South Asian Desi Diaspora Mourns Hulk Hogan’s Death, Recalls Childhood Nostalgia and WWF Memories: As I write this article, it takes me back to my high school days when cable TV was still new in India. I was glued to the screen, mesmerised by WWF. When the news broke about Hulk Hogan’s passing, it felt like a vivid flashback. I still remember those Sunday mornings – my mom calling out, telling me to get up and take a shower, but there I was, wrapped in my blanket, refusing to move, eyes fixed on the TV. The commentator’s heavy voice still echoes in my mind, announcing with power and excitement, “Hulk Hogannnnnn!” Those were moments of pure childhood joy, when heroes wore yellow vests and the world felt strong, simple, and unstoppable.
The global wrestling community is in mourning following the passing of Hulk Hogan, an icon who defined an era. However, it is the South Asian Desi diaspora that has been particularly emotional, as news of his death has triggered a wave of nostalgia and childhood memories across communities worldwide.
For many South Asians who grew up in the 80s and 90s, Hulk Hogan was more than just a wrestler; he was a superhero-like figure who embodied strength, confidence, and entertainment. From crowded living rooms in India and Pakistan to small-town cable shops in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, WWF wrestling was a weekend ritual, and Hulk Hogan was its undisputed king.
Social media platforms were flooded with heartfelt tributes from Desis around the world. Many shared memories of watching WWF (now WWE) with family and friends, recalling how they would mimic his signature moves, rip imaginary shirts, and shout his famous lines like, “Say your prayers and eat your vitamins!”
Ravi, San Jose: “I remember watching WWF with my cousins every Sunday. Hulk Hogan was our hero. We would even fake-fight and call ourselves the ‘Hulkamaniacs’.”
Sana, Birmingham: “This news broke my heart. My brothers and I grew up watching him. Hulk Hogan made wrestling magical. RIP legend.”
Ahmed, Dubai: “We didn’t even understand wrestling rules back in Karachi, but we knew Hulk Hogan always won. His passing feels like a piece of our childhood has gone.”
Neha, Toronto: “WWF with Hulk Hogan, Undertaker, and Bret Hart was our life back then. Hulk Hogan’s strength and smile made us believe good always wins.”
Ali, Mumbai: “It was my father who introduced me to WWF, and Hulk Hogan was his favourite. Today, both of them are gone, and it feels like losing a part of my own story.”
Deepak, New Jersey: “Hulk Hogan was the face of wrestling when we were kids. His energy made Sundays unforgettable.”
Farah, London: “I still remember my brother hanging posters of Hulk Hogan in our room. Such an end of an era.”
Imran, Dubai: “Back in Lahore, we used to crowd around one TV just to watch Hulk Hogan fight. True legend.”
Priya, Singapore: “He was my childhood hero. My dad and I would watch WWF religiously. RIP Hulk Hogan.”
Ramesh, Melbourne: “Hulk Hogan inspired so many of us to believe in strength and good winning over evil.”
Shazia, Toronto: “Sad day. Growing up in Karachi, wrestling meant Hulk Hogan. Rest easy, champ.”
Mohammed, Abu Dhabi: “We didn’t have internet, but we knew Hulk Hogan. He was bigger than life.”
Anil, Kuala Lumpur: “Our school break conversations were always about Hulk Hogan’s latest match.”
Zara, Manchester: “His smile, his confidence, his lines – unforgettable memories.”
Raj, Nairobi: “We grew up playing WWF cards, always fighting to keep Hulk Hogan.”
Wrestling as a Cultural Connector
For the South Asian diaspora, wrestling was not just entertainment. In many immigrant households, it was a bridge between generations and cultures. Parents and children sat together, cheering Hulk Hogan as he body-slammed giants twice his size. In cities like Karachi, Lahore, Delhi, Dhaka, and Colombo, local video parlours played WWF tapes on loop, and Hulk Hogan was the undeniable crowd-puller.
Children wore Hulkamania T-shirts, tied yellow bandanas around their heads, and carried lunchboxes with his image. For many, he represented power and justice in a world where they felt marginalised as minorities abroad or struggling with economic challenges back home.
“Whenever Hulk Hogan came on TV, our tiny apartment in Queens felt like Madison Square Garden,” shared Rohit from New York. “He gave us hope that no matter how big the odds, you could stand up and win.”
Ayesha from Kuala Lumpur recalled, “My brother and I would wake up early to catch WWF before school. We pretended to be wrestlers in the backyard, and he always chose Hulk Hogan.”
A Legacy Beyond the Ring
Though wrestling evolved into WWE, and newer superstars emerged, Hulk Hogan’s name remained synonymous with wrestling itself. He was part of childhood stories, Diwali and Eid wrestling video marathons, and even school essays about heroes.
Today, as the South Asian community grieves, they also celebrate the Hulkster’s unmatched legacy. His was a life that inspired confidence, resilience, and hope, making him more than a wrestler – a timeless hero etched in collective memory.
As the wrestling world bids farewell to the Hulkster, the South Asian diaspora collectively remembers him as a childhood icon whose legacy will forever remain etched in their hearts.
