Dr Abubakar Alkali 


The legendary American professional wrestler Terry Gene Bollea popularly known as Hulk Hogan passed on today in Florida USA from cardiac arrest at the age of 71. Hulk, the most popular professional wrestler in the 80s and 6 times world champion of the performance art Wrestlemania from the world wrestling entertainment (WWE) was an epitome of humility and a global superstar in his chosen profession. 


Albeit WWE Wrestlemania is not completely real and results of matches are predetermined, it must be stated that Hulk and his compatriots in the WWE have made invaluable and positive contributions to the world of entertainment. The athleticism and skills of legend Hulkamania are incredible and will be remembered for a very long time. 


Hulkamania, as he is fondly referred to in Wrestlemania during the hey days of the World wrestling entertainment (WWE) and world championship wrestling in the 80s was a near household name in Nigeria. 


Hulk was unarguably the most popular wrestler on our TV screens in the 80s. After a back and forth retirements from professional wrestling, he eventually retired in 2012. 

As a child, i recall vividly flocking around TV screens with my mates to watch Hulk destroy his opponents with relative ease including but not limited to Randy Savage, Vince McMahon, and Roddy Pipper. 


With those memories, it was a dream come true when during one of my trips to the U.S in February 2014, i met the legend at the Tampa international airport, in Florida U.S. 

I couldn’t afford to miss the 

opportunity to meet my wrestling hero. So I moved closer. 

I met a man who came up more humble than what i envisaged. 


Indeed, Hulk was humble outside the ring just as he was brutally modest within it. 

I etched closer to speak to him: 

‘Hey Hulk’ I said to him 

Hi, he replied and we shook hands.

‘You have a huge fan base in Nigeria’ i tried to catch his attention. 

‘Africa? He wanted to be sure 

‘Yes’ I replied. 

‘Thanks man’ he said to me. 


Then the photoshoot (Shown in the picture above). 


It was all good when i and Hulk boarded the same flight from Tampa Florida to Philadelphia. 

At the airport in Philadelphia, a crowd flocked around the superstar, obviously not ready to miss the photo opportunity. Having had my memorable picture, I moved on for my flight to Connecticut, relishing the feeling that I met my wrestling idol.


My meeting with Hulk was 11 years ago but feels like last year. A dream come true for me and one which I will relish probably forever.


Apart from his unequalled humility in the ring, Hulk ran a near immortality as a wrestler. Hulk remain undefeated throughout 1984, 1985, 1986, and 1987. 

This is remarkable!


And when Hulk makes the gesture with his palm on his ear ‘I can’t hear you’ it means the shots won’t hurt him anymore. 


Just keep hitting, it won’t get you nowhere with Hulk. 


Despite his exploits and near ring-immortality, Hulk has equally tasted defeats in his career which included clean losses to Andre the Giant, the Rock and The Ultimate Warrior who broke Hulk’s unbeaten run in 1990 in a winner takes all match at Wrestlemania 6. 


Remember the black eye Hulk had in Wrestlemania 9 thought to be a punch from Randy Savage but which Hulk claimed was from a jet ski accident. 


Hulk’s daughter Brooke Hogan must be distraught at the loss of her dad albeit she stayed away from his fame. Hulk also had a very costly divorce from Linda Hogan during which he lost 70% of his wealth after 24 years of marriage. He will also be remembered for his endorsement of his long term friend, President Donald Trump at the RNC in Milwaukee in July 2024, probably his last high profile public engagement.  


Lovers of wrestling in particular and the world of entertainment in general will remember Hulk the legend for a very long time just as upcoming stars in the WWE and the world wrestling championships will definitely struggle to fill the vacuum left by him.