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What’s the story?
Hulk Hogan has taken to social media so as to note that he graced the world-renowned Sports Illustrated (SI) cover 33 years ago.
Apparently, Hogan also added that he’s still the only pro-wrestler to hold the aforementioned honor—in response to which; several fans weighed in with photographs of a few other pro-wrestlers, who’ve also graced the SI cover.
In case you didn’t know…
Hulk Hogan is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestling performers of all time—having performed for several notable promotions such as WWE, WCW, Impact Wrestling and NJPW over the course of his long and storied career.
Hogan was fired from the WWE back in 2015, in light of a few leaked tapes that surfaced on the internet which showed Hogan mouthing racist profanities.
Following his aforementioned firing from WWE, Hogan has continued thriving as a businessperson in Florida, however, he has refrained from prominently appearing for any pro-wrestling promotion.
The heart of the matter
It was 33 years ago that Hulk Hogan became the first professional wrestler to have graced the cover of a Sports Illustrated (SI) magazine.
Hogan put forth a Tweet, replete with the cover photo featuring him on the SI magazine that was published 33 years back. Here’s what Hogan’s caption read—
“Wow it’s been 33yrs since I was on the cover of SI and still the only wrestler to have that honour brother HH”
Subsequently, several Twitter users noted that Hogan’s statement was factually incorrect; pointing out that Dwayne “The Rock" Johnson (2016), Ronda Rousey as well as Dan Hodge, are a few notable pro-wrestlers who’ve also graced the SI cover in the past.
Furthermore, it was also noted that The Rock bagged the cover recently as a part-time pro-wrestler; Rousey made the SI cover during her days as an MMA fighter in the UFC, whereas Hodge received the honor during his collegiate wrestling days.
What’s next?
Hogan continues to pursue business interests in Florida, however, has strongly asserted his intentions of returning to professional wrestling sooner rather than later.
Author’s take
Hogan appears to have made a small error, which has seemingly garnered him a few negative reactions on the internet.
Regardless, being featured on the cover of a reputed magazine is a great honour, and Hogan seems to take pride in it.
