Hulk Hogan was more than a wrestler, to '90s kids he was our first superhero

For kids growing up in the early 1990s, Hulk Hogan was more than just a wrestler, he was a superhero. At a time when American TV was still new and rare for many households around the world, the arrival of satellite TV changed everything. With it came a wave of colourful shows from across the Atlantic; Nickelodeon gave us Clarissa Explains It All and Keenan and Kel, MTV opened our eyes and ears to Nirvana but nothing quite hit like the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Or WWE as it is now known.

American wrestling was loud, dramatic, and full of characters we’d never seen before. Hulk Hogan, with his ripped yellow vest, red bandana, handlebar moustache and booming entrance music, felt like a living cartoon. His catchphrases “Whatcha gonna do, brother?” were shouted across schoolyards. His entrance, complete with “Real American” playing and a slow, crowd-hyping walk to the ring, was legendary.

He was joined by other unforgettable faces; The Ultimate Warrior, The Bushwhackers, The Legion of Doom, and of course, our very own Davey Boy Smith - The British Bulldog. Together, they created a world of action, drama and fun that helped shape a whole generation’s imagination. Our parents were terrified of the damage we would do to our siblings through our recreation of iconic moves like the running leg drop onto the heads of unsuspecting little brothers.

“It's acting, they're not really hurting one another” they would yell to be heard over the tears of a child that had just been suplexed. For many of us, Hogan was the first true star we saw from America. Wrestling became more than sport, the older we got and the more parents' words were repeated meant that we appreciated it more as theatre, a new kind of storytelling beamed into living rooms far from its US home.

The news of Hulk Hogan’s passing hits hard. For those of us who grew up with him, it feels like losing a piece of our childhood. These icons, once larger than life, slowly disappearing, remind us of time passing and how quickly innocence fades. Rest in power, Hulk. Hulkamania will live on forever.

Nicola Craddock is a digital marketing expert and freelance writer based in the UK.