Portage resident Ryan Espey is reflecting on the impact of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, who passed away from a heart attack on July 24, 2025.
Espey, a longtime fan, shares how the shock of the news and Hogan’s legacy shaped his life.
He recalls finding out about Hogan’s death while on the road for a wedding in Ontario. In the middle of nowhere, his wife broke the news.
“She looks at me and says, ‘I’m going to tell you something that you’re going to find very upsetting,’” he says. “I said that’s fake. There’s no way that’s true."
Once he saw the confirmation via a news site, he realised the legend had truly passed.
Childhood hero and lifelong inspiration
Hogan entered Espey’s life early. He first saw Hogan perform when he was just three years old, before the star joined the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE).
“He was a larger‑than‑life character and I thought it was the greatest thing ever,” Espey mentions.
From the Rock ’n’ Wrestling era to WrestleMania 3 and matches against legends like Andre the Giant and The Rock, Espey notes he can recall exactly where he was during each major Hogan moment.
Meeting the man behind the myth
Years later, Espey got the chance to meet Hogan in person in 2012 after winning a North American body transformation competition in Miami, Florida.
“I had an opportunity to tell him how much impact he had on me and what he meant to me,” he says. “He was very gracious, and a gentleman… I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone the entire details of that conversation, and I probably never will.”
He also reflects on other personal hero encounters: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno, all of whom he says lived up to expectations.
“All of them have been fantastic,” he adds.
Wrestling’s mainstream moment
Hogan, together with Vince McMahon, helped transform professional wrestling from regional circuits into a global pop culture phenomenon.
“They took the thing global and brought it to pay‑per‑view in the TV audience, ways that had never been done,” Espey explains.
Thanks to Hogan’s mainstream visibility, especially after appearing in Rocky III, wrestling became family‑friendly entertainment adored across North America.
From hero worship to personal ambition
Hogan’s example inspired Espey’s own pursuit of strength and competitive sport, especially in armwrestling.
“He absolutely did,” Espey remarks. “Combat sports, training; just getting yourself to be the strongest version that you can be.”
He credits Hogan (alongside Lou Ferrigno) for igniting his interest in bodybuilding, powerlifting, martial arts and armwrestling.
Legacy lives on
In response to Hogan’s passing, Espey expresses gratitude for the enduring influence.
“I think he inspired generations of people to be better than they may have already been,” he says. “For that I want to say thank you to him, and I will be a Hulkamaniac for life.”
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