MILWAUKEE — Hulkamania ran wild Thursday evening at the Republican National Convention.
Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan brought down the house at Fiserv Forum here in a vivid speech that drew heavily on his wrestling persona and alluding to such 1980s artifacts as his hit record “I Am A Real American.”
“When Donald J. Trump becomes the president of the United States, all the real Americans are going to be nicknamed Trumpites because all the Trumpites are going to be running wild for four years,” the Hulkster said.
“So with the power of Donald J. Trump and all the Trumpites running wild, America is going to get back on track, and like Donald J. Trump said, America is going to be great again,” he said.
His speech was peppered with callbacks and turns of phrase referencing his wrestling career during the 1980s.
Mr. Hogan referred in his speech to “savages,” “warriors” and “giants,” alluding to the names of such rivals and allies — it was pro wrestling, after all — as Randy Savage, the Ultimate Warrior and Andre the Giant.
Mimicking his signature move, Hogan tore away his shirt to reveal a Trump Vance muscle-shirt underneath and sent the crowd into a frenzy by flexing in the exact poses he did when was World Wrestling Federation champion.
He closed out his speech by giving notice to liberals and riffing off his signature warning to his opponents back then.
“And what you gonna do when Donald Trump and all the Trumpamaniacs run wild on you!” he said.
There is precedent for speakers like the Hulkster, who briefly reminded the audience that his real name is Terry Bollea.
National conventions have included a variety of quasi-surprises over the years.
Actor Clint Eastwood assumed the role at the 2012 convention and scored an array of headlines after addressing an empty chair that represented President Obama.
Before his speech, Mr. Hogan said he “got tired of remaining silent” as he watched the increasing chaos at the border, and inflation raise the cost of groceries and gas.
“When they took a shot at my hero Donald Trump, I realized that I couldn’t be silent any more,” he said on Fox News. “You know, I had to step up. I had to be a real American just like all these real Americans here and Donald Trump.”
He said he was giddy about vouching for his friend.
”This is going to be like body-slamming the Giant at WrestleMania,” he said then, a line he repeated during the Thursday evening speech.
Hogan addressed delegates on the final day of the convention and served as part of the warm-up act for Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump has dabbled in the art of wrestling himself.
Wearing his signature shirt and tie, he slammed World Wrestling Federation CEO Vince McMahon to the group during the Battle of the Billionaires at WrestleMania 23 in 2007 in Detroit.
Mr. Hogan was at the center of a 2013 legal dispute over a sex tape that forced the owners of the liberal Gawker website to file for bankruptcy. Peter Thiel, who helped finance the rise of Mr. Trump’s vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance, helped bankroll Mr. Hogan’s lawsuit.
The final speaker lineup also included Dana White, CEO of the UFC, and Linda McMahon, head of the Small Business Administration in the Trump White House and former head of World Wrestling Entertainment.
Mr. Hogan, 70, brought professional wrestling to the center of American popular culture in the 1980s with his charismatic persona, fabled leg drop, “24-inch python” biceps and for sending his fans into a frenzy with a walkout that included musician Rick Derringer’s song “Real American.”
“I am a real American,” the lyrics say. “Fight for the rights of every man. I am a real American. Fight for what’s right! Fight for your life!”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.