WWE Hall of Famer Stevie Ray has joined his brother, Booker T, in paying tribute to the late Hulk Hogan, confirming that the wrestling icon was a pivotal figure in the success of their legendary tag team, Harlem Heat. In a statement posted to his social media, Stevie Ray remembered Hogan as a “good man” and acknowledged his importance to their careers.
The tribute follows recent comments from Booker T on his “Hall of Fame” podcast, where he revealed that it was Hogan who personally went to bat for Harlem Heat, leading to their massive push in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Stevie Ray’s post now adds another layer to that story, coming directly from the other half of the 10-time WCW Tag Team Champions.
“He Was Always a Good Man to Talk To”
In his social media post, Stevie Ray shared a classic group photo of himself alongside Hulk Hogan, Horace Hogan, and Virgil (who was known as Vincent in WCW). The photo captured a moment from their shared time in the nWo.
“Hulk Hogan was very important to me and my brother’s careers,” Stevie Ray wrote. “He was always a good man to talk to. R.I.P. brother.”
The Story of Harlem Heat’s Push
Stevie Ray’s comments echo the story recently told by his brother, Booker T. On his podcast, Booker T explained that early in their WCW careers, Harlem Heat was not being considered for a top spot in the tag team division. He said that Hulk Hogan, who was the top star in the company, personally went to WCW management and endorsed the young team.
“Hulk Hogan went to the company, and he said, ‘Look, guys, I don’t know why you’re looking for your tag team, when they’re right here in front of you, the Harlem Heat. These are your guys,'” Booker T recounted. “And boom, my brother and I, we got the rocket put on us from that point on, and we became the 10-time WCW Tag Team Champions, just from a word that Hulk put in.”
A Legacy of Influence
The combined stories from both members of Harlem Heat provide a powerful testament to Hulk Hogan’s backstage influence and his willingness to use his star power to elevate deserving young talent. During the mid-1990s, WCW’s tag team division was incredibly deep, but Hogan’s endorsement was the key that unlocked the main event potential of Booker T and Stevie Ray.
Harlem Heat would go on to become the most decorated tag team in WCW history, holding the championships a record 10 times. Their success served as a launching pad for Booker T’s legendary singles career, which saw him become a five-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion. The tributes from both brothers make it clear that without the support of Hulk Hogan, the history of one of the greatest tag teams of all time might have been very different.
