Hulk Hogan Sudah Tiada


Peminat gusti mana yang tak minat Hulk Hogan? Dengan bicep extra besar, misai ‘handlebar’, dan bandana merah ikonik, beliau bukan sekadar bintang, tapi simbol zaman kegemilangan gusti dunia. Sejak merampas gelaran dunia WWF daripada Iron Sheik pada 1984, Hogan menjadi ikon budaya pop -- dialah superhero dunia nyata bagi ramai budak lelaki zaman tu, mencetuskan apa yang dipanggil 'Hulkamania'. 

Sebagai peminat tegar, aku dah tonton ratusan perlawanan Hulk Hogan, dari era VHS, VCD, DVD, TV percuma, TV berbayar, sehinggalah streaming zaman sekarang. Tapi, yang paling aku ingat -- bukanlah ketika dia menang, tapi waktu dia kalah. Dan bukan di mana-mana tempat eksklusif pun -- tapi di sebuah gerai tomyam berhampiran pasar basah Subang pada tahun 1990.

Gerai tu jadi ‘port’ utama aku dan geng untuk mengikuti video gusti terkini. Bayangkan: hanya perlu pesan nasi goreng Cina dan air sirap, dan aku boleh lepak sampai lebih tiga jam dengan muka selamba. Di situlah aku tonton perlawanan epik antara Hulk Hogan dan The Ultimate Warrior dalam WrestleMania VI. Dua hero bertembung. Satu era berakhir (buat sementara). Hulk Hogan kalah -- tapi momen itu menang besar dalam ingatan aku sampai hari ini.


Terry Gene Bolea: 1953-2025


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Dapatkan buku 'Kisah Hidup & Budaya Pop Anak Gen-X' di SINI

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