The Icon, Hulk Hogan, was interviewed by Sports Illustrated recently to discuss his induction into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Alumni Hall of Fame. While there, Hogan also took time to praise the WWE Champion, AJ Styles.
While the Hulkster took time to praise AJ Style’s ring work, he also talked about the person that he is outside of the ring.
AJ has turned out to be one heck of a performer, one of the best in the world. Beyond that, he’s just such a good person. What AJ does in the ring is pheonomenal, and that’s why we call him the ‘Phenomenal One,’ but when he’s outside of the ring, he’s even more phenomenal. It’s so cool to see how he takes care of his family and loves his kids. If people saw him outside of when he wrestles, they’d have even more admiration for him.
Hulk Hogan also discussed how important the support of his fans has been over the past few years. Hogan has been involved in some serious controversy in regards to a certain tape that was released online in 2012. While the past six years have not been easy for the Immortal One, he said that the loyalty he’s seen from his fans has given him the strength to go on.
So many people are so loyal. That support has given me my pulse. I’ve wrestled for four generations of people, but after all of these years, I never thought the popularity would still be this big. I’ll be 65 in a couple of months, and I had no idea there would still be this groundswell of interest.
People have stood by me through the good stuff, but also through the controversy. People were loyal and stood behind me even when big corporations made decisions based on their corporate policies. The fans stuck with me. It’s been amazing how loyal they have been to me.
Hogan accepted his award last night and told SI how meaningful it was for him.
They’re thanking me for my contribution, and I’m thankful for them. The Boys Club is what pointed me in the right direction in life.
To see how the Boys and Girls Club helped Hulk Hogan when he was a child, you can read the full SI interview here.
