History of Hulk Hogan in Timeline
Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, is a highly renowned and retired American professional wrestler. Known for his charismatic personality, large build, blond horseshoe mustache, and bandanas, Hogan achieved immense global fame, particularly during the 1980s wrestling boom. He is considered wrestling's most recognizable star and one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Currently, he serves as a brand ambassador for WWE.
December 6, 1913: Birth of Pietro Bollea
On December 6, 1913, Pietro "Peter" Bollea, Hulk Hogan's father, was born.
1922: Birth of Ruth V. Moody
In 1922, Ruth V. (née Moody), Hulk Hogan's mother, was born.
1947: Birth of Allan Bollea
In 1947, Allan Bollea, Hulk Hogan's older brother, was born.
August 11, 1953: Hulk Hogan Born
On August 11, 1953, Terry Gene Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, was born in Augusta, Georgia.
1976: Forms Ruckus Band
In 1976, Hulk Hogan and two local musicians formed a band called Ruckus, which gained popularity in the Tampa Bay region.
1976: Began Anabolic Steroid Use
In 1976, Hulk Hogan began using anabolic steroids to gain size and weight.
1976: Asked to Try Wrestling
In 1976, the Brisco brothers, impressed by Hulk Hogan's physical stature, asked him to try wrestling.
August 10, 1977: Professional Wrestling Debut
On August 10, 1977, Hulk Hogan made his professional wrestling debut against Brian Blair in Fort Myers, Florida, for CWF.
1977: Professional Wrestling Debut
In 1977, Hulk Hogan started his professional wrestling career.
1978: Joins Alabama Territory
In 1978, Hulk Hogan called Superstar Billy Graham and joined Louie Tillet's Alabama territory.
December 1, 1979: Wins NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship
On December 1, 1979, Hulk Hogan won his first professional wrestling championship, the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division), by defeating Bob Roop in Knoxville, Tennessee.
December 1979: Briefly Wrestles in GCW
From September through December 1979, Hulk Hogan briefly wrestled in the Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) territory as Sterling Golden.
December 17, 1979: Madison Square Garden Debut
On December 17, 1979, Hulk Hogan made his first appearance at Madison Square Garden, defeating Ted DiBiase.
January 1980: Loses NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship
In January 1980, Hulk Hogan lost the NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship to Bob Armstrong.
May 13, 1980: NJPW Debut
On May 13, 1980, Hulk Hogan first appeared in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) while still with the WWF.
August 1980: Feud with Andre the Giant Culminates
In August 1980, Hulk Hogan's first big feud with André the Giant culminated in a match at Shea Stadium.
March 26, 1981: Unsuccessful Intercontinental Championship Challenge
On March 26, 1981, Hulk Hogan unsuccessfully challenged Pedro Morales for the Intercontinental Championship.
July 1981: Turns Face in AWA
At the end of July 1981, Hulk Hogan turned into a fan favorite in the AWA after saving Brad Rheingans from Jerry Blackwell.
August 1981: AWA Debut
In August 1981, Hulk Hogan made his debut in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), owned by Verne Gagne, initially as a villain.
1981: Babyface Turn
Hulk Hogan's late 1981 babyface turn, where he transitioned to a fan favorite.
April 1982: Wins and Loses AWA World Heavyweight Championship
In April 1982, Hulk Hogan defeated Nick Bockwinkel and was declared the new AWA World Heavyweight Champion, but the decision was overturned due to the use of a foreign object.
1982: MSG Tag League Tournament Win
In 1982, Hulk Hogan and Antonio Inoki won the MSG (Madison Square Garden) Tag League tournament in Japan.
1982: Acting Debut in Rocky III
In 1982, Hulk Hogan began his extensive acting career with a role in Rocky III.
1982: Role as Thunderlips in Rocky III
In 1982, Hulk Hogan played the part of Thunderlips in Rocky III.
1982: Vincent K. McMahon Purchases Company
In 1982, Vincent K. McMahon bought the company from his father, starting plans to expand it into a nationwide promotion.
June 2, 1983: Wins IWGP Heavyweight Championship
On June 2, 1983, Hulk Hogan became the first International Wrestling Grand Prix (IWGP) tournament winner and the first holder of an early version of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, defeating Antonio Inoki.
November 1983: Hogan Leaves AWA
In November 1983, Hulk Hogan departed from the American Wrestling Association (AWA), marking the end of his run with the promotion.
December 1983: Signs With WWF
In December 1983, Hulk Hogan signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), gaining worldwide recognition.
December 18, 1983: Marriage to Linda Claridge
On December 18, 1983, Hulk Hogan married Linda Claridge, marking the beginning of a long-term relationship that would later become a central part of his public persona.
December 27, 1983: Hogan Returns to WWF, Defeats Bill Dixon
On December 27, 1983, Hulk Hogan made his return to the WWF at a television taping in St. Louis, Missouri, where he defeated Bill Dixon.
1983: Second MSG Tag League Tournament Win
In 1983, Hulk Hogan and Antonio Inoki won the MSG (Madison Square Garden) Tag League tournament in Japan for the second year in a row.
1983: Super Sunday Headliner
In 1983, Hulk Hogan headlined the inaugural AWA closed circuit supercard, Super Sunday.
January 7, 1984: Hogan Saves Bob Backlund, Solidifying Face Turn
On January 7, 1984, during an episode of Championship Wrestling, Hulk Hogan cemented his status as a fan favorite by saving Bob Backlund from an assault by The Wild Samoans.
1984: Agreement Between Titan Sports, Marvel Comics and Hogan
In 1984, An agreement was made between Titan Sports, Marvel Comics, and Hulk Hogan regarding similarities between Hogan's character and The Incredible Hulk. Marvel obtained trademarks for "Hulk Hogan", "Hulkster", and "Hulkamania" for 20 years.
1984: Defends IWGP Title Against Inoki
In 1984, Hulk Hogan wrestled Antonio Inoki to defend the early version of the IWGP title, losing by countout due to interference from Riki Choshu.
March 27, 1985: Richard Belzer Incident
On March 27, 1985, Richard Belzer requested that Hogan demonstrate wrestling moves on his talk show. Hogan put Belzer in a modified Guillotine choke, which caused Belzer to pass out and hit his head, leading to a lawsuit.
March 30, 1985: Hogan Co-Hosts Saturday Night Live
On March 30, 1985, Hulk Hogan co-hosted Saturday Night Live.
March 31, 1985: Hogan and Mr. T Win at WrestleMania I
On March 31, 1985, at the first WrestleMania, Hulk Hogan teamed with Mr. T to defeat Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.
1985: First A-Team Appearance
In 1985, Hulk Hogan made his first appearance on The A-Team, alongside Roddy Piper, marking an early foray into television roles.
1986: Death of Allan Bollea
In 1986, Allan Bollea, Hulk Hogan's older brother, died at the age of 38 from a drug overdose.
1986: Second A-Team Appearance
In 1986, Hulk Hogan made a second appearance on The A-Team, alongside Roddy Piper, solidifying his presence in popular television.
1986: Hogan Wrestles as Hulk Machine
In the fall of 1986, Hulk Hogan occasionally wrestled in tag team matches with The Machines as Hulk Machine, wearing a mask.
1986: Successful Title Defenses
Throughout 1986, Hulk Hogan had successful title defenses against challengers such as Terry Funk, Don Muraco, King Kong Bundy, Paul Orndorff, and Hercules Hernandez.
1987: Hogan Defeats Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III
In 1987 at WrestleMania III, Hulk Hogan defended the title against Andre the Giant and body slammed him, winning the match.
February 5, 1988: Match Against Andre the Giant
On February 5, 1988, Hulk Hogan's match against André the Giant on WWF The Main Event achieved a 15.2 Nielsen rating and 33 million viewers, setting an American television viewership record for wrestling.
May 5, 1988: Birth of Daughter Brooke
On May 5, 1988, Hulk Hogan's daughter Brooke was born, expanding his family and influencing his later career ventures.
1988: Marvel Comics Presents #45
In 1988, in Marvel Comics Presents #45, a wrestler resembling Hogan was tossed through an arena roof by The Incredible Hulk.
March 7, 1989: Hulk Hogan vs Big Boss Man
On March 7, 1989, Hulk Hogan faced Big Boss Man at the El Paso Civic Center for a WWF Superstars of Wrestling event.
1989: Appearance in No Holds Barred
In 1989, Hulk Hogan appeared in the movie No Holds Barred.
1989: Hogan's Second Run
In 1989, Hulk Hogan's second run began, during which he defended the title in matches against Savage and The Big Boss Man. He also starred in the movie No Holds Barred and feuded with Tom Lister, Jr. (Zeus).
1989: Mega Powers Implode
In 1989, the Mega Powers began to break up due to Savage's jealousy and suspicions of Hogan and Elizabeth. The duo officially broke up during a match against The Twin Towers on The Main Event II.
April 1, 1990: Hogan Loses Title to The Ultimate Warrior
On April 1, 1990, at WrestleMania VI, Hulk Hogan lost the WWF Championship to Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior in a title versus title match.
May 1990: Feud with Earthquake
In May 1990, Hulk Hogan began a heated feud with the 468-pound Earthquake, who crushed Hogan's ribs in a sneak attack on The Brother Love Show.
July 27, 1990: Birth of Son Nick
On July 27, 1990, Hulk Hogan's son Nick was born, completing his immediate family and setting the stage for future family-centered projects.
1990: Royal Rumble Win
In 1990, Hulk Hogan won his first Royal Rumble match.
1990: Fourth Demandment Added
In 1990, during his feud with Earthquake, Hulk Hogan added a fourth demandment (believing in oneself) to his Hulkamania mantra.
1991: 900 Number Information Line
From 1991 to 1993, Hulk Hogan's 900 number information line was reported to be the single biggest 900 number.
1991: False Claim about The Undertaker Injury
In 1991, Hulk Hogan falsely claimed that The Undertaker injured his neck at the Survivor Series, adding to the list of fabricated elements of his past.
1991: Starring in Suburban Commando
In 1991, Hulk Hogan starred in the family film Suburban Commando.
1991: Consecutive Royal Rumble Win
In 1991, Hulk Hogan won his second Royal Rumble match, making him the first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches.
1991: Royal Rumble and WWF Championship
In 1991, Hulk Hogan won the Royal Rumble, making him the first wrestler to win two Royal Rumble matches in a row. At WrestleMania VII, Hogan defeated Sgt. Slaughter for his third WWF Championship.
1992: Commercials for Right Guard Deodorant
In 1992, Hulk Hogan appeared in commercials for Right Guard deodorant.
1992: Royal Rumble and Feud with Sid Justice
In 1992, Hulk Hogan entered the Royal Rumble but was eliminated by Sid Justice, leading to a feud between them. At WrestleMania VIII, Hogan defeated Sid via disqualification.
1992: False Claim about Make-A-Wish Inspiration
In 1992, Hulk Hogan falsely claimed that an experience with a terminally ill child through the Make-A-Wish Foundation at SummerSlam inspired his Hulk Rules album, despite not attending the event.
February 1993: Return to WWF and Formation of The Mega-Maniacs
In February 1993, Hulk Hogan returned to the WWF, assisting Brutus Beefcake and forming The Mega-Maniacs with Jimmy Hart as their manager.
May 3, 1993: Return to NJPW and Victory Over The Great Muta
On May 3, 1993, Hulk Hogan returned to NJPW as WWF Champion and defeated IWGP Heavyweight Champion The Great Muta at Wrestling Dontaku.
August 1993: Departure from WWF
In August 1993, Hulk Hogan completed his feud with Yokozuna on the international house show circuit and then sat out the remainder of his WWF contract, which later expired that year. This marked Hogan's last WWF appearance until 2002.
September 26, 1993: Match against Keiji Mutoh
On September 26, 1993, Hulk Hogan wrestled against Muta again, this time under his real name, Keiji Mutoh.
1993: 900 Number Information Line
From 1991 to 1993, Hulk Hogan's 900 number information line was reported to be the single biggest 900 number.
1993: Leaves WWF for Film and Television
In 1993, Hulk Hogan left the WWF to pursue a career in film and television.
1993: Starring in Mr. Nanny
In 1993, Hulk Hogan starred in the family film Mr. Nanny.
January 4, 1994: Final Match in Japan
On January 4, 1994, at Battlefield, Hulk Hogan's last match in Japan was against Tatsumi Fujinami, whom he defeated.
March 1994: Appearances on WCW Television
Starting in March 1994, Hulk Hogan began making appearances on WCW television, with Gene Okerlund visiting him on the set of Thunder in Paradise episodes.
May 28, 1994: Contract Termination and Return to Wrestling
On May 28, 1994, Hulk Hogan tore up his Thunder in Paradise contract on WCW Saturday Night and announced his return to wrestling.
June 11, 1994: Signing with WCW
On June 11, 1994, Hulk Hogan officially signed with Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
December 1994: Victory at Starrcade
In December 1994, Hulk Hogan defeated The Butcher for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Starrcade.
1994: Signs With WCW
In 1994, Hulk Hogan signed with World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He also won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship
1994: Starring in Thunder in Paradise
In 1994, Hulk Hogan starred in his own television series, Thunder in Paradise.
1994: Testimony in Vince McMahon's Trial
In 1994, Hulk Hogan testified in the trial of Vince McMahon relating to shipments of steroids. Hogan admitted to using anabolic steroids since 1976 but stated McMahon did not provide them.
September 1995: Title Defenses on Nitro
In September 1995, Hulk Hogan successfully retained the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Big Bubba Rogers and Lex Luger in two separate matches on Nitro.
October 9, 1995: First Appearance in All-Black Attire
On October 9, 1995, Hulk Hogan made his first appearance in an all-black attire on Nitro.
1995: Appearing on TBN's Kids Against Crime
In 1995, Hulk Hogan appeared on TBN's Kids Against Crime, expanding his reach to a younger audience through television appearances.
1995: Opening of Pastamania Restaurant
In 1995, Hulk Hogan created and financed a restaurant called Pastamania, located in the Mall of America, featuring dishes like "Hulk-U's" and "Hulk-A-Roos".
1995: Release of Hulk Rules Album
In 1995, Hulk Hogan released a music CD, Hulk Rules, as Hulk Hogan and the Wrestling Boot Band, which included Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart, his then-wife Linda and J.J Maguire. Despite negative reviews, Hulk Rules reached No. 12 on the Billboard Top Kid Audio chart.
1995: Hulk Rules Album Release
In 1995, Hulk Hogan's album "Hulk Rules", by The Wrestling Boot Band, reached No. 12 on the Billboard Top Kid Audio chart.
1996: Forms the New World Order (nWo)
In 1996, Hulk Hogan adopted the villainous persona of "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan and formed the popular New World Order (nWo) stable.
1996: Starring in Santa with Muscles
In 1996, Hulk Hogan starred in the family film Santa with Muscles.
1996: Merger Between Turner Broadcasting System and Time Warner
In 1996, Turner Broadcasting System, the parent company of WCW, merged with Time Warner, making them sister companies with Marvel rival DC Comics. Hogan was using the name "Hollywood Hogan" at the time.
1996: Reformation of The Mega Powers and Alliance to End Hulkamania
In early 1996, Hulk Hogan reformed The Mega Powers with Randy Savage to feud with The Alliance to End Hulkamania, culminating in a Doomsday Cage match at Uncensored, which Hogan and Savage won.
July 13, 1997: Tag Team Match at Bash at the Beach
On July 13, 1997, Hulk Hogan and Dennis Rodman competed in a tag team match against Lex Luger and The Giant at Bash at the Beach.
1997: Starrcade Headliner
In 1997, Hulk Hogan headlined Starrcade, which became the most profitable WCW pay-per-view in the company's history.
1997: Starring in Assault on Devil's Island
In 1997, Hulk Hogan starred in the TNT original movie Assault on Devil's Island, playing the leader of a commando unit alongside Carl Weathers and Shannon Tweed. Eric Bischoff served as an executive producer for the film. The characters were considered for a regular series.
February 22, 1998: Championship Match at SuperBrawl VIII
On February 22, 1998, Sting defeated Hulk Hogan at SuperBrawl VIII to win the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Championship.
1998: Starring in 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain
In 1998, Hulk Hogan starred in the family film 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain and also in The Ultimate Weapon.
1998: Celebrity Matches
Throughout 1998, Hulk Hogan engaged in celebrity wrestling matches, including teaming with Dennis Rodman and Eric Bischoff in matches against Diamond Dallas Page, Karl Malone and Jay Leno.
January 4, 1999: WCW World Heavyweight Championship Win
On January 4, 1999, Hulk Hogan returned to WCW and defeated Kevin Nash to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship for the fifth time.
August 9, 1999: Return to Red and Yellow and Retirement Match
On August 9, 1999, Hulk Hogan started the night in black and white but switched to the traditional red and yellow for his six-man tag team match. He then defeated Kevin Nash in a retirement match at Road Wild to retain the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.
October 1999: Absence from Television
From October 1999, Hulk Hogan was absent from television due to injuries and frustrations. Vince Russo, the new head of creative booking, asked him to take time off.
1999: Appearance on Suddenly Susan
In 1999, Hulk Hogan appeared on Suddenly Susan, adding to his list of television guest appearances.
February 2000: Continued Absence from Television
Hulk Hogan remained absent from television in February 2000, following his break that began in October 1999.
February 2000: Hogan's Return and Dispute with Vince Russo
In February 2000, Hulk Hogan returned to WCW and soon after, was involved in a dispute with Vince Russo at Bash at the Beach on July 9, regarding the WCW World Heavyweight Championship match against Jeff Jarrett. Hogan disagreed with Russo's plan for Jarrett to win and lose to Booker T, leading to a controversial match where Jarrett laid down for Hogan to pin, simulating a real conflict. This event exposed Hogan's "creative control" clause and led to a new title being created.
March 2001: WCW Demise and Knee Surgery
In March 2001, following the demise of WCW, Hulk Hogan underwent knee surgery to prepare for a wrestling return.
December 18, 2001: Death of Pietro Bollea
On December 18, 2001, Pietro "Peter" Bollea, Hulk Hogan's father, died.
2001: Guest Starred on Walker, Texas Ranger
In 2001, Hulk Hogan guest-starred on an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger, further showcasing his presence in the acting world.
February 2002: Hogan Returns to WWF
In February 2002, Hulk Hogan returned to the WWF after working a test match in Orlando, Florida for the Xcitement Wrestling Federation (XWF), accepting an offer to come back to the company.
February 17, 2002: Hogan Returns to WWF as a Heel
On February 17, 2002, at No Way Out, Hulk Hogan made his return to the WWF as a heel, leading the original nWo with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. They confronted The Rock and cost Stone Cold Steve Austin his chance at the Undisputed WWF Championship.
April 4, 2002: Feud with Triple H Begins
On the April 4, 2002, episode of SmackDown!, Hulk Hogan started a feud with Triple H.
May 2002: WWF Renamed to WWE
In May 2002, due to a legal battle with the World Wildlife Fund, the World Wrestling Federation was compelled to change its name to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
2002: Return to WWF
Hulk Hogan's last WWF pay-per-view appearance until 2002.
2002: Defamation Lawsuit Against Russo Dismissed
In 2002, the defamation of character lawsuit filed by Hogan against Vince Russo following their Bash at the Beach incident, was dismissed. The incident's true nature remained disputed, with claims of it being a "work" or a "shoot".
October 2003: Return to NJPW
In October 2003, Hulk Hogan returned to NJPW and defeated Masahiro Chono at Ultimate Crush II in the Tokyo Dome.
October 2003: TNA Overtures and Jeff Jarrett Attack
In October 2003, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) showed interest in Hogan, leading to Jeff Jarrett attacking Hogan in Japan. This was intended to set up a match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but Hogan did not appear in TNA due to health issues.
2003: Hiatus and Mr. America Character
In early 2003, after an assault by Lesnar, Hulk Hogan went on hiatus and upon his return, shaved his black beard and dropped "Hollywood" from his name. After WrestleMania XIX, he portrayed the masked character Mr. America, who denied being Hogan but used his signature moves and phrases.
April 2, 2005: WWE Hall of Fame Induction
On April 2, 2005, Hulk Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2005 by Sylvester Stallone.
July 10, 2005: Premiere of Hogan Knows Best
On July 10, 2005, VH1 premiered Hogan Knows Best, a reality show centered around Hulk Hogan, his wife Linda, and their children Brooke and Nick, offering a glimpse into their personal lives.
2005: WWE Hall of Fame Induction
In 2005, Hulk Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
April 2006: Hall of Fame Induction and Feud with Randy Orton
In April 2006, Hulk Hogan inducted "Mean" Gene Okerlund into the WWE Hall of Fame. He then feuded with Randy Orton, leading to a match at SummerSlam which Hogan won.
October 20, 2006: Settlement Claim on Bubba the Love Sponge Show
On the October 20, 2006 broadcasting of the Bubba the Love Sponge Show, it was claimed (with Hogan in the studio) that the settlement with Richard Belzer totaled $5 million, half from Hogan and half from Vince McMahon, related to the 1985 incident.
2006: Brooke Hogan's album collaboration with Christiane Plante
In 2006, Christiane Plante worked with Brooke Hogan on her album, a year before Plante alleged an affair with Hulk Hogan.
2006: Hogan Energy Drink and Hulkster Burgers
In 2006, Hulk Hogan unveiled Hogan Energy, a drink distributed by Socko Energy, and his name was applied to a line of microwavable "Hulkster Burgers".
January 2007: Best Man at Bubba the Love Sponge's Wedding
In January 2007, Hulk Hogan served as the best man at Bubba the Love Sponge's wedding, showing a close personal relationship between the two.
April 27, 2007: Hogan Defeats Paul Wight in Memphis Wrestling
On April 27, 2007, Hulk Hogan defeated Paul Wight at Memphis Wrestling's PMG Clash of Legends.
October 2007: Transfer of Trademarks to Hogan Holdings Limited
In October 2007, Hulk Hogan transferred all trademarks referring to himself, including Hulk Hogan, "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan, and Hulkamania.com, to his liability company, Hogan Holdings Limited.
November 20, 2007: Linda Files for Divorce
On November 20, 2007, Linda filed for divorce from Hulk Hogan in Pinellas County, Florida, marking the end of their long-term marriage.
December 2007: Last in-ring Appearance in WWE until 2014
Hulk Hogan's last WWE in-ring appearance until 2014 took place in December 2007.
2007: Alleged Affair with Christiane Plante
In 2007, Christiane Plante claimed that Hulk Hogan had an affair with her while the Hogan family was filming Hogan Knows Best, leading to personal controversy.
2007: Spoke about his faith
In 2007, Hulk Hogan spoke about his faith, mentioning that he accepted Christ as his savior when he was 14 and leaned on his religion.
2007: Hogan Recorded Making Racist Remarks
In 2007, Hulk Hogan was secretly recorded making racist remarks on a leaked sex tape, which was later publicized in July 2015, leading to significant controversy.
April 2008: Licensing of "Hulkamania Wrestling" Mobile Game
In April 2008, Hulk Hogan announced that he would license his likeness to Gameloft for the creation of "Hulkamania Wrestling" for mobile phones.
June 23, 2008: Belzer's Settlement Amount Disclosure
During his June 23, 2008, appearance on Sirius Satellite Radio's The Howard Stern Show, Richard Belzer suggested that the real settlement amount with Hogan from the 1985 incident was actually closer to $400,000.
July 2008: Premiere of Brooke Knows Best
In July 2008, the spin-off entitled Brooke Knows Best premiered, which focused primarily on Hogan's daughter Brooke.
September 2008: Net Worth Revealed
In September 2008, Hulk Hogan's net worth was revealed to be around $30 million.
November 2008: Linda Claims Decision to End Marriage
In November 2008, Linda publicly claimed that she made the decision to end her marriage after finding out about Hulk Hogan's affair, further detailing the reasons behind their divorce.
2008: "The Hulk Hogan Ultimate Grill" Voluntarily Recalled
In 2008, "The Hulk Hogan Ultimate Grill", a product endorsed by Hulk Hogan, was voluntarily recalled as a fire hazard.
2008: Hosting American Gladiators
In 2008, Hulk Hogan hosted the comeback series of American Gladiators on NBC, adding to his roles in television entertainment. He also hosted Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling in 2008.
2008: Reported Racist Language in Call to Son
In 2008, Hulk Hogan reportedly used racist language in a call to his then-imprisoned son, Nick, and expressed a wish that they would not be reincarnated as black males.
2008: King of the Krewe of Bacchus
In 2008, Hulk Hogan was honored as the King of the Krewe of Bacchus, a New Orleans carnival organization, where he visited the Children's Hospital and rode in the parade.
2008: Began Relationship with Jennifer McDaniel
In early 2008, Hulk Hogan began a relationship with Jennifer McDaniel, starting a new chapter in his personal life.
October 27, 2009: Hogan Signs with TNA
On October 27, 2009, it was announced that Hulk Hogan had signed a full-time contract to join TNA.
November 2009: Engagement to Jennifer McDaniel
In November 2009, Hulk Hogan and Jennifer McDaniel became engaged, signaling a commitment to a long-term relationship.
2009: Hogan Denies Infidelities in Autobiography
In his 2009 autobiography, Hulk Hogan acknowledged that Linda suspected him of infidelities but denied allegations that he ever cheated on her, offering his perspective on the divorce.
January 4, 2010: Official TNA Debut
On January 4, 2010, Hulk Hogan made his official TNA debut on a special live three-hour Monday night episode of Impact! to compete with WWE's Raw.
March 12, 2010: Hogan Uncensored Radio Show Debut
On March 12, 2010, Hulk Hogan hosted his own radio show titled Hogan Uncensored, on Sirius Satellite Radio's Howard 101, marking his entry into the world of radio broadcasting.
October 15, 2010: Partnership for "Hulk Hogan's Hulkamania" Online Gambling Game
On October 15, 2010, Endemol Games UK partnered with Bischoff Hervey Entertainment to produce "Hulk Hogan's Hulkamania", an online gambling game featuring video footage of Hulk Hogan.
November 17, 2010: A&E Special Finding Hulk Hogan
On November 17, 2010, Hulk Hogan had a special titled Finding Hulk Hogan on A&E, offering a deeper look into his life and career.
December 14, 2010: Marriage to Jennifer McDaniel
On December 14, 2010, Hulk Hogan married Jennifer McDaniel in Clearwater, Florida, solidifying their relationship.
December 2010: Underwent Spinal Fusion Surgery
In December 2010, Hulk Hogan underwent traditional spinal fusion surgery after the Laser Spine Institute procedures failed to cure his back problems, enabling him to return to his professional activities.
January 1, 2011: Death of Ruth V. Moody
On January 1, 2011, Ruth V. (née Moody), Hulk Hogan's mother, passed away.
March 3, 2011: Hogan Declares Himself Owner of TNA
On March 3, 2011, Hulk Hogan returned to TNA and declared himself the new owner of TNA after winning a court battle against Dixie Carter.
March 24, 2011: Appearance on American Idol
On March 24, 2011, Hulk Hogan made a special appearance on American Idol, surprising wrestling fans Paul McDonald and James Durbin.
September 2011: Reveals Financial Struggles
In September 2011, Hulk Hogan revealed that his lavish lifestyle and divorce had cost him hundreds of millions of dollars and nearly bankrupted him.
October 2011: Release of Hulk Hogan's Main Event
In October 2011, Hulk Hogan released a video game called Hulk Hogan's Main Event, adding to his ventures outside of wrestling and acting.
November 1, 2011: Launch of Hogan Nutrition Website
On November 1, 2011, Hulk Hogan launched a new website called Hogan Nutrition, featuring various nutritional and dietary products.
April 2012: Emergence of Sex Tape
In April 2012, a sex tape between Hulk Hogan and Heather Clem surfaced online, causing significant personal and legal challenges.
October 4, 2012: Gawker Releases Sex Tape Clip
On October 4, 2012, Gawker released a short clip of the sex tape involving Hulk Hogan, further intensifying the controversy.
October 15, 2012: Lawsuit Filed Against Bubba and Heather Clem
On October 15, 2012, Hulk Hogan filed a lawsuit against Bubba and Heather Clem for invading his privacy due to the release of the sex tape.
October 29, 2012: Settlement with Bubba the Love Sponge
On October 29, 2012, Hulk Hogan reached a settlement with Bubba the Love Sponge regarding the sex tape controversy.
December 2012: Court Ruling on Gawker's Publication
In December 2012, a federal court ruled that Gawker's publication of the sex tape snippet did not violate U.S. copyright law, part of the ongoing legal battle.
2012: Opening of "Hogan's Beach" Restaurant
In 2012, Hulk Hogan opened a beachfront restaurant called "Hogan's Beach" in the Tampa area.
2012: Final Match and General Manager Role
In January 2012, Hulk Hogan had his final match during TNA's tour of the United Kingdom. On February 2, 2012, he returned to Impact Wrestling as Garett Bischoff's trainer. Later, on March 29, 2012, Hogan became the new General Manager of Impact Wrestling, replacing Sting.
January 3, 2013: Hogan Suspends Bully Ray
On January 3, 2013, Hulk Hogan suspended Bully Ray indefinitely after seeing him kissing Hogan's daughter, Brooke.
January 2013: Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Against Laser Spine Institute
In January 2013, Hulk Hogan filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the Laser Spine Institute for $50 million, alleging unnecessary and ineffective spinal operations worsened his back problems.
October 2013: Partnership for "Hostamania" Web Hosting Service
In October 2013, Hulk Hogan partnered with Tech Assets, Inc. to open a web hosting service called "Hostamania", promoting it with a commercial video parodying Jean-Claude Van Damme and Miley Cyrus.
November 21, 2013: Hangout On Air on Google Plus
On November 21, 2013, Hulk Hogan and GoDaddy.com appeared together on a live Hangout On Air on Google Plus to discuss Hostamania, fans, and business.
2013: Only Professional Wrestler on Cover of Sports Illustrated
As of 2013, Hulk Hogan was the first and only professional wrestler to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
February 24, 2014: WWE Return to Hype WWE Network
On February 24, 2014, Hulk Hogan made his first WWE in-ring appearance since December 2007 on Raw to promote the WWE Network.
February 27, 2015: Hulk Hogan Appreciation Night at Madison Square Garden
On February 27, 2015, Hulk Hogan was honored at Madison Square Garden during "Hulk Hogan Appreciation Night", with a commemorative banner celebrating his wrestling career and historic matches in the arena.
July 2015: Anti-Black Rant Publicized
In July 2015, National Enquirer and Radar Online publicized an anti-black rant made by Hogan on a leaked sex tape recorded in 2007, where he expressed disgust with his daughter dating a black man and admitted to being "a racist, to a point".
October 1, 2015: Access to Gawker's Computer System Granted
On October 1, 2015, a Florida Judge granted Hulk Hogan access to Gawker's computer system for a forensic expert to search Gawker's computers and office, related to the sex tape lawsuit.
October 2015: "Hogan's Beach" Drops Hogan's Name
In October 2015, "Hogan's Beach", the beachfront restaurant that Hulk Hogan opened in 2012, dropped Hogan's name.
2015: Randy Savage Hall of Fame Induction and WrestleMania 31 Appearance
In 2015, Hulk Hogan confronted Curtis Axel on Raw regarding the "AxelMania" gimmick. He also inducted Randy Savage into the WWE Hall of Fame and reunited with Hall and Nash as the nWo at WrestleMania 31 to support Sting.
2015: Judge on Tough Enough
In 2015, Hulk Hogan served as a judge on the sixth season of Tough Enough, alongside Paige and Daniel Bryan. However, due to a scandal, he was replaced by The Miz after episode 5.
March 18, 2016: $115 Million Awarded in Gawker Lawsuit
On March 18, 2016, Hulk Hogan was awarded $115 million in his lawsuit against Gawker for defamation, loss of privacy, and emotional pain, marking a significant victory in the legal battle.
August 11, 2016: Control of A.J. Daulerio's Assets Granted
On August 11, 2016, a Florida judge gave Hulk Hogan control of the assets of A.J. Daulerio, former Gawker editor-in-chief, who was involved in the posting of Hogan's sex tape.
October 2016: Listing in WWE Encyclopedia
Despite being removed from most of WWE's online content in 2015, Hulk Hogan was still listed in the Hall of Fame entry of the official WWE encyclopedia released in October 2016.
November 2, 2016: $31 Million Settlement Reached with Gawker
On November 2, 2016, Gawker reached a $31 million settlement with Hulk Hogan, resolving the long-standing legal dispute stemming from the release of the sex tape.
May 3, 2018: Inducted into Boys and Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame
On May 3, 2018, Hulk Hogan was inducted into the Boys and Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame.
July 15, 2018: Reinstated into WWE Hall of Fame
On July 15, 2018, Hulk Hogan was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame and was invited backstage to WWE's Extreme Rules event.
November 2, 2018: Hosts Crown Jewel Event
On November 2, 2018, Hulk Hogan made his on-screen return as the host of Crown Jewel.
January 7, 2019: Tribute to Mean Gene Okerlund
On January 7, 2019, Hulk Hogan appeared on Raw to pay tribute to his longtime friend and colleague, Mean Gene Okerlund, marking his first WWE ring appearance in North America since 2015.
February 20, 2019: Chris Hemsworth to Portray Hogan in Biopic
On February 20, 2019, it was announced that Chris Hemsworth would portray Hulk Hogan in a biopic directed by Todd Phillips.
April 6, 2019: Induction of Brutus Beefcake into WWE Hall of Fame
On April 6, 2019, Hulk Hogan inducted his Mega-Maniacs tag team partner and longtime friend Brutus Beefcake into the WWE Hall of Fame.
June 17, 2019: WWE Airs Hogan Interview about U.S. Women's World Cup Soccer Team
On the June 17, 2019 episode of Raw, WWE aired an interview with Hulk Hogan about the U.S. Women's World Cup soccer team.
July 22, 2019: "Raw Reunion" Appearance
On July 22, 2019, Hulk Hogan appeared on the "Raw Reunion" special, participating in the "Toast to Raw" segment alongside Steve Austin.
September 30, 2019: Unveils 10-Man Tag Team Match for Crown Jewel
On September 30, 2019, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair unveiled a 10-man tag team match for Crown Jewel, with Hogan managing his team to victory.
December 9, 2019: Second WWE Hall of Fame Induction Announced
On December 9, 2019, it was announced that Hulk Hogan would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame a second time as a member of the New World Order (nWo) along with Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Sean Waltman.
February 14, 2020: SmackDown Appearance via Satellite
On February 14, 2020, Hulk Hogan made an appearance via satellite on SmackDown to discuss the Hall of Fame, where he was interrupted by Bray Wyatt.
2020: Second WWE Hall of Fame Induction
In 2020, Hulk Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame a second time as a member of the nWo.
March 19, 2021: Co-hosting WrestleMania 37
On the March 19, 2021, episode of WWE SmackDown it was announced that Hulk Hogan would co-host WrestleMania 37 with Titus O'Neil.
April 6, 2021: 2020 Hall of Fame Ceremony Airs
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Hall of Fame ceremony, where Hulk Hogan was inducted as part of the New World Order, finally aired on April 6, 2021.
2021: Legends Night Episode
In 2021, Hulk Hogan made an appearance on the Legends Night episode of Raw. He introduced the 'H-Phone,' gave his approval to WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, and watched the main event match.
2021: Bret Hart's Criticism of Wrestling Abilities
In 2021, fellow WWE Hall of Fame member Bret Hart continued his criticism of Hulk Hogan's wrestling abilities, stating that he "didn't know a headlock from a headlamp" and was "very limited", despite acknowledging Hogan's look as incredible.
February 28, 2022: Divorce from Jennifer McDaniel
On February 28, 2022, Hulk Hogan announced on Twitter that he and Jennifer McDaniel had divorced, ending their marriage.
2022: Vince Russo on Wrestling Style
In 2022, former writer Vince Russo, who Hulk Hogan had previously sued, commented that more wrestlers should wrestle like Hogan, as opposed to the modern acrobatic style.
2022: Most Often Cited Professional Wrestler
In a 2022 survey, Hulk Hogan was the most often cited professional wrestler by those in the general public who could name a professional wrestler.
January 23, 2023: Appears at WWE Raw is XXX
On January 23, 2023, Hulk Hogan appeared live alongside Jimmy Hart to open the WWE Raw is XXX show, celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Raw.
July 2023: Engagement to Sky Daily
In July 2023, Hulk Hogan became engaged to yoga instructor Sky Daily, proposing at Corin Nemec's wedding reception.
September 22, 2023: Marriage to Sky Daily
On September 22, 2023, Hulk Hogan married Sky Daily, marking another chapter in his personal life.
December 20, 2023: Baptized at Indian Rocks Baptist Church
On December 20, 2023, Hulk Hogan was baptized at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Largo, Florida.
2023: Chris Jericho on Hogan vs. Flair
In 2023, Chris Jericho stated on his podcast that in his experience, Hulk Hogan was a better worker than Ric Flair, praising Hogan's understanding of his character and audience.
January 22, 2024: WWE Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Hulkamania
On January 22, 2024, WWE celebrated the 40th anniversary of 'Hulkamania' with Hulk Hogan appearing in pre-taped footage.
2024: Endorsement of Donald Trump for President
In 2024, Hulk Hogan endorsed Donald Trump for president at the Republican National Convention and spoke at a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden.
2024: Launch of Real American Beer
In 2024, Hulk Hogan launched "Real American Beer", a light beer brand.
2024: Hulk Hogan Biopic Scrapped
In 2024, director Todd Phillips announced that the planned Hulk Hogan biopic starring Chris Hemsworth had been scrapped.
January 6, 2025: Appearance on Raw Debut on Netflix
On January 6, 2025, Hulk Hogan made a live appearance during the Raw debut on Netflix, accompanied by Jimmy Hart, where he was booed by the audience during a segment meant to advertise his Real American Beer.
