Episode 46: What Hulk Hogan Meant to Us

In this episode of Put Your Funny Where Your Mouth Is, Vince Carone and Dobie Maxwell pay tribute to the larger-than-life legend: Hulk Hogan, after news of his passing. But this isn’t just a tribute episode. It’s a heartfelt and hilarious look at how one spandex-wearing, mustache-rocking, catchphrase-slinging icon defined an entire generation’s idea of strength, charisma, and ridiculous entertainment.

Vince opens up about growing up during the peak of Hulkamania—and how his over-the-top energy as a comic today might just trace back to ripping a shirt in front of the mirror as a kid. Dobie brings the old-school lens of wrestling's early days, sharing how Hulk transformed a gritty, niche circuit into global pop culture.

While Hogan’s legacy isn’t without controversy, what he represented to millions of kids in the '80s and '90s, including us, was something bigger than the man himself. In this episode, we celebrate, mourn, and roast our hero with love, gratitude, and just enough absurdity to do the man justice. This one’s for the little Hulkamaniac in all of us.

Key Points Discussed:

• How Hulk Hogan shaped Vince’s childhood identity and performance style
• Dobie’s take on wrestling before it became mainstream
• The impact of Hogan as a cultural icon—not just a wrestler
• How losing a childhood hero hits differently as an adult
• The link between early heroes and comedic persona
• Stories about over-the-top wrestling promos, fan culture, and idol worship
• Why absurdity and greatness often go hand in hand