Pro wrestler and celebrity Hulk Hogan was a paragon of strength and fitness. Yet, he died on Tuesday at a young 71. The cause of death was cardiac arrest.
Hogan (real name Terry Gene Bollea), multi-world champion in the WWE and World Championship Wrestling, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Last year, Hogan conducted a three-day tour of Alabama, releasing his new “Real American Beer.” He made stops similar to book signings at grocery stores in Huntsville, Baldwin County, Mobile and Auburn. (What would you call a book signing for a new beer?)
The beer is low-carb, 4.2% alcohol by volume, and light-bodied. It is advertised as a healthier beer.
Hogan had endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. He was a surprise speaker at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Hogan had planned on announcing his new beer at the yuuuuge Alabama vs. Georgia football game on September 29, 2024, in Tuscaloosa. It would have been a tailgating event outside Bryant-Denny Stadium. When Trump was later scheduled to appear at the game himself, Hogan canceled his gameday announcement. (Or it GOT canceled. Who really knows?)
Hogan initially faced hesitancy from businesses involved in his proposed Alabama tour of retail outlets due to his support of Trump. Hogan smartly solved the problem by scheduling the Alabama tour, promoting the new beer after the election. He had stops on November 6, 7 and 8, so the November 5 election was over.
"Real American Beer" is a takeoff on the name of Hogan’s WWE theme song, “Real American” by Rick Derringer.
At the GOP National Convention in Milwaukee (Beer City USA), Hogan spoke in support of the Trump-Vance ticket. He unexpectedly ripped off his shirt to reveal a Trump tank top underneath. Trump is a yuuuge WWE wrestling fan.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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