Hulk Hogan Passes Away At 71: How the Wrestling Icon Redefined Macho Style from The '80s To The 2000s

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He wasn't just a wrestler-he was 'The Wrestler'. From the mid-1980s, when colour TVs were still a luxury in many Indian homes, to the early 2000s when wrestling mania swept through satellite television, Hulk Hogan was there-larger than life, louder than the crowd, and impossible to ignore.

On July 24, 2025, Hogan passed away at 71 following a cardiac arrest. But for generations who grew up watching him slam giants and tear through promos, his legacy isn't just about wins-it's about the look. Hogan's fashion defined the golden era of wrestling and turned him into a global icon whose style told stories louder than words.

Let's take a closer look at the style that made Hulkamania run wild.

The Red And Yellow That Became Iconic

Hogan's debut in the 1980s WWF (now WWE) came with unmatched charisma-and a signature colour palette: bold red and yellow. His boots, bandanas, and tights followed this theme religiously. The colours became symbolic of the Hulkamania movement, a visual shorthand for heroism, power, and crowd-pulling presence.

The Bandana And Tee Look That Never Left Him

Whether inside the ring or out at media events, Hogan was never without his bandana and ripped T-shirt. He tore those tees as part of his entrance routine-something that thrilled audiences from Madison Square Garden to living rooms in Mumbai and Chennai. The look was both rugged and theatrical, making him instantly recognisable even decades later.

The Mustache That Became A Symbol

You didn't need to see his face-just that blond horseshoe mustache and you knew it was Hulk Hogan. Groomed and shaped into a signature style, it became almost a personal logo. Even when he played different roles over time-hero or villain-his mustache remained, anchoring his identity.

When The Hero Turned Villain And So Did The Style

In 1996, Hogan shocked fans worldwide by turning heel (villain) and forming the nWo (New World Order) in WCW. Out went the red and yellow; in came black-and-white bandanas, dark sunglasses, and even a dyed beard. This transition wasn't just about character-it was also a fashion rebrand, showing how powerful clothing can be in storytelling.

A Look That Became A Brand

Even in India where most fans only knew him through dubbed broadcasts or pixelated posters, Hogan's look was instantly recognisable. His bandanas, mustache, and colours became part of action figures, lunchboxes, fake merch, and childhood memory. Long before influencers, Hogan's appearance was a commercial asset. His fashion wasn't separate from his fame, it was his fame.

More Than A Look, It Was A Feeling

Hogan's fashion wasn't about trends-it was about theatre, identity, and impact. The red and yellow, the bandana, the mustache, they made him larger than life even before he spoke a word. For Indian fans who watched him bring drama to their screens in the '90s and early 2000s, he will always be remembered not just for his matches, but for how he made us feel when he walked into the ring.

And even now, that look still runs wild in memory.