Hulk Hogan

I heard that professional wrestler Hulk Hogan has passed away.

When it comes to Hulk Hogan, isn't he someone even those who aren't familiar with professional wrestling know?

When I was a child, Hulk Hogan was one of my favorite foreign wrestlers.

Shortly after he first came to Japan, there was a time when he was called a big, useless oaf who couldn't do anything.

However, he exuded a glamorous atmosphere, and even as a child, I could sense his star quality.

What I remember is that when Antonio Inoki was absent due to injury and the Japanese side was short on strategy, Hogan joined as a helper.
There was no helper more reliable than him.

Hogan began teaming up with Japanese wrestlers more often, and when Inoki returned to the ring, a dream team of Inoki and Hogan was born.

Fans could see him growing rapidly as he expanded his range of fighting by both battling against and teaming up with Inoki.

Then, in a tournament called the IWGP, which was touted to determine the true world champion, Hogan scored a KO victory over Inoki with his signature Axe Bomber!

His stock skyrocketed after that dramatic win over Antonio Inoki.

Later, he became a world superstar by winning the WWF Championship, one of the three major titles in the world.

Speaking of Hulk Hogan, he used to say
"Ichiban!"
instead of saying he was No. 1, he would say in Japanese that he was the best.

He would display "Ichiban" on his costume and wear T-shirts with "Ichiban" printed in large letters on the chest.

I think this "Ichiban" T-shirt was quite popular among some fans.
I wanted one too and looked everywhere for it, but there were no sizes that fit a small elementary school student.

I might be able to find one now, but back in those days, they only had large sizes...

Back then, just watching TV, there were so many foreign wrestlers who made you feel excited and thrilled. They had charisma.

I wonder if he will reunite with Inoki and Andre the Giant in heaven?