Almost one year on from the death of the biggest pro wrestler of all time, Hulk Hogan: Real American tells the life story of the man who became a household name worldwide for the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of his life and career.
When the trailer was released for the new series, which has been co-produced by WWE and features some of the biggest stars from the past and present, it was promised that the good and bad of Hogan’s career would be discussed, and this does deliver on that promise. From his journey to the main event of WrestleMania, the steroid and racism scandals and Hogan trying to adapt to life after wrestling, this is an insight into the life and legacy of the wrestling legend, no matter how familiar you are with the story.
Featuring the final interview given by Hulk Hogan, the series explores his journey to the top, how it all came crashing down, and what really is the lasting legacy of a man who had a complex journey in all walks of life.
Hulk Hogan: Real American – The Rise, Fall, And Rise Again Of A Wrestling Icon
The docuseries opens with footage from Hogan’s funeral, which is narrated by various news reports from July 2025 that broke the story on the icon’s death. Shortly afterwards, episode one begins with footage of Hogan working out in the gym before the main topic of episode 1 begins, how Terry Bollea got his start in wrestling and ultimately became Hulk Hogan.
Bollea is very honest about his career and the early stages. Admitting that he is not a hero and that the Hogan legacy was much bigger than it had any right to be, there are no infamous Hogan lies throughout the series. While fans have giggled at the claims that Hogan nearly joined Metallica, nearly received the lucrative grill endorsement instead of George Foreman or wrestling 400 days a year, none of these are brought up in the 4 episodes. Hogan’s ex-wife Linda recalls her early memories of Bollea and claims that Hogan was a talented bass player and could have been Guns N’ Roses famous, but we will never know what would have happened if he took the spot instead of Duff McKagan. However, a clash of egos between Hogan and Axl Rose would have been interesting to witness!
Playing the role of the historian in the series, pro wrestling author Keith Elliot Greenberg is there to give the key points of Hogan’s career from a neutral standpoint. For those not as familiar with Hogan or WWF in the 80s, Greenberg gives the fan perspective from that time period and why things did or didn’t work for Hogan or the WWF.
The future legend began his career wrestling under a mask under the name of The Super Destroyer. While Hogan had the size at this point, his in-ring work was notably lacking. So much so that Jimmy Hart and Jerry Lawler joke that their first impression of the future Hulk Hogan was that he wasn’t anything special and wouldn’t draw a dime in the business.
As certain as death and taxes, a pro wrestling documentary with Bret Hart as a talking head means that The Hitman will give his unfiltered view on the topic. As footage plays of a young Hogan and Hart facing off, Hart quips that Hogan could do little more in the ring than a bearhug. However, when it comes to Hogan’s ability on the mic, Hart says that there was no one better at delivery or hitting their time cue. High praise from Hart given his history with The Hulkster, which is revisited later on when Hart has a lot more to say about WrestleMania 9.
The debut episode closes out with the tale of how Hogan nearly left wrestling entirely before his career really began. In a story that will be familiar to a lot of wrestling fans, Hogan famously refused to work a show for Vince McMahon Sr. to film his cameo role in Rocky III, which made him and pro wrestling gain much more popularity thanks to the scene where he beats up Sylvester Stallone in the boxer vs. wrestler exhibition bout. Hogan later returned to New York when he was informed that the World Wrestling Federation was now being run by McMahon’s son, Vince Jr. As episode 1 winds down, McMahon’s vision to make Hogan the face of his company begins.
The Rise To SuperStardom
Episode 2 sees Hogan playing a vital role in making WWE a success in the first few years of WrestleMania, the show that the WWF’s greatest gamble and nearly bankrupted Vince McMahon. Winning the title in Madison Square Garden from The Iron Sheikh and the relentless schedule to promote WrestleMania 1 are covered, as was his infamous appearance on Richard Belzer’s show that saw him choke the host unconscious.
Hogan’s rise continues to the most famous match of his career, the WrestleMania III clash with Andre The Giant in the main event. Even though the first 2 WrestleManias were a gamble, from this point on, there was no looking back for Hogan, as he had cemented himself as one of the biggest stars on the planet. Even known Hogan detractor Jesse Ventura compliments Hogan here, or the payday from being on a Hogan card at least.
Shortly afterwards, Hogan and Linda recall them being reconnected with his estranged brother. Sadly, Allan died of an overdose in 1986. When the documentary makers try to ask Hogan about his late brother, Hogan shuts them down and refuses to elaborate. Of Hogan’s entire life and career, this is the only topic he will understandably not discuss.
While there is a list of the biggest stars from the Hogan era of wrestling as talking heads, one unexpected guest was the current President of the United States and WWE Hall of Famer, Donald Trump. Talking about the rise of Hogan with clips of WrestleMania 5 spliced into the interview, Trump spoke about how he and Hogan have had a great relationship early on, one that was revisited when Trump went on his 2024 Presidential campaign. Given how much The Hulkstar supported Trump in his later years, the President makes a further appearance in episode 4.
With Hogan ready to call it a day after WrestleMania 6, the company looked to have a next star in line in the form of The Ultimate Warrior. The plan was for Hogan to put over Warrior and pass the torch, as is the time-honoured tradition in wrestling. However, as many of the talking heads recall in agreement, Warrior was no Hogan in terms of popularity, in-ring skill or promo ability. Ending on somewhat of a cliffhanger, the end of Hulkamania might be right around the corner.
The End Of Hulkamania?
Although episodes 1 and 2 show the rise of Hogan and his journey to becoming the biggest name in wrestling, the second half focuses on the start of his downfall. With the Hogan act becoming stale in the early 90s, The Hulkster is first debating retirement around WrestleMania 6, which no one believed would happen. As was teased at the end of episode 2, the steroid scandal then becomes the main focus, with Hogan infamously saying on the Arsenio Hall show that he didn’t take steroids. Cut to present-day Bollea, who admits that he did lie on that occasion, which few would be surprised by.
With his popularity fading, Hogan stepped away from the industry to pave the way for the next star in wrestling, Bret Hart. The Hitman describes himself as the DeNiro of wrestling, whereas Hogan is more Elvis Presley. Shortly after many praise Hart’s in-ring work, and how he had a much more innovative style compared to the big men of the 80s, the focus then shifts to Hogan’s return, WrestleMania 9, and that main event. Once again, Hart holds nothing back here with his thoughts on Hogan’s return. Snubbed by Hogan backstage, hating his match with Yokozuna and the Hogan follow-up, Hart takes a sip of his drink and simply says, “F*ck you.”
Aware that his act was not what it once was, Hogan attempted to make it into the movie world, with the film Suburban Commando being the film that gets the most spotlight. Acclaimed actor Christopher Lloyd says that Hogan was never going to do King Lear, and few would argue with that statement. With Suburban Commando being a box office flop, Hogan admitted he was tired of the movie industry and went back to wrestling, this time for rival promotion WCW.
Despite the fact that Hogan’s arrival was a big deal at first, fans were quickly aware that this was an older Hogan, which is very apparent by his 1994 Bash at the Beach match with Ric Flair. With all aware that the nostalgia of red and yellow Hogan fading fast, one of the most famous moments in wrestling history is revisited as Hogan turned heel at Bash at the Beach 1996 to form the nWo. Seeing a resurgence in popularity, Hogan saw the fans starting to get back on his side, which crescendos with his WWE return match against The Rock at WrestleMania 18. Despite being the heel, the Toronto crowd were very much pro Hogan, and the episode ends on a positive note.
Controversies, Politics, And Legacy
Although many wrestling fans and even Hogan himself would have liked to see his legendary career come to a fitting end in 2002 and for him to ride off into the sunset, the 2 decades that followed were some of the most self-destructive of any celebrity, and they are all covered in the finale.
The fourth and final episode sees Hogan’s final days in wrestling, post-wrestling projects and major controversies as the subjects. Following his historic return match with The Rock, Vince McMahon thought he had struck gold again like it was the mid-80s. However, while Hogan was able to turn back the clock at WrestleMania 18, it was very apparent that Hogan was nowhere near the performer he once was. Cut to HHH, who tried to convince McMahon that it wasn’t a good idea. Shortly after, Hogan was made WWE Champion.
With his physical condition deteriorating at this point, Hogan himself admits that he should have picked a different finisher, as decades of performing the leg drop took its toll on his back. With footage showing what Hogan needed to go through just to get to the ring, this was a man who clearly paid the price for dedication to his craft. Hogan himself has admitted that if he had stopped years ago, his quality of life would have been much better.
The hilariously infamous SummerSlam 2005 match between Hogan and Shawn Michaels is covered, with Hogan pointing out how Michaels made a mockery of the bout. Truthfully, a comment from Michaels would have been helpful here, as the story is rather one-sided and no one brings up the reported poiticking from Hogan. With the story being that Hogan nixed a trilogy between the two, this information is sadly omitted. There is a claim that Michaels oversold to try and make the match better, but the fans know the real reason why this match is remembered for all the wrong reasons.
After briefly looking at Hogan’s final WWE match, which saw him defeat Randy Orton, the Hall of Famer struggles with life away from the limelight. However, following an offer from VH1, Hogan and his family are offered the chance to relive his glory days once more with the reality TV series Hogan Knows Best. Although the family are on board with the project following the success of The Osbournes, the Hogan family becomes increasingly fractured now that cameras are following them 24/7. Hogan and Linda’s relationship suffers, and son Nick admits that the producers made him play childish pranks despite the fact he was in his later teen years. Daughter Brooke is not featured in this series. The divorce is later covered and how badly it affected Hogan, who contemplated suicide at this point in his life.
“I started drinking and started eating pills, and I just went down this rabbit hole for a couple days. Next thing I know, I’m sitting in front of my bathroom with a gun in my mouth not knowing what I was doing.”
In need of money and still looking for fame, Hogan’s TNA run is mildly discussed, but it is more to focus on his physical limitations. Sadly, Hogan’s final match at a UK house show is not discussed, nor is the negative impact [no pun intended] that he had on TNA while he was with the company.
With Hogan further spiralling, the rock bottom moments keep coming as the sex tape and racism scandal follow shortly afterwards, which resulted in Hogan being removed from the Hall of Fame and WWE not associating itself with the biggest star in the history of the business. The disconnect between person and performer continues here as Triple H is seen on camera saying that he didn’t fire Hulk Hogan, but he had to fire Terry Bollea. It should be noted that the scandal is mentioned, but the audio is not played and the words Hogan used are not repeated.
Although Hogan is painted as the public enemy number 1 in the wrestling world at this point, it’s clear that many fans still see him as their idol. At meet and greets, Hogan is still beloved by older fans and by their kids, many of whom were not alive to see him wrestle in any era. The Hall of Famer later admits that he needs to be Hogan every time he goes out the door, as fans don’t want to see Terry Bollea at these events, but the worldwide star that many saw as a childhood hero. Hogan is eventually reinstated into the Hall of Fame, but his lack of apology is not covered. Once again, how the scandal affected his peers would have added to this series.
Hogan’s support of Trump is covered next. Noting that he had voted for Trump twice previously, Hogan decided to go public with his endorsement as part of the 2024 campaign, which led to Hogan receiving a thank-you message from Trump during the Netflix interview later in the show. With politics and religion being two topics many believe should not be discussed, not everyone was happy with Hogan’s decision. While time was limited in Hogan’s last interview, the controversial appearances where Hogan questioned Kamala Harris’ racial identity should have been included, along with the disaster of his Real American Beer PR tour.
The final topic that was discussed was Hogan’s last and most infamous TV appearance in the wrestling world. While WWE looked to honour the past and present with the Raw on Netflix premiere, Hogan did not get the desired reaction. Booed out of the building, this was a crowd that did not want to see a figure they once considered their hero appear live, and was a stark contrast to Hogan’s 2005 appearance at WrestleMania Hollywood. Shortly afterwards, HHH admits that he did expect the crowd to boo Hogan. While the man himself claims that he was not concerned by the overwhelming negative reaction, Hart believed the opposite. Even though it is claimed that Republican supporter Hogan appearing live in the democratic state of California caused the boos, there were likely other reasons why.
With 15 minutes to go in the final episode, Hogan gets up from his chair and hobbles away with a walking stick in hand, ending what would be his final interview. The final portion of the show focuses on the talking heads sharing their memories of the Hall of Famer, along with backstage footage of how WWE handled SmackDown the next night. Triple H is heard saying that a 10 bell salute would take place, but there was no obligation for everyone to appear on stage.
Footage is then shown of Hogan’s funeral, with Vince McMahon delivering a rousing speech to hype up the fans one last time. As the credits roll, highlights from Hogan’s career play.
Final Thoughts
Much like the Vince McMahon docuseries that dropped on Netflix in 2024, fans aware of Hogan’s story will be aware of many of the key events, but the last episode is the one that contains the most newsworthy material. Even though the scandals are at the forefront, it would have been nice to hear more of the backstage pull Hogan had, such as Starrcade 1997 or what happened at Bash at the Beach 2000.
For those looking for sour veterans attacking Hogan’s creative control, ridiculous Hogan lies and a character assassination, this is not what has been produced. The producers are not looking to attack or defame Hogan, and the talking heads are mostly positive about Hogan and his legacy. Bret Hart is understandably bitter about WrestleMania 9, not everyone agrees with Hogan’s political views, and no scandal is avoided, but Hogan does not give any outlandish answers that some may expect.
In terms of the final interview, Hogan is much more honest than his previous interviews. There are no infamous Hogan lies here, and this is Terry Bollea speaking to the camera, not Hulk Hogan. Although the series claims that the art and the artist are no longer separate, Hogan’s final interview is not one to be embarrassed by.
Triple H has the last word in this series, noting that Hogan was not perfect, but his positive impact will live on forever while his controversies will fade. There will always be a somewhat tarnished legacy when it comes to Hulkamania, but this a fitting way to give all fans an insight into the man who made professional wrestling what it is today. Regardless of your opinion of the man, there is no denying that there will never be another Hulk Hogan.
Hulk Hogan: Real American is available to stream on Netflix now.
Featured image: Netflix.
