Hulk Hogan’s Big Apple Franchise Is Business As Usual

Hulk Hogan’s dream of opening his bar opposite Madison Square Garden (MSG) remains a valid one.

The former wrestler’s partner confirmed that, despite his sudden death, plans are underway to establish and launch his $7 million venture in no time.

Hulk Hogan passed away on Thursday after emergency responders transported him to a hospital from his Florida home, where he had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Hulk’s partner on the seven-figure bar project, which would be called “Slam,” affirmed that the plans had not changed from the wrestler’s initial dream to make it the “greatest sports entertainment venue New York has ever seen.”

Rich Rosen noted that when completed, the venue will carry the indelible spirit of Hulkamania and everything Hulk believed in, especially the American dream, fueled by patriotism.

He acknowledged how much effort Hulk put into the project up until his unfortunate passing; a momentum he would maintain until the doors flung open.

“He shaped the spirit of what Slam was meant to be, a place where fans from around the world could gather at the very corner…to celebrate his legacy and the unforgettable moments that defined his career,” the club expert shared.

According to Page Six, “Slam” will feature Hulk’s greatest wrestling moments on the screens and will have his beer brand, Real American Beer, on the menu for the guests’ pleasure.

“Slam” will open its doors to customers this fall, and Rich previously clarified that the reason for the dispute between him and the wrestling legend was to obtain a license to use his name.

Madison Square Garden was a significant venue in Hulk’s professional history, where he delivered some of his iconic performances in the wrestling ring and won his first WWE championship belt. 

Hence, Rich shared that when he spotted the place where “Slam” now sits (8th Avenue and the corner of 31st Street), he knew Hulk was perfect to bring on his team.

The New York nightlife veteran recalled standing in line for a very long time to pitch the plan to the late Hulk under the guise of signing an autograph. In his words:

“I came with a glossy picture of Madison Square Garden, and in the picture is our storefront… I walked up to Hulk, and I dropped the picture in front of him. That’s my storefront, that’s the Garden, and you’re my new partner.”[sic]

Rich’s brilliant plan worked, and a few days later, the former wrestler called him to talk business. Indoors, “Slam” is reportedly designed to bear a striking resemblance to MSG, with a Jumbotron as an added accessory.

The bar is not the only thing Hulk has going on for him. As shared by Fortune, his beer company was about to close a deal with Hooters before he passed away on Thursday. 

The Real American Beer brand reportedly made a move to acquire Hooters in June, not only to buy the company’s intellectual property but also to purchase all 400 of its locations worldwide.

Real American Beer brand move came after Hooters filed for bankruptcy last month, with the company describing the proposed sale as an opportunity to grow “under a pure franchise business model.”

Hooters and Hogan have previously collaborated on business ventures, as the restaurant was one of the first to serve the beer in their chain.

Terri Francis, CEO of Hulk’s Real American Beer, affirmed that despite his demise, the company will do its best to seal the deal with Hooters and fulfill Hulk’s desire to make it a member of the “Real American Family.”

Hulk passed away with a reported net worth of $25 million, as shared by The Economic Times. The sum reflected his earnings from wrestling, acting, brand endorsement deals, and a juicy lawsuit that paid him a hefty sum in damages.

The 71-year-old bagged a $140 million win in a lawsuit against a website that released a private video of him. After tax deductions and settlement reductions, the former entertainer walked away with about $31 million.

The star earned approximately $2.5 million in annual income from his contracts, business ventures, and endorsements, which ranged from snacks to licensing companies.

However, his net worth declined after his divorce from his estranged wife, Linda Hogan, which resulted in him losing 70% of their joint liquid assets, $3 million in cash, and a 40% ownership stake in his businesses.

The former entertainer reportedly experienced severe symptoms from his bad heart weeks and days leading up to his death. He lost a lot of weight, battled with shortness of breath, and was on oxygen before he finally succumbed to cardiac arrest.

The Blast shared that medics reportedly rushed to his home following a panic call and attempted to save his life by performing an urgent CPR while making their way into an awaiting ambulance.

The vehicle made its way to the Morton Plant Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead at about 11:17 am. Hulk was reportedly estranged from his daughter, Brooke Hogan, before his death, and she only got to know he was dead when her brother, Nick, informed her husband.

Hulk and Brooke reportedly last spoke in 2023, with Brooke noting her concerns about his health and advising him to slow down.

Hulk Hogan’s legacy is definitely in safe hands.