Hulk Hogan Reveals Dusty Rhodes’ Influence on His Wrestling Career

One Big Thing

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan recently revealed that “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes was his wrestling idol, inspiring his eventual path into professional wrestling during his high school years.

Why It Matters

This revelation provides a fascinating glimpse into the early influences that shaped one of professional wrestling’s most iconic figures, highlighting how legendary performers inspire future generations of wrestlers.

By The Numbers

• Hogan and Rhodes would later face each other in NJPW matches in 1980 and 1981
• Both wrestlers are two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductees
• Their matches took place in Tampa, Florida, where Hogan first saw Rhodes perform

Key Details

The High School Connection

• Speaking on the “PBD” podcast, Hogan described arranging his senior year schedule to include consecutive periods of:
• Shop class
• Physical education
• Study hall

Direct Quote

“In Florida, back in the day, there was a real popular wrestler named Dusty Rhodes, ‘The American Dream,’ and I became a huge fan of his,” Hogan revealed during the interview.

Behind The Scenes

Hogan described how he and his classmates would recreate wrestling matches during their free periods, throwing each other around and emulating their favorite wrestlers – never imagining he would eventually become one of wrestling’s biggest stars.

The Big Picture

This story exemplifies the cyclical nature of professional wrestling, where today’s superstars often started as fans of yesterday’s legends. Hogan’s journey from Rhodes fan to global superstar mirrors many current wrestlers who grew up watching Hogan himself.

Who was your wrestling idol growing up, and how did they influence your love for professional wrestling? Share your story in the comments below!