Hulk Hogan Live in 1980s Waco Was Unforgettable

By now, you've heard of the tragic passing of Terry Bollea, AKA Hulk Hogan, at the age of 71. I've been a huge fan of wrestling ever since I was a young fellow in the 1980s. I no longer have time to watch the programming, but it has always held a special place in my heart.

I had the opportunity to watch the Hulkster wrestle live in Waco sometime in the late 1980s at the convention center in Waco, Texas, where I grew up. I had a neat little interaction with Hogan that I'd like to share.

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Hulk Hogan Live in 1980s Waco Was Unforgettable

So my Dad took me to see a WWF house show, which is an untelevised promotion that usually is held in smaller towns. My brother wasn't a fan of wrestling, so it was just me and my dad. This was unusual because my family usually did everything as a unit. Since my mother was a stay-at-home mom before we were of school age, my brother and I often spent time with just her, but it wasn't very often we did things with just our dad, so this was special.

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At the show, of course, Hulk was the headlining match. He was one of the biggest stars in the world at the time. The place went nuts when he came out, everybody cheering like crazy.

Except me. See, I didn't like the "babyfaces" in wrestling, which means they are the good guys. I liked the "heels," or bad guys. They were usually funnier and cooler in general in my eyes. So, out comes Hogan, everybody is cheering their butts off, and right when he gets in the ring, I let out the loudest boo I could muster with my twelve-year-old lungs.

The Hulkster turned, looked directly into my eyes, pointed right at me, and then did his signature move where he tears off his shirt. It was freaking awesome, a memory I will never forget.

RIP Hulkster.