuwa tu wazi sana na boring kukamata mawazo yangu.

Rocky III alikuwa ametolewa 1982 na maandishi yaliita msuli, kubwa-kuliko-maisha wrestler kujaza nafasi ya Thunderlips na Hogan alikuwa chaguo asili. Alikuwa kisigino (mtu mbaya) tabia yake mapema katika kazi yake na utendaji wake ulimletea kutambuliwa kwa kawaida. Pamoja na upatikanaji wa cable, ilionekana kuwa Rocky III ilikuwa ikionyeshwa karibu kila siku na ningeitazama baada ya katuni za alasiri.

Desemba hiyo, Bob Backlund alipoteza cheo cha WWE kwa Iron Sheik mbaya na wa kudharauliwa. Sikuwa shabiki mkubwa wa Backlund, lakini akili yangu ya umri wa miaka 7 haikuweza kufahamu ulimwengu ulio na "mtu mbaya" kama bingwa wa mieleka. Dunia ilikuwa na usawa mnamo Januari 23, 1984, wakati Hogan alipochukua nafasi ya Backlund "aliyejeruhiwa" na kumshinda Iron Sheik kwenye bustani ya Madison Square..

Nilipotazama hii kwenye TV, Niliweza kuhisi msisimko na shangwe wakati Hulk aliposhinda tena taji la Amerika. Katika mawazo yangu, Hulk Hogan alikuwa mtu mbaya katika Rocky III hadi Rocky "akamgeuza kuwa mzuri." Katika wakati huo, Nilipata shujaa, Superman wa maisha halisi, mtu ambaye angeweza kukabiliana na changamoto za wapiganaji wabaya wote. Kuwa na kebo, Ningeweza kutazama kadi za kila mwezi kutoka kwa Philadelphia Spectrum, kushangilia Hulkster kila mwezi.

Februari 1985 iliashiria mwaka mzima wa kuwa Hulkamaniac kamili kwangu. Kulikuwa na kadi ya matinee iliyoshikiliwa kwenye Spectrum, na baba yangu aliamua kunipeleka kuona Hulk akitetea keki ya Brutus Beefcake. Bado nakumbuka msisimko wa ajabu walipokuwa wakicheza "Jicho la Chui" wakati Hulk alipoingia kwenye pete.. Ilikuwa ya kusisimua sana. Nilirekodi mchezo wa marudio siku iliyofuata kwenye TV na nilisadikishwa kwamba nilijiona kwenye matangazo. Haikuwa hadi miaka kadhaa baadaye ndipo nilipotazama mechi hiyo kwenye Youtube na nikagundua mtu ambaye nilifikiri ni mimi alikuwa kijana tu. 10 miaka mingi kuliko mimi na amevaa tu koti kama hilo.

WWE ilikuwa ikiwasilisha supercard yenye jina la "Wrestlemania" mwezi uliofuata, na nilijaribu kumshawishi baba yangu aniruhusu niione. Hii ilikuwa kabla ya kuagiza kadi za kulipia kutazama ukiwa nyumbani na mahali pekee tulipoweza kuona ni utangazaji wa moja kwa moja katika Philadelphia Spectrum.. Nilichezea orodha ya watu mashuhuri ambao wangekuwepo, akiwemo Muhammad Ali. Alikubali kunichukua, na nilipata kuona nyota zote kubwa kama Mbwa Junkyard na Andre the Giant. Lakini mechi iliyonifanya nitetemeke kwenye kiti changu ilikuwa mechi ya kinyongo na Hulk akishirikiana na Rocky III costar na icon ya A-Team., Mr. T walipochukua wawili wasaliti wa Rowdy Roddy Piper na Paul "Mr. Ajabu” Orndorf. Bila shaka, mashujaa walishinda, na tukio hilo lilikuwa jambo kuu zaidi nililowahi kuona.

Kuanzia wakati huo, Nilikuwa juu ya kila kitu na chochote Hulk Hogan. Alikuwa shujaa mkubwa zaidi duniani. Nilimpenda He-Man, GI Joe, na Transfoma, lakini vilikuwa tu vinyago vya uwongo na katuni. Nilikuwa shabiki mkubwa wa Rocky, lakini nilijua kuwa ilikuwa sinema tu. Lakini Hulk Hogan… nilimtazama kila wiki, na niliamini mieleka ni kweli. Nilitaka kukua na kuwa mwanamieleka. Jina langu litakuwa "Tornado Tony" na ningekuwa mshirika wa timu ya tag ya Hulk Hogan.. Tulikuwa tunaenda kwenye hafla kuu ya Wrestlemania kama timu ya lebo. Ningefanya mazoezi kwa kutumia vifaa vya mazoezi vya Hulkamania na dumbe za plastiki, kushika mkono, na jumprope. Nilikuwa na sanduku la chakula cha mchana la Hulk Hogan kwa shule, Nilikuwa na t-shirt ya Hulk Hogan, na takwimu zote za hatua za LJN.

Nilipata marafiki wengi tofauti shuleni nikizungumza tu juu ya mieleka, baadhi ya watoto ambao nilifikiri sikuwa na uhusiano wowote nao. Kama mtoto wa kawaida mwenye aibu, ikiwa nilimwona mtoto mwingine akiwa na mada ya mieleka, kama kibandiko cha mieleka kwenye mkoba au kadi chache za biashara, Ningetoka kwenye ganda langu na kuanza mazungumzo. Inevitably, tungepanga kutazama programu ya kila juma inayopeperushwa kila Jumamosi asubuhi, ikijumuisha katuni yenye mandhari ya Hulk Hogan ambayo ilikuwa maarufu sana. Wakati huu, wazazi wangu wangeniruhusu nikeshe usiku sana ikiwa Tukio Kuu la Jumamosi Usiku lilikuwa likionyeshwa. Ilikuwa burudani ya kukaribishwa lakini pia ilihuzunisha sana kumtazama King Kong Bundy ambaye ni mwovu akimtuma Hulk nje kwenye machela.. Kama kiwewe kama ilivyokuwa, haikutosha kunizuia nisikubali mwaliko wa sherehe ya siku ya kuzaliwa kutazama 2^nd awamu ya Wrestlemania na baadhi ya wanafunzi wenzangu. Tulifurahi wakati wa kuingia kwa Hogan, tulishikilia pumzi yetu ya pamoja wakati Bundy alipata faida, na kisha kusherehekea wakati Hogan alitawala.

Biashara ya mieleka ikiwa katika kilele cha umaarufu na Hulk akiongoza, walihitaji kitu kikubwa, kubwa ajabu, kujaza 93,000 Pontiac Silverdome kwa Wrestlemania III. Walichofanya ni kulinganisha Hogan na mtu mkubwa zaidi katika michezo ya kitaaluma, kihalisi na kimafumbo, walipomgombanisha na rafiki yake wa zamani katika urefu wa futi 7, 500 lb. Andre Jitu. Jitu, safi kutoka kwa usaliti wake kwa Hogan, inawezekana ilikuwa changamoto kubwa sana kwa shujaa wetu kushinda. Baada ya kustahimili mapigo mengi dhidi ya mpinzani wake wa kutisha zaidi, Hulk bado aliweza kujiinua na kumshinda mpinzani wake mkubwa, ikiwa ni pamoja na bodyslam maarufu zaidi wakati wote.

Muda mfupi baada ya Wrestlemania III, upeo wangu ulianza kupanuka. Nilipendezwa na michezo, hasa ndondi. Nilikuwa nikitazama sinema zaidi na kucheza michezo tofauti ya video. Nikiwa bado natazama mieleka, na nilijiona kama Hulkamaniac mwaminifu, Nilianza kuingia kwenye programu nyingine, hasa nyakati ambazo Hogan hangekuwa anarekodi filamu na vipindi vya televisheni.

Nilipofika Sekondari, Nilikuwa nikitazama tu mieleka. Haikuwa jambo la kupendeza kufanya tena. Wakati mwingine ningetazama programu na nilipenda kutazama ni The Undertaker, Kiwembe Ramon, na Deisel. Hatukuwa na vyama vya mieleka tena, takwimu yangu LJN walikuwa packed katika sanduku katika Attic, na hatukuwa na mechi za nyuma. Mapambano ya mieleka ya miaka ya 80 yalikuwa yamefifia, na biashara ilikuwa na kashfa za steroid na madawa ya kulevya. Haikuwa tena aina ya burudani isiyo na hatia ambayo nilikua nikitazama.

Mwaka wangu wa pili chuoni, Nilikuwa nikilala na mvulana ambaye alipenda mieleka, na nikaanza kutazama naye. Hogan alikuwa katika mpinzani wa WCW, na tungelinganisha mashirika yote mawili, zote mbili zikiwa bado zinatumia mada na hila zilizopitwa na wakati. Huku tukitazama kama kikundi, Sikujipata nikitazama niliporudi nyumbani kwa mapumziko ya kiangazi. Hiyo ilibadilika mnamo Mei 27, 1996, WCW iliporusha bomu. Upangaji wao usio na maana ulipata msukumo kwa kuwasili kwa mshangao kwa Scott Hall (aliyekuwa Kiwembe Ramon), ikifuatiwa wiki chache baadaye na rafiki yake Kevin Nash (Deisel wa zamani). 

WCW sasa walikuwa na hisia mbaya na hamu ilifikia kilele kwa Bash yao kwenye kadi ya Pwani, inapatikana tu kwa kununua matangazo ya kulipia kwa kila mtazamo. Hall na Nash, na ahadi ya mshirika wa siri, alipigana na ushujaa watatu wa Randy Savage, Kuumwa, na Lex Luger. Kupona kutoka kwa upasuaji wa goti wa hivi karibuni, Sikununua show. Sikuwa nimesikia matokeo au ripoti zozote nilipotazama programu ya Jumatatu usiku. Kwa goti langu lililoinuka na, katika usingizi unaosababishwa na maumivu, Nilimtazama Hulk akienda kwenye pete wakati wa tukio kuu. Alikuwepo kuokoa mashujaa na kupeleka wabaya kukimbia. Au ndivyo nilivyofikiria. Nakumbuka nikifikiria “Je, alimshambulia tu mtu asiyefaa?” huku akidondosha saini yake kwenye Savage.

Kama alivyofanya 12 miaka iliyopita, Hulk Hogan tena alikuwa kitovu cha mapinduzi ya mieleka. Wakati huu alifanya hivyo kwa kujigeuza kuwa tabia ya kisigino na kuongeza moniker "Hollywood" kwa jina lake. Alibadilisha nembo yake ya rangi ya manjano na nyekundu kuwa rangi nyeusi na nyeupe na akaweka alama ya "Agizo la Ulimwengu Mpya" la mieleka. Alirudisha mieleka kwenye mkondo. Vyombo vya habari vilifunika mieleka tena. Ilikuwa ni mazungumzo karibu na mji, shule na ofisi, jinsi Hulk Hogan aligeuka kuwa mtu mbaya. Pamoja na Hall na Nash, alifanya hivyo baridi kuwa mbaya.

Ili kukabiliana na mlipuko wa ukadiriaji wa WCW, WWE ilirekebisha bidhaa mbaya zaidi, ikiongozwa na Stone Cold Steve Austin na Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Siku za Jumatatu usiku zikawa vita vya ukadiriaji kati ya kampuni zote mbili na kutazama mieleka ilikuwa ni "ndani" ya kufanya tena.

Nakumbuka nilitembea hadi kwa kijana mmoja kwenye chuo chetu ambaye alikuwa amevaa t-shirt ya NWO. Nilimtazama na kumuuliza “Je!?” na kutoa ishara ya “Kwa Maisha” kwa mkono wangu wa kushoto. Alijibu kwa ishara ya “Tamu Sana”. Tumekuwa marafiki tangu na kila mwaka kwenye siku zetu za kuzaliwa., tunachapisha salamu za NWO kwenye ukurasa wa media ya kijamii wa mwingine.

Ili kukabiliana na mlipuko wa ukadiriaji wa WCW, WWE ilirekebisha bidhaa mbaya zaidi, ikiongozwa na Stone Cold Steve Austin na Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Siku za Jumatatu usiku zikawa vita vya ukadiriaji kati ya kampuni zote mbili na kutazama mieleka ilikuwa ni "ndani" ya kufanya tena. Mieleka katika miaka ya 80 ilikuwa kama muongo, sauti kubwa, rangi, na juu-juu. Mieleka katika miaka ya 90 ilifanana na nyakati za mabadiliko, grittier na ya kweli zaidi. Mpinga shujaa muasi ulikuwa mtindo maarufu na ambao uliendana na mtazamo wa utu wangu ambao umegeuka kuwa 21..

Katika mwaka wangu mdogo katika 1997, Nilichaguliwa kupiga ngumi katika Tamasha la kifahari la Collegiate East-West Classic huko Reno, NV. Kwa bahati mbaya, wiki moja tu kabla ya pambano, my scheduled opponent was forced to withdraw with an injury and a teammate in a lighter weight class was taken in my place. While at a layover in the San Francisco airport, my boxing teammates saw Hulk Hogan walking by, dressed in his black and white NWO garb. They stopped him for a photo, and he obliged. Being a member of the school journalism club, I had to submit that photo for publishing in our school newspaper, the very photo that I should have been included in. The following year, I was able to make the trip to Reno, NV to compete in the East-West Classic. I walked all through the airport with another boxer on the trip, looking for any WCW wrestler that might be in the San Francisco airport, even though there was really only one that I was looking to meet.

After graduating, I kept up with the wrestling trend. In 2001, WWE purchased a faltering WCW, and just a year later, Hulk Hogan returned to battle The Rock in an ageless classic where the fans embraced his return. Hulk would leave and return to the company several times over the next few years, and during each return, when the first few chords of his signature theme “Real American” would hit the air, the deafening reaction of the crowd would fill the arena with such electricity.

By the mid-2000s, I come to realize that my opportunity to meet my all-time favorite wrestler and icon was lost when that Reno boxer withdrew from our bout in 1997. Being a naïve fan, Sikutambua kwamba Hulk alikuwa kweli kutoka eneo la Tampa. Kila mara alikuwa anatozwa bili kutoka Venice Beach, CA na mimi tulichukua hiyo kama ukweli. Nilianza kufanya safari ya kila mwaka ya chemchemi kwenda Clearwater in 2008 na, miaka michache baadaye, usafiri wangu ulipita baa inayoitwa "Hogan's Beach", karibu na uwanja wa ndege wa Tampa. Niligundua baadaye kuwa ilikuwa baa inayomilikiwa na Hulk Hogan, kwa hivyo niliamua kuongeza siku kwenye safari yangu kwa mwaka ujao kutembelea baa hiyo. Ilikuwa nafasi yangu ya kupata picha niliyohisi nilistahili. Katika 2015, Nilikwenda Hogan's Beach na kamera yangu tayari, isipokuwa hakukuwa na Hulk Hogan kwenye Pwani ya Hogan.

Na Hogan's Beach inafunga 2016, Nilisikia kwamba alikuwa na duka la kumbukumbu huko Clearwater Beach na kwamba wakati mwingine angejitokeza bila mpangilio. Nilifanya ziara ndani 2016, 2017, 2018, na 2019, wote bila bahati. Wakati fulani nilisikia kitu kama "Mbaya sana. Alikuwa hapa jana." Kila mwaka, Nilinunua shati na kuchukua picha nikiwa nje ya duka. Rafiki yangu na mwenzangu wa zamani Jason, ambaye alikuwa kwenye safari hiyo mbaya ya ndondi 1997, wangenibavu kila mwaka na kutoa maoni yao na picha yao kutoka uwanja wa ndege miongo miwili iliyopita. Ningejibu kila mara kuwa ningependa kumpata bondia huyo wa Reno ili hatimaye tupate mechi hiyo ya ndondi na kila mwaka, Ningeongeza mwaka mwingine wa riba juu ya kipigo alichokuwa anaenda kupata 20 miaka iliyopita.

Licha ya wakati wangu mbaya kila mwaka, kwenda kwenye Duka la Hogan's Beach huko Clearwater Beach lilikuwa jambo la kufurahisha. Nilipokuwa mtoto, kulikuwa na mazungumzo ya kufungua duka la mieleka kwenye soko la karibu la mkulima, na watoto katika ujirani wangu wote walizungumza kuhusu kile ambacho tungenunua, au katika hali halisi, tuwaombe wazazi wetu watununulie. Nilikuwa na hakika kwamba nilikuwa nikitoka na shati la Hulk Hogan linalotoa machozi, vigogo vya njano, magoti nyekundu, na buti za njano. Wazazi wangu hatimaye walinichukua, na, kwa kukata tamaa kwangu, ilikuwa ni takwimu chache tu za hatua ambazo tayari nilikuwa namiliki, t-shirt chache, na baadhi ya kadi za biashara. Duka huko Florida lilikuwa paradiso ya watoto wa miaka ya 80. Kulikuwa na kadhaa ya mashati ya kuchagua, pamoja na vitambaa vya kichwa, miwani ya risasi, takwimu za hatua, na mikanda ya replica. Kulikuwa na vitu vilivyoonyeshwa, kama vile mikanda ya kichwa ya Hulk iliyovaliwa na pete, an authentic Ric Flair robe, and a pair of Andre the Giant-sized wrestling trunks. During one of my talks with Hulk’s friend and business partner, Ron, he asked if I wanted to take a photo holding a few of the ring-worn belts. I first got to hold the spray-painted NWO belt, which was amazing. But what he brought out next nearly buckled my knees. It was the authentic belt that Hulk wore to the ring at Wrestlemania III when he battled Andre the Giant. The real-life belt from maybe the biggest match of all-time was resting on my shoulder. I tried to make a tough face for the photo, but I couldn’t resist the urge to break out a beaming smile as I held this iconic piece of my childhood.

I finally saw the golden opportunity for my long-awaited photo opportunity with the opening of Hogan’s Hangout bar and weekly karaoke nights. My visit was planned for March 14, 2022, and I was ready to impress the Hulkster will my version of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s classic “Baby Got Back”. I arrived early to get a good spot at the bar, and I had another ace up my sleeve. I brought a replica of the Thunderlips cape that he wore in Rocky III. There was no way that I could leave without a photo.

After meeting and chatting with longtime WWE/WCW manager and Hulk’s personal friend, Jimmy Hart, Nilichukua tena nafasi yangu kwenye baa na kungoja kwa hamu kama nilivyofanya nilipokuwa mtoto nikingojea kiingilio chake kwenye Philadelphia Spectrum. Kawaida kuwasili kati 8:15-8:20, Hulk hakufika hadi baadaye 8:30 na wakati bado alifanya mlango, ilikuwa imetiishwa kidogo. Kisha alichukua kipaza sauti na kutangaza kwamba alikuwa ametoka tu kupokea simu kwamba rafiki yake na mshirika wake wa NWO Scott Hall alikuwa amefariki dunia dakika chache kabla ya kuondolewa kwenye usaidizi wa maisha kufuatia mshtuko wa moyo. Kisha Hulk alituma msururu wa vinywaji katika baa ili sote tushiriki toast.

Baada ya hapo, the karaoke started. There wasn’t a board to see who was scheduled in queue and I impatiently waited to hear my name. I had heard that others had sent the DJ a Venmo bribe to ensure they were called. It was too late for that route. I could not think of leaving without getting that photo opportunity. Not only would I get ribbed mercilessly, but I also knew the reality of the rigors that professional wrestling takes on the body. Scott Hall had just passed away that day. Others like Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, and Curt Henning all died young. I couldn’t take the risk of waiting another year. I maneuvered myself towards the front, like I was navigating to the restroom, and I found the perfect spot where Hulk would pass on his way out. As he was getting ready to leave, he saw me and gave a “Yo Thundelips. Great cape, Brother!” comment. In that moment, I was not a 45-year-old insurance executive. I was again 10 umri wa miaka, and my favorite wrestler was calling me out. I extended my hand, and he accepted. Knowing I only had a second, I had the camera on selfie and got my photo.

A few weeks before my 2023 Clearwater trip, I saw that Hulk was doing a signing at his beach shop on the day I was scheduled to arrive. I had a morning flight and if all went well, unlike the six-hour delay the prior year due to a fuel leak, I would be able to get a photo and signature. I purchased the appearance ticket and prayed for no delays. After arriving with no issues, I took my place in line which was about a two-hour wait. Why so long?  Because Hulk wanted to take a few moments with everyone. When it was my turn, I introduced myself as “Tony Tornado” from Philadelphia. He responded “YO TONY TORNADO!  Nini juu, brother?” He asked if I was a wrestler and responded that I was not a wrestler but a boxer. He threw his hands up saying, “Don’t hit me, brother!” I thanked him for making my childhood special, especially that first Wrestlemania with my dad, and he signed a red Hulkamania tanktop for me. I told him that I would see him on Monday night for karaoke.

Unlike the previous year, they had an electronic board where you could see where you were in the queue. I arrived with some friends and texted in my go-to song except they had put time limit restrictions of four minutes, likely because the previous year, people were choosing songs like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Rappers Delight” (short version) that were lengthy song choices and didn’t give others their opportunity. With my signature song off the book, Nilichagua wimbo wa kawaida wa Run DMC "It's Tricky" kwa vile walikuwa wametumbuiza katika Wrestlemania V. Wakiwa wamevalia kofia yangu ya Thunderlips na fedora nyeupe yenye manyoya mekundu yanayolingana na nikingoja Hulk aingie., rafiki yangu alinyoosha kidole kwenye ubao wa foleni ya nyimbo kuonyesha kwamba nilikuwa wa pili kuimba. Wakati hatimaye aliingia dakika chache baada ya utendaji wangu, aliona cape na fedora na kupiga kelele "Tony Tornado!  Je, unaimba, Brother?” Nilimwambia tayari nimeshaimba akaitikia kupanda jukwaani kwa sababu alitaka kupiga picha na mimi.Kama nipo Cloud 9 mwaka uliopita, hii ililipua kabisa kutoka kwa maji. Rafiki zangu wachache pia waliimba na tulipiga risasi chache katika kusherehekea, hatua ambayo nilijuta baadaye kwani hangover ya siku iliyofuata haikuwa ya kupendeza.

Niliimba mara nyingine katika Hangout ya Hogan mwaka wa 2024. Nilichelewa kufika Clearwater Beach na nikaona marafiki wengine kwenye baa huku Hulk akiwasili tu. Nilijiunga nao na kutafakari kama ningeimba au la. Mara moja mchezaji mashuhuri wa ligi kuu Roger Clemens na mwanawe Kody walitumbuiza na wimbo wa heshima wa Toby Keith., Niliamua kuweka jina langu. Wakati huu waliniruhusu niimbe wimbo wangu wa kwenda na niliweza kupiga selfie na Hulk nikiwa katikati ya wimbo wangu wa kusisimua au wimbo wa asili wa Sir Mix-a-Lot.

Wakati usiku ulikuwa ukiisha, Nilipata muda wa kuzungumza na mtoto wake, Nick. Nilionyesha picha kutoka kwa Rocky Run ya mwaka uliopita, where I had completed a 5K on a sprained ankle in a full Thunderlips costume, including a costume muscle suit, fedora, cape, compression socks gimmicked to look like wrestling boots with tassels, and carrying a championship belt. Nick took my phone and showed it to his father who looked at me and said “You ran in that?  Nice job, Brother!” That was the last night that I saw Hulk Hogan in person.

They always say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I’ve been imitating Hulk Hogan for over 40 Miaka sasa, whether it was cupping my hand to my ear and posing while on camera at a Phillies game, dressing as Hulk for our work Halloween party and bringing and extra shirt just so I could imitate his tearing the shirt off during my parade entrance, doing the Rocky Run dressed as Thunderlips while captaining a team named “The Ultimate Meatballs”, or doing a Hulk Hogan promo while selling Christmas trees.

I built a tradition every year with my nephews buying them Hulk Hogan shirts. I bought Dominic his first shirt, the classic yellow, when he was just a year old in 2018. When my nephew Matteo was born three months early, I was in Clearwater. I went to the shop the next day and bought him a Hulkamania infant jumper. When he was finally able to come home after months in the NICU, his parents dressed him in that leaving the hospital. He had made his first Hulk Hogan superman comeback in life. This year, I bought our matching shirts again and the young lady running the register remembered me and my tradition with the boys. She gifted them both costume mustaches. When I gave them their shirts and mustaches, they were so excited to take their pictures. Matteo even fell asleep in the car wearing his shirt and mustache. I felt like the coolest uncle in the world. Because of Hulk Hogan, I was able to give these two little boys a tradition that they could look forward to.

Last Thursday, the news of Hulk Hogan’s sudden passing sent a shock through the wrestling and entertainment communities. There had been rumors of serious health struggles following cervical fusion surgery. Some reports had him on his deathbed and others said he could no longer speak. A report from Jimmy Hart came out on Thursday morning that the reports were exaggerated, and Hulk was recovering, slower than expected, but still recovering. A few hours later, the news broke that he was gone after suffering cardiac arrest at his residence.

I had just finished a meeting at work when I saw a direct message from a friend saying “Hulk died!” with the TMZ link. Before I could even click the link, I had another message, then a text, as everything moved in a blur. This was Hulk Hogan. Surely, he would kick out one more time at the count of two, power up and stare the Grim Reaper down. Sadly, it was true, and our beloved Hulk Hogan was gone. I arrived at the gym after work that evening and finished my last round on the heavybag with Hogan’s signature tune “Real American” cranked up through my headphones. About to leave, I saw a friend and mutual wrestling fan. We shared our disbelief, and he uttered some disgust at people on social media celebrating his death. As we were talking, the reality started hitting both of us and we stood there as two grown adults, one a weightlifter and one a boxer, both holding back tears.

To truly memorialize Hulk Hogan, you also must remember that he was a real human being. Terry Bollea had faults and made mistakes. He had been accused of playing politics backstage and holding back other wrestlers. There was a rant at his home that captured a racial slur that he may have said in anger. What recently hurt his popularity with many people was the backing of a polarizing political candidate. Many people who had been fans never forgave him for the racial slur and others turned on him for his political affiliation.

For me to remember Hulk Hogan, the wrestler, and Terry Bollea, the man, I accept the fact that we are all human, and we all have faults. Many who work in any business can be accused of using clout and gossip to further their own careers while holding back colleagues. In what has been the supposed sanctity of our own home, many of us have said things that could be considered racist, sexist, or homophobic. Many times, those words are said in anger and not a true reflection of one’s true feelings. With regards to political candidates, it is a very slippery slope in this divided culture. But, part of the freedoms we enjoy is the right to vote as we desire and back any political candidate we choose. To blindly hate a person, especially a person you have never met, solely for political reasons, shows a narrow-minded view of the world. You can disagree with their stance, but you can still enjoy their form of entertainment.

I will remember Terry Bollea had faults. He was a human like the rest of us. But I will also remember the good he brought into the world. He revolutionized the wrestling industry just like Babe Ruth did for baseball. Without Hulk Hogan, the wrestling boom of the 80s would never have occurred. Vince McMahon’s vision of a global federation would have likely faltered. Without Hulk Hogan, there would be no Wrestlemania, no Monday Night Wars, no Rock, no Stone Cold, no John Cena, etc. Aside from building that foundation, I will also remember the good he brought into the world. He visited sick children up until his final weeks. He inspired kids to work out, to train, say their prayers, and take their vitamins. Most importantly, he made you feel good about yourself. He made you believe in something bigger than life. He really was the “Babe Ruth of Wrestling.” There was baseball before Babe Ruth and baseball has flourished in the decades after his passing. Players are faster, nguvu, and better conditioned. But there still is only one Babe Ruth. Just like in wrestling. There was wrestling before Hulk Hogan and today’s wrestlers are more acrobatic and more athletic. But there still is and will always be only one Hulk Hogan.

After Hulk’s passing last week, one of the things that hit me the hardest was the thought that some of the traditions I had built the last few years would no longer continue. It took me a few days, but I decided that I will continue to don the Thunderlips attire for the Rocky Run, similar to my friend Mark who continues to honor the late Burt Young and his Paulie character during his participation. I still plan to do Hulk Hogan imitations while at the tree lot while trying to entertain our customers. Most importantly, I want to keep my annual tradition with Dominic and Matteo. Indications are that his shop in Clearwater Beach will remain open and, for as long as it is, I will continue that special tradition of buying us matching shirts and taking photos of us posing.

Terry Bollea may be gone. I believe in God and the afterlife. I believe that Terry has been forgiven, and he now resides in paradise. While Terry Bollea may be gone, the legend of Hulk Hogan will live now and forever. Heroes get remembered but legends never die. And Hulkamania will live forever.

Hulk Hogan, I would like to thank you. Thank you for bringing joy to my childhood. Thank you for giving me the strength to break out of my shell and make friends in my new school. Thank you for making me believe in the power of training, prayers, and vitamins. Thank you for making me believe that a mortal man can really be a superhero. Thank you for showing me that it can be cool to be bad. Thank you for giving me something to share with my nephews. Thank you for your kindness when I finally got to meet you. And most of all, thank you for bringing Hulkamania into my life. Rest in Peace!