Hulk Hogan stepped onto the Fox News stage Thursday morning, but it wasn’t his new wrestling venture that dominated the conversation — it was his face.
The 71-year-old WWE Hall of Famer was there to promote Real American Freestyle Wrestling, his new league with longtime collaborator Eric Bischoff. But viewers quickly became fixated on his dramatic new look: a snow-white handlebar mustache and mullet contrasted with jet-black beard stubble. The sharp two-tone style, combined with his trademark deep tan, gleaming white teeth, red bandana, sunglasses, and a T-shirt reading “America first, beer second,” had fans doing double takes.
For many wrestling fans, the look recalled Hogan’s 1996 heel turn in WCW, when he joined the villainous NWO and sported a similar dark-and-light facial hair combo. But this time, the reception was less nostalgia and more confusion. “Hulk Hogan giving off Wooly Willy vibes,” one X user joked. Another quipped, “Tell Hulk Hogan his face is dirty,” while a third asked, “Does anyone believe this is Hulk Hogan?” One of the more honest takes: “What style would you call this?”
Amid all the beard buzz, Hogan did promote his upcoming league. Real American Freestyle Wrestling is set to debut August 30 in Cleveland, featuring individual matches across eight men’s and four women’s weight classes. More events will be announced in the coming months.
But for many viewers, the headline wasn’t the new wrestling league — it was the Hulkster’s bold grooming choice. And judging by the reaction online, it might be his most polarizing transformation since turning heel.
