Hogan! Hogan! The Mustachioed hero who ruled our TV screens

He looked like a comic book character that had somehow burst out of the page and onto the TV screen. 

Shirtless, sweaty, and always larger than life, Hogan was everywhere — on cereal boxes, lunchboxes, action figures, even Saturday morning cartoons. 

You couldn’t escape him in the ’80s and early ’90s. 

And honestly? You didn’t want to.

"It's like my growing up years won't be complete without Hulk Hogan, the rest of the gang like The Undertaker, Ray Mysterio and Jake 'The Snake' Roberts," said my cousin Mike, 39.

Back then, Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler — he was the wrestler. 

With his red-and-yellow gear, rip-away tank tops, and a theme song that blared, “I am a real American,” he stood tall as a symbol of strength, justice, and pure adrenaline. 

Youngsters like would gather around the TV screen, a “boob tube” back then, whenever he appeared on WWF Superstars, chanting “Hogan! Hogan!” as if our cheers gave him power. 

And somehow, it always felt like they did. 

No matter how badly he was getting beat up, no matter how hopeless the match seemed, there would come a moment when he’d start to shake — his “Hulking up” phase — and then boom, leg drop! One… two…three Victory!

What made Hogan so unforgettable wasn’t just the matches — it was the aura. 

He didn’t just defeat villains; he defeated evil. He battled giants like Andre, maniacs like Randy Savage, and monsters like “The Undertaker” (another unforgettable character, in my book).

Such was the influence of American TV – and culture – in our remote islands. To the youngster in me, it all felt mythic. 

Hogan wasn’t just slamming wrestlers — he was slamming fear, doubt, and every schoolyard bully you ever faced.

And through it all, he’d preach his three commandments: Train, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins. 

You better believe we took those seriously (or at least I tried to).

There was something reassuring about Hogan's predictability. You knew he’d win. 

You knew he’d say “Whatcha gonna do, brother, when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”

And yet, it never got old. He was comfort food in a chaotic world — a constant in the ever-changing universe of wrestling. 

And then came the twist: When Hogan turned heel in 1996 and joined the nWo, it felt like the Earth had tilted off its axis. 

My childhood hero, now a villain in black and white, sneering at the crowd? 

It was heartbreaking. But even then, he made you feel something. That’s the Hogan magic. 

Today, when I see clips of Hulk Hogan or catch that familiar theme music, I’m instantly transported to a simpler time — sitting cross-legged on the living room carpet, eyes glued to the tube, believing that good guys always win, as long as they have the heart, the muscle – and the Hulkamania spirit.

Hogan may have been a real American hero, a controversial figure, and an entertainment icon all rolled into one. 

But to me, he’ll always be that larger-than-life legend who made those rumbles feel like the main event.

Hulk Hogan also made a significant mark in movies, often bringing his larger-than-life persona to comedic and action-packed roles. The most notable films he appeared in throughout his career.

Hulk Hogan’s movie stardom wasn’t about Oscar glory. It was about fun. 

It’s like watching him in the ring: predictably awesome, totally entertaining, and pure comfort food for anyone who ever flexed in front of a mirror (or tried a leg drop onto a comfy bed with a younger bro).

So, whatcha gonna do, brotha, now that Hogan is no more. And Hulkamania no longer runs wild?

News of his passing unleashed a wave of heartfelt tributes. Retired wrestling legend Ric Flair took to X, sharing a simple yet powerful message: "Rest In Peace My Friend!"

I guess that's life: We shall all have our turn to sail into the sunset. 

Still, all the Hulkamania energy lives in the heart of many (grownup) kids, with enough catchphrases to last a lifetime.