Resurfaced Clip Appears to Capture the First Time Hulk Hogan Ever Said ‘Hulkamania’

Long before Hulkamania ran wild across arenas worldwide, the phrase had to start somewhere — and a recently circulated video clip may have captured that exact moment.

A social media account known as The Lapsed Fan shared footage on X (formerly Twitter) that they believe documents the very first time the late WWE legend Hulk Hogan uttered the word “Hulkamania” in a promo. The clip has drawn attention not only for its historical significance within professional wrestling, but also because of what it reveals about the origins of Hogan’s famous ring name — namely, its connection to Marvel Comics.

The “Hulk” in Hulk Hogan was never an invention of the wrestling world on its own. Marvel Comics, the publisher behind the iconic green-skinned Incredible Hulk, had a stake in the name, and that relationship predates everything that would eventually make Hogan a global superstar. The early promo clip seemingly sits right at the intersection of those two worlds, offering a rare look at the moment a catchphrase that would define an entire era of professional wrestling was first spoken aloud.

For historians and fans of the business, footage like this carries real weight. Hulkamania became one of the most commercially powerful concepts in the history of sports entertainment, driving merchandise sales, pay-per-view buys, and mainstream crossover appeal throughout the 1980s and beyond. Pinpointing where it all began adds another layer to an already well-documented legacy.

The clip continues to generate discussion online as fans weigh in on its authenticity and significance as a piece of wrestling history.