Before the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and John Cena pushed WWE to new heights, it was Hulk Hogan, who remained at the forefront of the industry for over a decade. With Hulkamania running wild back in the 80s and 90s, the impact of Hogan on the wrestling landscape remains unmatched.
Although things haven’t been always sunshine and roses for the former WWE Champion, following the plethora of controversies that have followed him over the years, it hasn’t stopped Hogan from inspiring fans. And it seems, not only fans but Hogan is also responsible for one of the strongest characters in One Piece.
Hulk Hogan Inspired One of the Strongest Characters in One Piece
Crafted by Eiichiro Oda, the long-running manga and anime, which spans over 1000+ episodes, has cemented itself as one of the most beloved anime in recent times. And with a live-action adaptation of the popular IP around the corner, the hype around One Piece keeps on ascending. And it appears, one of the strongest characters in the story was inspired by former WWE Icon Hulk Hogan.
WWE fans consuming the manga property might’ve already noticed the resemblance between Hogan and Whitebeard, and it makes sense, considering Hogan was the biggest inspiration for the character. With both sharing an iconic white stache and a bandana around their neck, the two also comprised flowing blonde hair in their younger days, and are considered the best in their respective fields.
Can Hulk Hogan Play Whitebeard in Live-Action?
Although Hulk Hogan shares an impressive resemblance to Whitebeard, he isn’t the right fit to bring the character in the live-action adaptation, if the character ever makes an appearance in the future. Although Hogan did try getting his Hollywood career run, Hogan didn’t land any major success, failing to make the transition into showbiz. Unlike Dwayne Johnson, John Cena, and Dave Bautista, who proved there’s a place for big-statured figures in Hollywood, the realm of acting was definitely not Hogan’s cup of tea.
Even though Hogan’s career and reputation have taken several hits throughout his wrestling career, fans do remain grateful to him, as he pushed the pro-wrestling brand to new heights in the 80s and 90s. And following his influence in the entertainment industry, he remains one of the greatest to ever stepped footing in the squared circle.
Source: CBR
