Hulk Hogan showed up Wednesday at an Alabama grocery store wearing his traditional red bandana and began signing 12 packs of a new beer branded with the name of his old professional wrestling theme song.
But for the 71-year-old sports entertainment legend, the appearance at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Fairhope was anything but a routine beer sales pitch. Hogan, whose fiery remarks at the Republican National Convention in July drew him newfound fame, was also in a mood to talk politics and his favorite politician, Donald Trump.
“Thank God, brother,” Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, told AL.com after asked to provide remarks about the outcome of the presidential election that saw Trump defeat Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday. “I was praying for that. It was in God’s hands. It’s all I can tell you, man.”
‘Too big to rig’
Hogan continued by raising unfounded claims about cheating at the polls in Philadelphia, which were echoed by Trump on Truth Social Tuesday afternoon.
Trump, writing on the social media platform, claimed there was “a lot of talk about massive CHEATING in Philadelphia,” though the allegations were debunked by Republicans on the ground. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the chairman of the city’s GOP was quoted as saying he had not heard any reports about cheating.
“When we said it was ‘too big to rig,’ it wasn’t a catch phrase like ‘Whatcha gonna do?’” Hogan said, echoing two catch phrases – one used by Trump during the campaign and the other long used by Hogan during his pro wrestling career.
Trump used the “too big to rig” mantra during the campaign to call for a landslide victory. He used the phrase during the Oct. 27, Madison Square Garden rally – which Hogan appeared at and spoke approvingly about Trump and “Trumpamania” — to urge his supporters to vote.
“When I saw what was going on in Philly with the machines and the glitches, and people voting who were not registered, I said, ‘oh my gosh,’” said Hogan. “I didn’t know what too big to rig meant. Thank God. And I’m glad I named my beer ‘Real American Beer’ to tell you the truth, brother. Perfect timing.”
‘Good advocate’
Hogan’s appearance in Fairhope kicked off a three-day swing through Alabama to market his new brand of “Real American Beer” at grocery stores that started Wednesday in Fairhope and Daphne. The low-carb, 4.2% alcohol by volume (ABV), light-bodied beer is for sale at stores throughout Alabama, and Hogan will make appearances in Auburn on Thursday and the Huntsville area on Friday to promote it.
The fans who waited in line to meet Hogan were instructed they could only get 12 packs of beer signed. Some who bought “Real American Beer” baseball caps could also get those signed. But Hogan also signed a few Trump ballcaps as well.
Hogan’s appearance in Fairhope was his first public showing since the election. He arrived at the store and gave a thumbs up to a throng of fans waiting in line to take a picture with the wrestling legend who once headlined Wrestlemania IV and V at Trump’s casinos in Atlantic City.
“We did it,” Hogan said, pointing to fans who wore Hogan attire and “Make America Great, Again” hats and t-shirts.
“With him coming out and saying, ‘we did it,’ it was heart-warming,” said Fairhope resident Ryan Pelchat who stood in line with his daughter, McKenzie and father, Mike.
Mike Pelchat of Fairhope waits in line to meet professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store during a promotion of Real American Beer” on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Fairhope, Ala. Hogan, a surprise speaker during this year’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and a strong supporter of Donald Trump, also expressed relief and glee over the presidential election results that saw Trump defeat Vice President Kamala Harris. Some of those who stood in line – like Pelchat – came adorned in Trump regalia. John Sharp
Mike Pelchat, 63, was decked out in a Trump shirt, pants, and draped in a Trump flag and wore Trump crocks. He said he and his family once cheered on Hogan during live matches against the late “Macho Man” Randy Savage, but he was just as happy to be celebrating the Trump victory while standing in line at a grocery store to meet a pivotal figure of the Trump campaign.
“It was the biggest night this country has had, or ever will have, I believe,” Pelchat said.
Jimmy Neal, a lifelong wrestling fan, showed up wearing a pro-Trump t-shirt and said he felt Hogan was a “good advocate” for the Republican president.
“He brought in people from the older and new generations and folks from the WWE and sports entertainment crowd,” said Neal, 41, of Fairhope. “He brought in the old and new generation and combined them into one.”
Hogan’s presence in the campaign was also credited for elevating a masculinity brand for Trump to lure higher percentages of male voters to the Republican ticket. Trump utilized a host of tough-guy celebrities during the campaign including UFC owner Dana White, podcaster and former UFC color commentator Joe Rogan, retired boxing champion Mike Tyson, and podcaster and wrestler Logan Paul.
“Donald Trump has a lot of entertainment connections, and I feel like (Hogan) was a good pick, and it was within he pool for him to choose from,” Neal said.
Hogan wasn’t the only wrestler involved in the 2024 campaign. The Undertaker (real name Mark Calaway) and Kane (real name Glenn Jacobs, mayor of Knox County, Tenn.) also endorsed Trump. Former grapplers like actor Dave Bautista and Mick Foley backed Harris.
Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan visits a Piggly Wiggly grocery store to promote his new brand of “Real American Beer” and sign autographs on 12 packs purchased by customers inside the store on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Fairhope, Ala. Hogan, a surprise speaker during this year’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and a strong supporter of Donald Trump, also expressed relief and glee over the presidential election results that saw Trump defeat Vice President Kamala Harris. Some of those who stood in line at the store wore Trump shirts and ballcaps.John Sharp
Not everyone wanted to talk politics. Chuck Lockridge, 38, of Piedmont, brought his young family to meet Hogan. The Lockridge family was the first in line, arriving more than three hours before Hogan’s arrival to meet the former wrestling champion and not necessarily a key Trump supporter.
“This is a childhood memory of mine, growing up and watching Hulk,” said Lockridge, who became a wrestling fan when Hogan grappled in the now-defunct World Championship Wrestling. His son, Harvey, wore t-shirt with Hogan’s wrestling image on it.
“My son is a 7-year-old wrestling fan,” Lockridge said. “That’s why we are here to make childhood memories for him.”
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Publish date : 2024-11-06 04:26:00
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