Hulk Hogan on Dusty Rhodes: ‘He Was The Main Reason I Got Focused on Pro Wrestling’

“If it wasn’t for Dusty, none of this happens”

Forty years ago today, Hulk Hogan defeated the Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden to win the World Wrestling Federation title.

And thus began Hulkamania.

Courtesy WWE

The Hulkamania phenomenon was created in Minneapolis, Minnesota during Hogan’s run in the American Wrestling Association, then reached unimaginable global prominence under the stewardship of Vince McMahon. Hogan is one pro wrestling’s most recognizable personalities, and his rise to the top will forever live in wrestling lore.

After winning the world title on January 23, 1984, Hogan held the title until February of 1988. Yet Hulkamania has powered through the decades. Even as wrestling continues to evolve and change, Hulkamania has marked the time.

Courtesy WWE

Hogan, 70, was in the news last week after he and a friend helped a teenager who was involved in an accident that flipped her car. He also appeared on last night’s Raw, hinting that he will have a presence this Saturday at the Royal Rumble event in Tampa.

Hogan grew up in Tampa, falling in love with pro wrestling at a young age while watching shows at the Tampa Sportatorium. That is where he first encountered “Superstar” Billy Graham, who left a lasting impression on him, as well as the site where he saw his all-time favorite: Dusty Rhodes.

“It was Dusty Rhodes who was the one who got me hooked on wrestling,” said Hogan. “If Dusty Rhodes was not on TV on Saturday or Sunday morning here in Tampa, we were pissed off. We lived for Dusty Rhodes. I loved the matches, but the interviews alone, man–those were incredible.”

The late, great Dusty Rhodes

Hogan–whose real name is Terry Bollea–was wrestling-crazed his whole four years in school at Robinson High. His passion for pro wrestling grew by the year, as did his devotion to his favorite wrestlers.

“My whole senior year of high school, I lined up my study hall, shop class, and physical ed were classes where I could hide with my friends and wrestle,” said Hogan. “We’d hide in shop and wrestle, imitating Dusty and Dick Murdoch and the Great Malenko. Those are some of my favorite memories of high school. We all loved Dusty.”

Hulk Hogan: ‘If The Rock comes back at WrestleMania, it will be a moment people will never forget’

Rhodes passed away in 2015, but his legacy and family name continues through his sons. Cody Rhodes is steadily becoming the face of WWE, and Dustin Rhodes remains an important piece of the roster in AEW.

Courtesy NJPW

Hogan relished the opportunity to watch Rhodes wrestle at the Tampa Sportatorium. It would have been inconceivable to guess that the young blonde-haired man in the crowd would one day revolutionize the entire wrestling industry, but it makes sense when considering he learned from a revolutionary in Rhodes. The two even wrestled each other in Japan for New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1980 and ‘81, both in singles matches and tags.

Though they were briefly part of the same WWF roster from 1989-1991, Hogan and Rhodes shared common opponents but were always immersed in different storylines. Their only WWE match together was the 1990 Royal Rumble, but Rhodes was eliminated before Hogan entered the ring.

Yet Rhodes’ magnificence was always a focal point for Hogan. As Hulkamania turns 40, Hogan reflected on the lasting impact Rhodes made on him.

“If it wasn’t for Dusty, none of this happens,” said Hogan. “He was the main reason I got focused on pro wrestling.”