BOISE, Idaho — This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
Hundreds of Boiseans came out Wednesday morning for an opportunity to grab a photo and an autograph from a wrestling icon.
Hulk Hogan touched down in the Treasure Valley for a two-day tour promoting his Real American Beer brand. While Hogan is a World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famer for his exploits in the ring, he also had a recent brush with relevance following his appearance at the Republican National Convention, where he endorsed former president and current Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Local fans started lining up at the Jacksons Food Store, located at 2581 Broadway Ave., at 9 a.m. to get a good spot in line for Hogan’s noon appearance. By the time the event started, the line stretched well beyond the parking lot and down the sidewalk.
Hogan declined a brief interview with the Idaho Press, saying he had other places to be. His Wednesday stops included an Albertsons on South Broadway Avenue and Giggy D’s Bar in Meridian that evening.
He’ll also make a handful of appearances Thursday in Boise, Kuna and Meridian.
Wednesday morning’s event saw a strong contingent of locals come out for a chance to meet the Hulkster.
Nick Malespin, 42, said he started watching WWE — then known as the World Wrestling Federation — with his grandfather close to 40 years ago.
“My grandpa got me started on Saturday Night’s Main Event,” Malespin said. “He just passed away, so this is kind of a tribute to him.”
Rob Scott, 57, said he knew of Hogan when the WWE star made his mark in the 1980s and 1990s as a world wrestling champion. Even so, it was Hogan’s RNC appearance that caught Scott’s attention, who came to Wednesday’s event decked out in a Trump shirt and hat.
Hogan made national headlines less than two weeks ago at the RNC in Milwaukee, when he took the main stage and called Trump “an American hero.” He then got the crowd riled up when he ripped off his shirt to reveal a red “Make America Great Again” T-shirt.
“He had a really good speech,” Scott said. “I always had a feeling that he was a dumb wrestler, not too intelligent. But he’s very intelligent, very smart. I want him to sign my Trump hat.”
The Kamala Harris campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding this story. Harris is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee after incumbent President Joe Biden bowed out of the race on July 21.
Lori Luttmann, 45, said her children grew up on wrestling and, politics aside, believes that Hogan is a good role model.
“As a single mom in the late ‘90s, early 2000s, Wrestlemania was the only thing my boys were into,” she said. “Whether it be watching it on TV or wrestling in the room.
Hogan in the Treasure Valley:
Here is where Hulk Hogan will be Thursday as he promotes his Real American Beer brand:
10 a.m.: Maverik at 12095 W Ustick Road in Boise
Noon: Ridley’s at 1403 N Meridian Road in Kuna
3:30 p.m.: Albertsons at 3499 E Fairview Ave. in Meridian
5:30 p.m.: Legends Bar at 7609 W Overland Road in Boise
This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press, read more on IdahoPress.com.
