Avenged Sevenfold frontman M. Shadows recently paid tribute to wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who has died at the age of 71. He acknowledged Hogan’s impact on professional wrestling despite ongoing controversies surrounding the icon, in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter).
The tribute focused on Hogan’s transformative influence on the wrestling industry and M. Shadows’ personal interactions with the wrestling star.
“Say what you want, but he truly changed the game,” M. Shadows said. “When I was able to interact with him, he was kind and engaging.”
The musician continued to praise Hogan’s most memorable wrestling persona and era.
“Hollywood Hogan, NWO… the greatest era of pro wrestling of all time,” he continued. “Thanks for the childhood.”
M. Shadows’ tribute reflects the complex legacy of one of wrestling’s most polarizing figures. Hogan’s career achievements remain undeniable despite personal controversies.
Hogan’s wrestling credentials support M. Shadows’ assessment of his game-changing impact. The Smackdown Hotel documented that Hogan is a 12-time world champion across WWF/WWE and WCW, establishing him as one of the most successful wrestlers in history. His mainstream appeal reached unprecedented heights when Times of India reported that his 1988 match against Andre the Giant drew 33 million viewers on NBC. This made it the most-watched wrestling event in US television history.
The New World Order era that M. Shadows specifically praised represents a pivotal moment in wrestling history. Pro Wrestling Fandom noted that Hogan’s transformation into “Hollywood Hogan” and his leadership of the NWO faction helped revitalize professional wrestling during the Monday Night Wars of the 1990s. This heel turn shocked fans worldwide and demonstrated Hogan’s ability to reinvent himself after decades as wrestling’s top hero.
Hogan’s influence on the industry has been formally recognized through multiple honors. The Smackdown Hotel confirmed that he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame both individually in 2005 and as part of the New World Order group in 2020. This cemented his dual legacy as both a solo performer and faction leader.
