TNA Wrestling, NJPW honor Hulk Hogan following his death

TNA Wrestling and NJPW are honoring Hulk Hogan for the contributions he made to their respective promotions.

– Following Hogan’s passing at 71 years old, TNA presented a live episode of Impact from Kingston, Rhode Island on Thursday night. The broadcast was dedicated to Hogan with TNA taking a moment to remember him.

“Earlier today the world learned of the passing of the biggest icon in the history of professional wrestling, Hulk Hogan. His contributions to this company and the entirety of this industry will never be forgotten,” commentator Tom Hannifan said. “TNA Wrestling is deeply saddened by this news, and we send our condolences to the fans, friends, and family of Hulk Hogan.”

TNA is where Hogan ended his in-ring career, having his final match in 2012 on a TNA tour of the United Kingdom. He was with TNA from 2009-2013 as an on-screen performer as well as significantly influencing the company behind the scenes.

– NJPW, where Hogan found early success alongside his American stardom, posted the following remembrance on the company’s website:

New Japan Pro-Wrestling is saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Bollea, known to wrestling fans as Hulk Hogan, on July 24. He was 71.

While Hogan’s status as a blockbuster attraction and pop culture icon in the US is well documented, he also left a significant mark on Japanese and New Japan Pro-Wrestling history. Trained by Hiro Matsuda, Hogan first came to Japan in 1980, participating in the third MSG (Madison Square Garden) League that brought names from America to battle NJPW’s top stars. 

In late spring of 1983, the International Wrestling Grand Prix League saw the IWGP letters known today first used in NJPW competition. A league tournament brought wrestlers from across the world from various member promotions to determine an IWGP Champion that would then defend their status in the next year’s tournament. The league boiled down to Hogan and Antonio Inoki in the final, and to massive shock, Hogan would upset Inoki, landing his Ax Bomber lariat to send Inoki off the apron and to count out defeat to be the first IWGP League winner. Later that year, Inoki teamed with Hogan, and the two won the MSG Tag League together.

Hogan continued to compete in NJPW until 1985, and then returned to Japan in the early 1990s for the Genichiro Tenryu operated SWS. In 1993, Hogan created a stir when he targeted IWGP Heavyweight Champion Great Muta at Wrestling Dontaku while still carrying the WWF Championship; Hogan would defeat Muta in a non title bout in Fukuoka that May, and faced Tatsumi Fujinami the following January 4 in the Tokyo Dome before transitioning to WCW Stateside. Hogan’s last match in Japan came at Ultimate Crush in October 2003 with a victory over Masahiro Chono. 

 The thoughts and sympathies of all at New Japan Pro-Wrestling go to Hogan’s family, friends and fans.