WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan’s recent media appearances promoting his new Real American Freestyle (RAF) Wrestling league, including a stop on “Fox & Friends” this week, generated considerable online discussion – but not just about the new venture. Many fans and commentators focused on the 71-year-old legend’s appearance, specifically his distinct facial hair: his signature white handlebar mustache contrasted against a dyed black beard and stubble. If you haven’t seen it, scroll down on this page.
Numerous outlets reported on the fan reaction online, including the New York Post, HELLO! Magazine, AOL, the Miami Herald, Sporting News, and Parade. These reports documented comments calling the look “new,” “dramatic,” “strange,” “unfortunate,” or “goofy,” indicating many perceived this two-tone style as a recent, perhaps questionable, change for the Hulkster.
However, longtime wrestling fans quickly pointed out the historical precedent. This exact look – the stark white mustache against a jet-black beard – was the signature style Hogan adopted when he executed one of the most famous heel turns in wrestling history back in 1996. Upon joining Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to form the New World Order (NWO) at WCW’s Bash at the Beach, Hogan shed his iconic red and yellow, embraced black and white, and grew out the black beard, becoming “Hollywood” Hogan. This look defined his persona throughout the peak years of the NWO and WCW’s dominance in the Monday Night Wars.
While the reappearance of the black beard startled many current viewers, leading to widespread online commentary about a “new look,” wrestling fans with longer memories quickly recognized it as the signature style of “Hollywood” Hogan. The online discussion underscores how newer fans might be unfamiliar with iconic looks from previous wrestling eras, even one as significant as Hogan’s NWO transformation nearly 30 years ago. As one fan noted online in response to the chatter, “That’s not a new look! That’s Hollywood Hogan!” What are your thoughts on the black beard? Leave your comments below on our Instagram page!
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