Each NHL team’s most famous superfan
By Cody Rivera
Tampa Bay Lightning: Hulk Hogan
What are you gonna do, brother, when Hulkamania and the Tampa Bay Lightning run wild on YOU?!
Hulk Hogan might be considered the greatest professional wrestler of all time. He spent many years performing with the World Wrestling Federation, now World Wrestling Entertainment. He made an appearance in Rocky III as the world heavyweight wrestling champion Thunderlips, a role that really progressed his career.
Hogan is well known for his rivalry with WWE chairman Vince McMahon, and the two even performed in an epic Street Fight 15 years ago at WrestleMania XIX in Seattle. Hogan was eventually inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, and coincidentally, the man who created and starred as Rocky, Sylvester Stallone, had the honor of inducting the Hulkster.
In the meantime, Hulk Hogan resides in Tampa, Florida, and he considers himself to be a fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The debate as to whether or not he is a truly dedicated fan might still be up in the air though. When the Lightning were playing against the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, Hogan didn’t exactly help his case.
He went on NBC’s pregame show to address Blackhawks fan and former WWE wrestler CM Punk, who claimed the Lightning can’t sell out their arena without the visiting Chicago fans. Hogan went on to refer to Lightning head coach John Cooper as “Conner” and later called captain Steven Stamkos “Stamko.”
Hogan might make frequent appearances at Lightning games, but to be considered a diehard fan, you should probably know the name of your team’s coach and captain. The Hulkster has plenty to learn.