Often times a wrestler’s real name is like a rapper’s real name. You don’t want it getting it out because it might not have the same umph as their stage name. Just look at Terry Bollea compared to Hulk Hogan.
Look back at The Game vs. 50 Cent feud of the 2000s where The Game made sure to call 50 Curtis whenever he got the opportunity. It’s childish but no one wants their government name exposed.
Protect your real name at all costs. Especially if you know it sucks when spoken.
Drop The “Bollea” Add “Boulder”
Let’s go back to Hulk Hogan. It’s not unusual for wrestlers to use their real name—especially if their real name pops. On that note, if you were born Admiral Wolverine Lightning-Bolt and you want to be a wrestler—don’t change your name!
In the case of Hulk Hogan, Terry Bollea probably wasn’t going to pop. At least not in the South where he began his career. Early on he went under The Super Destroyer.
Things really started to roll for him when he became Terry Boulder and later Sterling Golden. Personally, I thought Terry Boulder was a great name and could’ve worked for a heel or face.
What If He Didn’t Become Hulk Hogan?
By late 1979, he took on the name Hulk Hogan while wrestling for New Japan and the WWE—then WWF. What if he remained Sterling Golden?
First off, Sterling Golden sounds a little generic and would’ve probably worked better for a smaller, arrogant heel. Hogan in his late 20s was obviously hulking or a boulder of a man.
Outside of being blonde I don’t know where “Sterling Golden” came from. I will admit it’s better than wrestling as “Terry Bollea”.
That just sounds like a local Northeastern enhancement talent. Someone who tag with Larry Santo or Riki Ataki to get steamrolled by The Fabulous Rougeaus.
It also sounds like an early World Champion who would’ve been forgotten about. Of course, the Hulkster was going to be anything but enhancement.
The thing is that any other name wouldn’t have resulted in a memorable icon—the most memorable icon—in wrestling. His star rose with Rocky III and Vince McMahon sculpting a superhero-like persona.
Then again, maybe he would’ve struck something on his own if he began wrestling as Thunderlips.
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