Lessons Learned from a Pro Wrestler
I am a founder of a tutoring company, I’m a former wrestling fan during my most awkward middle school years in the late ’80s, and I’m one of the millions of fans who will miss Hulk Hogan.
A Few Important Clarifications
First, I fully recognize that it might seem unconventional (even a little odd) for the owner of a tutoring company to write a blog post about a professional wrestler. On the surface, education and pro wrestling do not appear to have anything in common. Some might even find the connection inappropriate. But I must respectfully push back on that. The truth is, I learned some powerful lessons from watching pro wrestling as a kid, and I believe those lessons still apply today. And let’s be honest: many of our SuperTutors clients have kids who, at some point, probably went through a wrestling phase of their own, and for good reason. It’s compelling, it’s theatrical, and yes, it has something to teach us.
Second, Hulk Hogan and Terry Bollea are not the same person. Hulk Hogan was a pro wrestling character. Terry Bollea was the actor and real person behind the mustache. While Hulk Hogan became one of the most iconic figures in American pop culture, Terry Bollea’s life offstage was much more complicated, marked by scandal and controversy. And for the record, I disagreed with him in several ways.
Third, professional wrestling is a unique industry that does not get nearly enough credit for the talent it demands. Pro wrestlers are both athletes and actors. Most actors in film, television, or theater perform within a specific timeframe when the audience is invited to suspend disbelief. Once the curtain falls or the cameras stop, they go back to being themselves. Wrestlers, on the other hand, basically never have that luxury. They’re expected to stay in character not just in the ring, but during autograph signings, interviews, on social media, in line at the airport, and while driving down the highway in a rental car. (I’m looking at you, Jim Duggan and Iron Sheik.) The illusion that wrestling is “real” depends on this round-the-clock commitment. It’s a level of immersive performance that traditional actors rarely have to face.
Absolutely Unique
So, for Terry Bollea to become the greatest the industry ever saw is no small feat. What he did was absolutely, without question, one of a kind.
Let’s put Terry’s real life aside and just focus on what he created and how he performed as pro wrestler, because the truth of the matter is that Hulk Hogan is a character that taught me more than I expected about confidence, presence, resilience, and the art of reaching people.
Hulk Hogan was a spectacle: the booming voice, the yellow bandana, the mustache, the iconic entrance music, the catchphrases, and the perfectly timed comeback in every match. He would always summon the will to fight back, pointing his finger, flexing, and rallying the crowd before pulling off a dramatic win.
I’ve long since outgrown professional wrestling, but I’ve never forgotten those moments. Strangely enough, they've stuck with me and continue to occasionally motivate me. Thus, these are three of the biggest lessons that I learned through my pro wrestling teacher, Hulk Hogan:
1. You Can Still Be the Best Even With Major Flaws
Ironically, for all his fame, Hulk Hogan was not an especially talented wrestler in the traditional sense. He was not known for his agility or technical skill. He didn’t fly off the top rope or perform elaborate moves. His basic repertoire was the Big Boot, the Leg Drop, the Atomic Drop, the Clothesline, and most famously, the Body Slam. (His most famous was slamming André the Giant at WrestleMania III, which I watched live on Pay-Per-View at my friend’s apartment in the North End on March 29, 1987.)
But that didn’t stop him from being the biggest name in wrestling. He knew what his strengths were: charisma, showmanship, public speaking, being incredibly huge, and of course, marketing! He doubled down on every one of these strengths. This is something I always tell students that they can do as well. Students don’t have to be perfect in every area, but they do need to know their strengths, work hard, and maximize what they have.
2. Public Speaking Skills Matter
While Hulk Hogan was not known for his technical wrestling abilities, he was a master of the microphone. His real power came when he was throwing words, not punches. Hulk Hogan’s interviews and promos were pure theatrical energy. He shouted, he gestured, he flexed, he pointed directly into the camera, and he delivered every line like the fate of the free world depended on it. “Whatcha gonna do, brother?”, “Say your prayers and eat your vitamins”, “The power of Hulkamania will never die!”
This all became part of the cultural fabric. He could take a scripted promo and make it feel like a spontaneous rally cry for the masses. And no matter how many times he yelled the same phrases, he delivered them with such conviction that the crowd believed him. Every time. He never fumbled his lines. He never appeared unsure of what to say. Never.
I don’t speak to arenas. I speak to students, to parents, to educators. But I do need to hook attention fast, communicate clearly, and inspire action. Whether I’m helping a student understand algebra or coaching a tutor on how to structure a lesson, I also must command the space I’m in. Being a strong communicator isn’t optional in education. Great teachers speak with purpose, project with power, and make students believe.
3. Confidence Is Contagious
It does not matter that it was scripted, his confidence was extraordinary and unlike anything I ever saw. Think I’m exaggerating? Need proof? Hulk Hogan radiated self-belief so intensely that it caught fire around the world. He transformed pro wrestling from a niche regional circuit into a global entertainment empire. By 1987, programs featuring Hulk Hogan were syndicated in over 100 US markets. Annual revenue jumped from $5 million in 1983 to over $80 million just four years later, and WWF expanded its reach to more than 100 countries.
This kind of growth did not come from the Atomic Leg Drop or the Body Slam. It came from charisma, conviction, and creativity. And I’ll go a step further: his entrances were brilliantly calculated. Go back and watch how he used to walk up to the ring. Don’t focus on the music or the crowd. Watch his facial expressions. These reveal a deliberate strategy: to convey to the audience that his excitement at seeing them matched, if not exceeded, their excitement at seeing him. This produced a powerful emotional connection with his audience. By matching (or surpassing) their excitement, he made fans feel seen, valued, and energized. The result? Deep loyalty.
Why wouldn’t anyone want to model that energy? Why wouldn’t we, as educators and leaders, strive to carry ourselves with that same fire and sense of mission? Who’s to say SuperTutors can’t help revolutionize both the tutoring industry and the way society views and values great teaching?
Ring to Real Life
In the end, Hulk Hogan’s character wasn’t about brute force and aggression. It was about determination, presence, belief, and resilience. Those are the same traits that define great professionals. When we show up with energy, confidence, and clear communication, people respond. When tutors help students see that they don’t need to be perfect to be excellent, they start to believe in themselves.
So, whether you’re climbing into a wrestling ring, opening a math textbook, or marketing your tutoring company, the truth is the same: The dramatic comeback is always possible. When you speak with confidence and poise, people listen. And you don’t need to be flawless to win.
Terry, I didn’t always agree with you, and at times you let me down. But I’ll always be so grateful for Hulk Hogan. Thank you. Rest in peace, brother.