Hulk Hogan to speak at RNC ahead of Trump

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan is slated to speak at the Republican National Convention on Thursday, ahead of former President Trump’s speech formally accepting his party’s nomination for president, The Hill has confirmed.

Hogan — an ’80s wrestling icon known for dramatically ripping off his shirt as he entered the ring — is among several figures from the wrestling world who are set to speak at the final day of the convention, setting up Trump’s own highly anticipated speech.

On each night of the convention this week, Trump has walked out a red-carpeted hallway entrance onto the convention floor as music has played, similar to the way wrestlers enter arenas before a match. A large bandage has been taped to the side of his head after a bullet grazed him in an assassination attempt less than a week ago.

Trump’s speech Thursday evening will mark his first public address since the shooting Saturday that abruptly cut his speech short at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The former president’s ear was bloodied by a bullet before Secret Service agents rushed him off stage. One attendee at the rally was killed, while two others were wounded and the shooter was killed by Secret Service countersnipers.

Other figures from the wrestling and combat sports worlds are slated to speak at the convention Thursday, including Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White and Linda McMahon, who co-founded WWE with her husband, Vince McMahon, and who served as Trump’s small business administrator during his first term.

Hogan has himself previously toyed with a political run and even said earlier this year that he would consider entering the political ring if he’s asked to do so.

“Hey, you never know,” Hogan said in a NewsNation interview in June when asked if he could take up a role at the White House. “Right now, I’d make a great vice president, brother, because I do have common sense. I do know right from wrong.”

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), a close ally of Trump’s, earlier this week said Trump’s anticipated return to the stage following the assassination attempt is “gonna be Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania.”

“I think people’s mind is really that divine providence was on the shoulder of President Trump, and what it has done is, I think it’s even given this convention more energy, more resolve,” Donalds said following the shooting.

“When he hits the stage, whenever that’s gonna be — just watch out,” he added.