Wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan, the larger-than-life icon known for his signature horseshoe mustache, golden blond hair, deep tan, and unforgettable shirt-ripping entrances, has passed into the great beyond, leaving the world heartbroken. After all he was the man who inspired generations to believe in themselves with just one roar of “Whatcha gonna do, brother?”

The iconic era came to a heartbreaking end on July 24, when Hogan suffered a cardiac arrest. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. But despite efforts to save him, the world was forced to say goodbye to one of its most beloved showmen. But while his passing has left millions in mourning, his legacy continues to live on. A recent post by ‘Real American Freestyle,’ a venture founded by Hogan himself, served as a powerful reminder of this.

The Real American Freestyle wrote on X, “Today we lost our Commissioner. We lost a friend. And the sport of wrestling lost one of its greatest champions, not just in the ring, but in spirit.” And added, “From day one, he threw his weight behind this league. He met with athletes. He watched tape, shared stories, and showed up like only he could. RAF was personal to him, something bigger than all of us.” 

They also added why this league was built, saying, “Hulk Hogan believed wrestling was more than just entertainment. He saw it as a brotherhood, a proving ground, and a platform for greatness. That’s what Real American Freestyle was built to be: a new stage for the toughest, most passionate athletes on Earth. And Hulk was at the center of it.” Followed by the official tweets, Eric Bischoff also confirmed the continuation of RAF. When fans asked him on X, “Is Real American Freestyle still happening?” He just replied, “The show goes on, brother!”

Described as the “first unscripted pro wrestling league for the best athletes in the world,” Real American Freestyle will take over the Wolstein Center in Cleveland for its debut event on August 30. Streaming platform FOX Nation, which became the event’s exclusive broadcast partner before Hogan’s passing, will move forward with the live coverage as a tribute to the WWE legend, reports TMZ. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hulk Hogan, who single-handedly shaped the world of professional wrestling and inspired millions around the world. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and his many fans,” said Fox Nation President Lauren Petterson. Indeed, Hogan’s impact on professional wrestling cannot be admired enough.

Hulk Hogan: the man, the myth, the legend

Hulk Hogan was born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, and joined the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) in 1979 after adopting the alliterative surname ‘Hogan.’ The name ‘Hulk’ had already been given to him after fans and producers drew comparisons between his muscular build and the comic book character featured in the CBS television series, ‘The Incredible Hulk’. Weighing 300 pounds in his prime and standing at 6 feet 8 inches, Hogan would go on to be a part of some of the most amazing storylines in professional wrestling. 

Hogan catapulted into popularity in 1982, when he starred in Rocky III as Thunderlips, a wrestler who throws Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) out of the ring. On returning to the WWF a year later, he underwent a rebrand with the organization giving him a patriotic persona and rivalries against Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff, who represented Iran and the Soviet Union. Hogan would then make his match entrances to the song Real American and would urge fans to take their vitamins.

That being said, not every wrestling fan was smitten with Hogan, with many thinking his flamboyance far outweighed his grappling skills. In fact, Wrestling Observer called him the most overrated wrestler more than once in his career. But ‘Hulkamania’ as a phenomenon refused to die down, and Hogan sold out stadiums whenever he went. That’s how special Hulk Hogan was, and always will be.