I am a Hulkamaniac.

Hulk Hogan, who died Thursday at the age of 71, represented the ultimate good guy — in pro wrestling and in life.

He defended all that was good. Patriotism, fair play, doing what is right.

He was not only the greatest box office attraction in pro wrestling history, he was a worldwide pop culture sensation.

I remember seeing the Hulkster for the only time live in person in 1988. It was a Hanukkah gift from my parents to see Hulk Hogan take on the Big Boss Man at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

Hogan lived up to the hype. His entrance to the ring lit the fans up with crazy excitement. He ripped his t-shirt, withstood the attack of the 350-pound-plus Boss Man, and vanquished his foe with the boot-to-the-face/legdrop/pin combo.

What Made Hogan Unique

What made Hogan unique in a world full of colorful characters? He was the real-life embodiment of a comic book character and superhero performing right in front of you. Superman and Arnold Schwarzenegger never performed in Fresno — but Hulk Hogan did.

When he debuted in 1979, Hogan looked like few others — billed at 6′ 7″ and 303 pounds. He was larger and more muscular than all but a few. The wrestling psychology meant someone that big had to be a bad guy, and Hogan was.

His appearance in “Rocky III” as Thunderlips changed everything. Fans gravitated to Hogan and his natural charisma. He became a box office champ in America, Japan, and around the world.

Vince McMahon made the easy gamble to back Hogan as his face of a national pro wrestling expansion in 1984. Behind the large, tan and muscular star, WWF ran cards from coast-to-coast.

Hogan in Fresno

Hogan made his Fresno debut on Sept. 20, 1984, defeating loudmouth David Schultz. His June 19, 1986 match, taking on the behemoth King Kong Bundy, drew the largest non-concert Selland Arena crowd, the Fresno Bee reported at the time.

Hogan wrestled eight times for the WWF in Fresno, according to The History of WWE result-tracking website. He defeated such foes as Kamala, The One Man Gang, Randy Savage, Sgt. Slaughter, and Ric Flair.

His opponent came in four different categories – getting revenge on treacherous betrayal — see Savage or Paul Orndorff; fighting off a big monster — Andre the Giant, Zeus, and Earthquake come to mind; thwarting a foreign menace — America is Number-One, Iron Sheik!; or shutting up a loudmouth obnoxious heel, like Roddy Piper at the first WrestleMania.

Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III in 1987 is still the most famous pro wrestling match of all time. Hogan, squaring off with his one-time friend, drew record gates that are still the subject of myth today.

By the mid ’90s, Hogan got stale. He left the WWF for 1993, and wrestled for rival WCW a year later. What was the No.2 brand in wrestling became the leader thanks to Hulk.

Hogan revived his career in 1996, turning on the fans to become “Hollywood” Hogan, forming the new World order — a revolutionary bad-guy group that moved merchandise and ratings.

When Hogan returned to the WWF, it was mainly as a nostalgia act. But every appearance, excitement rose among fans.

The Hulk Hogan action figure and lunchbox started my fandom. Seeing him “fight for the rights of every man” — as his Rick Derringer-penned theme song said — made me love sports entertainment forever.