SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Tributes continue to pour in for wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, who once performed here in Springfield. He died on Thursday in Florida at 71 years old.
PHOTOS: Remembering Hulk Hogan, iconic wrestler dead at 71
Some say wrestling will never be the same. Hogan taking part in WrestleMania is a childhood memory for many, and now they are sharing the impact it left on their family.
One of the biggest stars in WWE history, Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, died at 71 years old on Thursday. Known for his horseshoe mustache, massive arms, and ripping off his shirt in the ring.
Tributes are now pouring in locally as they remember the impact he left on their childhood. One local told 22News, “I used to grow up watching wrestling with my family up in Russell. I like him. When we were little, it was like family time. We would have popcorn.”
The MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield also remembers the icon. The event center shared a poster on X that advertised his visit to the Springfield Civic Center back in the 80s and early 90s.
“When you’re little, you don’t know if it’s real or if it’s fake. You know, they are like body slamming each other and you’re like ‘Oh my gosh,’ and then when you’re older, you know it’s like kind of staged,” the Russell native added. Hulk Hogan’s fame was taking part in the creation of the annual WrestleMania event back in 1985.
Six WWE championships and an induction into the Hall of Fame in 2005 were reinstated in 2018 after WWE cut ties with the star for reportedly using racial slurs. Just last year, Hogan made an appearance at the Republican National Convention.
His signature move, revealing a Trump-Vance campaign shirt. President Donald Trump posted a statement on Truth Social on his passing, saying, “We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster.’ Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.”
Hulkmania, known as the energy he brought to the ring. His passion and commitment to professional wrestling left a mark on WWE forever and its viewers. Another local adds, “Watching it with my family, you know, seeing Hulk Hogan go crazy is something I’m going to miss going forward.”
Just a few months ago, Hogan announced he would be the first commissioner for the real American Freestyle Organization, the first-ever pro freestyle wrestling league in the world.
Founded just this year, the first event is set to be held at the end of next month.
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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Source:: News – Boston – wwlp
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