Hulk Hogan’s $7 million bar opposite Madison Square Garden will still open despite the wrestling legend’s death, Page Six has exclusively learned.
We previously reported that Hogan planned to open a 9,000-square-foot space — to be called Slam — across from the arena where he made his WWE debut in 1979, among other career highlights.
The WWE star died Thursday at the age of 71, before he ever got to see the doors to the exciting establishment open. However, New York nightlife vet Rich Rosen — who was partnering with Hogan on Slam — tells Page Six that he still plans to move forward with the bar in honor of the sports legend.
“Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a partner. He was a dear friend and a legend whose impact on sports and entertainment is immeasurable. From the very beginning, Hulk poured his heart into this project,” Rosen explained.
“He shaped the spirit of what Slam was meant to be, a place where fans from around the world could gather at the very corner where his legend began, to celebrate his legacy and the unforgettable moments that defined his career.”
Hogan’s pal and business partner went on to say that he “made a promise” to the professional wrestler to “bring this dream” to life.
“That promise remains unshakable. Slam will open its doors as a living tribute to Hulk Hogan, right across from Madison Square Garden, the place he called home,” Rosen shared. “It will be the greatest sports entertainment venue New York has ever seen. This is for Hulk, and for every person whose life was touched by the power of Hulkamania.”
The space will be filled with Hogan memorabilia and will have screens playing the wrestling champion’s greatest moments, we previously reported. It’ll also serve Hogan’s own beer brand, Real American Beer.
Hogan had been expected to be a regular at the spot, which is being decked out to look like the inside of the famed arena, complete with a Jumbotron.
Rosen previously told Page Six in June that when he found the venue at 8th Avenue and the corner of 31st Street, he sought out the wrestler because of his storied connection to MSG. He even went so far as to attend an autograph signing just to pitch the idea to the Hulkster himself!
“I basically waited five hours in line to get two seconds with Hulk Hogan,” Rosen recalled. “I came with [a] glossy picture of Madison Square Garden, and in the picture is our [storefront]… I walked up to Hulk, I dropped the picture in front of him.”
Rosen pointed out the bar in the pic and said to Hogan, “That’s my [storefront], that’s the Garden, and you’re my new partner.”
He told Page Six that he handed the wrestling star his card — and Hogan called him four days later.
The planned establishment, which has three floors including a rooftop bar, is slated to open this fall.
Rosen previously said that Hogan did not have direct ownership in the project — but that the deal was for a licensing pact allowing the bar to use his famous name.
Hogan already had his own bar, Hogan’s Hangout, in Clearwater, Fla., where he lived.
Page Six reported earlier this week that Clearwater Fire & Rescue and Clearwater Police were dispatched to the wrestling legend’s home late Thursday morning in response to a call about a cardiac arrest. Hogan was treated at the scene before being transported via ambulance to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.