Remembering When Hulk Hogan Wrestled Marvel’s Hulk For Name Rights

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Throughout his 35-year wrestling career, Terry Bollea was recognized by several names such as “The Super Destroyer”, “Sterling Golden”, “Terry Boulder”, “Hollywood Hogan”, and “Mr. America”. However, it was the iconic moniker of Hulk Hogan that he became synonymous with. Renamed “Hulk” by Vincent J. McMahon in reference to Lou Ferrigno’s character from the 1970s TV series The Incredible Hulk, this larger-than-life figure in red and yellow wrestling attire, saw his victory over The Iron Sheik in 1984 ignite a cultural phenomenon both inside and outside the ring known as Hulkamania.

In the same year, the World Wrestling Federation’s (WWF, which later became WWE) popular, blonde-haired wrestler, who would later be hailed as an American hero, struck a deal with Marvel Comics. This was when Marvel was still under Cadence Industries. The 20-year contract meant that Bollea and Titan Sports relinquished all rights to the name Hulk Hogan, as well as any variations or derivatives such as Hulkamania and Hulkster, to Marvel Comics.

At the same time, Marvel and Titan struck a deal that granted them exclusive global rights to utilize the names Hulk Hogan, Hulkamania, and Hulkster across all forms of media. This includes live wrestling performances, movies (both dramatic and non-dramatic), TV series, merchandise, toys, animation, literature, and more. However, these names can only be employed in relation to the World Wrestling Federation, Titan, Terry Bollea, or a cartoon representation of Terry Bollea.

The paper outlined the conditions of the contract, which forbade Titan from linking “incredible” with Hulk Hogan (to avoid any mix-up with the Incredible Hulk comic character) and advised broadcasters not to refer to him as “The Incredible Hulk Hogan.

According to the agreement, ‘Hulk’ should always be paired with ‘Hogan.’ The contract also specifies that when they are used together, neither ‘Hulk’ nor ‘Hogan’ can overpower the other. Furthermore, Titan agreed to design a unique logo for Hulk Hogan that does not resemble the Marvel Hulk logo. They are also prohibited from using green and purple colors in association with Hulk Hogan or his logo. The new logo must not be similar to the Hulk’s logo, and Titan cannot register ‘Hulk’ or ‘Hulk Hogan’ as trademarks.

In different words: Famous wrestler Hulk Hogan, who battled giants like Andre the Giant, King Kong Bundy, and Randy Savage “Macho Man,” didn’t meet his namesake until 1990. This encounter took place in issue #45 of the Marvel Comics anthology series, where the Hulk (in his intelligent, grey-skinned alter ego Joe Fixit) squared off against a wrestler who claimed to be “the Incredible Hulk.

In the story “The Main Event,” penned by renowned Hulk author Peter David and illustrated by iconic Incredible Hulk artist Herb Trimpe, a character named Joe Fixit from Las Vegas stepped into the wrestling ring as an unnamed wrestler boasted about being “more rowdy than Roddy” and “macho beyond measure.” When the ring announcer proclaimed the Blond Barnstormer as the “one and only Incredible Hulk,” the grey-colored Hulk responded with a simple “Hulk,” and, embodying the original Hulk, he defeated his opponent in a humiliating fashion.

“I’ve spotted your posters, I’ve watched your videos, and I’ve even caught a few episodes of that old Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling show from the ’80s. Frankly, it’s more than enough for me!”

The Hulk was furious as he exclaimed, “Every time I see ‘Hulk’ with your face, it infuriates me even further. And the angrier I get,” the Hulk thundered, flinging the so-called “Hulkster” across the living room of a devoted Hulkamaniac, “the more you get the point.” The Hulk then scolded the wrestler, “You’ve garnered quite a reputation for yourself. Unfortunately for you, you chose the wrong one.” A triumphant Hulk addressed the ring announcer, “From now on, you can call me Mr. Fixit. And they can call me the extraordinary… something you already know.

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2025-07-24 22:39