The Gist When Hulk Turned Heel
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Jul 28, 2025 Marc Raimondi, author of "Say Hello to the Bad Guys," dives deep into Hulk Hogan's dramatic heel turn and its massive cultural implications. He explores how this transformation mirrored societal shifts in the 90s, reshaping the wrestling narrative from heroism to a grittier authenticity. The conversation touches on wrestling's evolving style, marked by scandals and rival promotions, and even draws wry parallels between wrestling antics and modern politics. Plus, there’s a dive into the absurdities of government-funded research that will leave you chuckling!
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Hulk Hogan's Cultural Heel Turn
- Hulk Hogan's 1996 heel turn was a huge cultural moment widely discussed like a viral event before social media existed.
- He was America's wrestling hero, and turning him bad shocked fans nationwide.
WWF's Mainstream Wrestling Rise
- WWF became the mainstream face of professional wrestling in the 1980s, especially with WrestleMania events.
- Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3 drew over 33 million viewers, marking wrestling as a major TV event.
Steroid Scandal Splits WWF Stars
- A steroid scandal involving WWF's doctor led to a federal case against Vince McMahon for steroid distribution.
- Hulk Hogan's cooperation with feds caused a rift with McMahon but ultimately no damaging testimony against McMahon arose.
