Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
The wrestling world has been united in mourning and remembrance following the recent passing of Hulk Hogan, a man whose name became synonymous with the golden era of professional wrestling. Hogan wasn’t just a superstar; he was a cultural phenomenon, a global icon who helped catapult professional wrestling into the mainstream. Yet, for those of us who grew up watching wrestling in the pre-national days of the territorial system, the legend of Hulk Hogan began not under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, but in a small television studio in Dothan, Alabama.
Before the Hulkamania chants echoed through sold-out arenas across the country, and before the world witnessed him slam the 520-pound Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III, Hulk Hogan was just Terry Bollea — a towering young man with immense presence but little polish. In 1979, he made his earliest television appearances in Southeastern Championship Wrestling (SECW), a regional promotion that operated in Alabama and Northern Florida. They taped TV from the humble confines of the WTVY studio every Saturday afternoon. That’s where I, like so many others, first caught a glimpse of what would become professional wrestling’s biggest star.
Known back then as Terry "The Hulk" Boulder, Hogan was still finding his footing in the business. Trained in Florida, he was given his first opportunity to shine in what was known as the Pensacola territory. SECW wisely cast Boulder as a monster heel, a devastating villain whose matches were often short and brutal. He’d tie up his opponents, whip them into the ropes, lock in a crushing bearhug, and secure a submission — all in a matter of minutes. It was simple, effective storytelling, tailored for a man still learning the ropes.
His promos also left much to be desired in those early days, which is why SECW paired him with veteran manager Billy Spears. But what Hogan lacked in experience, he made up for with sheer charisma and an unmistakable look. Even in that tiny studio with a few dozen fans, you could sense that something special was taking shape.
One of the most memorable early moments in his career came not on a nationally televised broadcast, but in a high school football stadium. I was there that night, May 25, 1979, when NWA World Champion Harley Race came to Dothan, it was Terry "The Hulk" Boulder who stood across from him in the ring — now as a freshly minted babyface. The transformation had
occurred quickly. Legendary booker Louie Tillet saw what so many others would later see: fans were ready to cheer for this larger-than-life figure.
That night in Dothan, Boulder pinned Race. Of course it was a screwjob ending that left the belt on Race. It wasn’t a title change, but it was a statement. SECW had taken a green, unknown talent and turned him into a credible challenger for the most prestigious title in professional wrestling. It was the kind of local magic that defined the territory era — moments that, while unseen by most, were crucial in shaping the careers of wrestling’s biggest stars.
Charlie Platt, the longtime voice of Southeastern Championship Wrestling, remembers those early days well.
“The first time I ever saw Terry, I knew he had the look. I had never worked with someone in the business who had that kind of physique. Hulk was really green when he first started, but he never had to be a great worker to get over. Just a few years later, he’s the face of sports entertainment. He took the business to a whole new level and I have great respect for that.”
After that night with Harley Race, the writing was on the wall. Boulder’s time in SECW was short but impactful. Within months, he moved on to Memphis, where he continued honing his craft, and then to the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), which would soon become the launching pad for the Hulkamania phenomenon.
From there, Hogan's rise was meteoric. Winning the WWF Championship in 1984 from the Iron Sheik marked the birth of Hulkamania. That legendary pin of Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987 cemented his status as a hero to millions. In 1996, he shocked the world again by turning heel and forming the New World Order (nWo), revolutionizing wrestling storytelling during the Monday Night Wars. His emotional showdown with The Rock at WrestleMania 18 became one of the most electric matches in WWE history.
But for those of us who watched him perform, the legend of Hulk Hogan began long before the pyrotechnics and Pay-Per-View events. It began with Saturday afternoons, static on the TV antenna, and the distinct voice of Charlie Platt calling matches from a little studio that felt like the center of the universe.
In those early days, Hulk Hogan wasn’t yet the Immortal One. He was Terry Boulder — green, hungry, and determined. And for a brief moment, he belonged to us. He was ours before he was the world’s.
His passing reminds us not only of the grand moments that made global headlines but of the quiet ones that shaped him. The ones that took place in cities like Dothan and Pensacola, where fans believed in what was possible long before the rest of the world caught on.
Hulk Hogan is gone, but his journey — from humble beginnings to pop culture royalty — endures. It’s a journey that proves greatness isn’t born on a big stage. Sometimes, it begins on a small one, with a bearhug and a dream.
Rest in peace, Hulkster. You bodyslammed the world — and you started right here with us.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
