Hulk Hogan visited Water Street Tavern to promote his “Real American Beer” on Tuesday as part of his tour across Ohio.
Tori Baliman, Water Street marketing manager, said she enjoyed watching fans show up to see the former WWE superstar.
“It was pretty crazy to see people lined up all the way down Water Street,” she said. “The entire block was filled. There are people who were waiting for three hours to come in.”
Hogan, whose real name is Terry Eugene Bollea, arrived at the downtown Kent bar just after 7 p.m.
One spectator, Erika Dallas, traveled from Cleveland to see Hogan.
“He’s got the funniest catch phrases, and he’s one of the funniest wrestlers I’ve seen,” Dallas said.
Another Cleveland resident, Francisco Lopez, also traveled to Kent for a chance to see the former wrestler.
“He’s one of the greatest,” Lopez said. “He’s the most famous wrestler of all time.”
Hogan announced his tour across Ohio over Instagram Thursday, Aug. 15.
Water Street Tavern owner Mike Beder said one of Hogan’s business partners, who attended Kent State for two years, reached out to include the bar in the tour.
“It was very exciting, very hectic,” Beder said. “It was very surreal to see a figure you’ve seen on TV and news for so many years right in front of you.”
Beder said he was concerned that Hogan’s recent political activities would make the event political in nature. Hogan appeared at the 2024 Republican National Convention on July 18, endorsing former President Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election.
“I’m able to separate the iconic character of Hulk Hogan with Terry Bollea, the person who portrays Hulk Hogan,” Beder said. “I would hope that people realize that people who showed up for this, it wasn’t for political reason. It was because they were fans of that character.”
The tour has gained some controversy after Hogan joked that he wanted to “body slam Kamala Harris” and questioned her racial identity during a stop in Medina, Ohio, according to video obtained by TMZ. During that same visit, a 50-year-old woman was injured after she was struck by a beer can, according to police.
Hogan’s next stop is 7 p.m. Wednesday at Ethyl and Tank, located at 19 E. 13th Ave. in Columbus, Ohio.
Michael Neenan is a newscast reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
