‘One of my most memorable matches’ | Glenn Jacobs shares his favorite memory with Hulk Hogan

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, also known as the WWE superstar Kane, talked about Hulk Hogan’s impact following Hogan’s passing on Thursday.

Previous Coverage: Hulk Hogan, professional wrestling icon, dies at 71

“He had widespread mainstream appeal, and he was the guy that really took wrestling from being sort of niche entertainment to very mainstream, and that opened up doors for people like me and opportunities for folks like me,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs said for a wrestler to achieve what he has done in politics wouldn’t have been possible without Hogan.

“You think about people like Dwayne the Rock Johnson, John Cena and others who have been able to use their wrestling career as a platform to do other things. I’ve done it somewhat in politics, and that wouldn’t have been possible years ago because there was this big stereotype about wrestling and again, it was a niche sport and niche entertainment. Now since it has such mainstream appeal, we’re just considered actors and celebrities to some extent and it really has eliminated that stigma and open up some doors that we would have had before,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs shared how his one match with Hogan was an important one for him.

“That wasn’t one of his most memorable matches, but it certainly was one of my most memorable matches,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs also spoke about Hogan’s impact on the popularization of professional wrestling. “I think he was the first wrestler to achieve widespread mainstream appeal, and I don’t think there’s ever going to be anyone who is able to do that to the extent that he did again.”

Jacobs said Hogan meant a lot to him and other children growing up.

“He was like a role model that that helped you think you could overcome anything if you just put your mind to it, if you were determined enough to do that,” said Jacobs.