One week after delivering a speech for Donald Trump at last week’s 2024 Republican National Convention, WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan decided to bring Hulkamania to Detroit Lions training camp.
Hulk Hogan grew up in the Tampa Bay region and is a renowned Tampa Bay sports fan: The NFL’s Buccanneers, NHL’s Lightning and the Rays of Major League Baseball. Despite his loyalty to the Bucs, “The Hulkster” decided to show some love to the reigning NFC runner-ups at today’s training camp session.
Brad Galli of WXYZ Detroit posted a video of the wrestling legend cutting one of his signature promos with the Lions’ coach at his side:
“Yo manias, Hulk Hogan here! The greatest of all time, and my new tag team partner Campbell-mania brother is gonna run wild this year! Super Bowl, nothing but greatness, nothing but victory! So whatcha gonna do when the Detroit Lions and Campbell-mania runs wild on you brother!? Whatcha gonna do?!
Hulk Hogan also praised Campbell for having the “it factor” and called the Lions “one of the toughest teams” ever, per Christian Booher of Sports Illustrated:
“Oh he’s got the it factor all right. I just wish he’d have been my tag-team partner. He’s so full of it, I’d let him do all the work in the ring and beat the guys up and give me the tag. I’d drop the leg and steal all the glory. He could’ve been a wrestler, there’s no doubt. He might’ve missed his calling.”
I’m a huge football fan and Detroit has always been one of the toughest teams ever to walk out on the field. But the way they’ve got the deck stacked this year, I predict greatness for this team. I might be the new mascot, brother, I just might have to come up here and lead the charge.”
Indeed, the Lions come into 2024 with plenty of hype after ending several humiliating droughts last year. They won their first division crown in 30 years as well as their first playoff game since 1991, narrowly falling to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship after blowing a 17-point lead.
The Lions will begin their 2024 season with a home tilt against old friend Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 8 in a rematch of last year’s thrilling Wild Card Round showdown.
The Lions are just one of four NFL franchises that haven’t played in a Super Bowl, along with the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns. We’ll see if they can finally scratch their names off that list come January.
Hulk Hogan Had A Career-Defining WWE Moment In Michigan
One of the defining moments of Hogan’s career in the squared circle occurred near Motor City, Michigan nearly 40 years ago.
Hogan faced fellow wrestling legend Andre the Giant in the main event of WrestleMania 3, held at the old Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. Hogan body-slammed Andre before pinning him to retain his World Heavyweight Championship.
