Sami Zayn Remembers Late WWE HOFer Hulk Hogan: 'He Was My Favorite When I Was A Kid'

Since the shocking death of Hulk Hogan last month, performers from around the professional wrestling industry have been sharing their thoughts on the controversial icon across interviews and social media. WWE's Sami Zayn recently sat down for a chat with the Toronto Sun and was asked to discuss Hogan and his legacy, with Zayn focusing on his positive memories of the late star.

"Undoubtedly, he was my favorite when I was a kid," Zayn stated. "My earliest memories were really watching [wrestling] with my dad, and I just have this vivid image of Hulk Hogan after a match, sweaty and maybe bloodied. He had just gone through so much, and then just all the poses and the adulation out of the crowd. I think that spectacle is what really drew me into wrestling to begin with, so he was my guy as early as I knew wrestling."

Zayn did admit that he has other, more complicated feelings about Hogan, but the WWE star said he didn't want to "burden anyone" by sharing those thoughts. Still, if it wasn't for Hogan, Zayn isn't sure if he'd be a professional wrestler today. Hogan's impact on wrestling might not be as evident to younger fans, but Zayn saw firsthand the impact that the WWE Hall of Famer had on the industry during his career.

Hogan rose to massive stardom over the course of the 1980s, becoming a household name and helping to push the industry to new heights of popularity. In the 1990s, he joined WCW and later turned heel, playing a key role in ushering in a rebellious new era of wrestling. However, Hogan's later years were marred by controversy, with a leaked sex tape featuring a racist tirade casting a long shadow over his reputation.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit the Toronto Sun with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.