Wealthy Rosen, the proprietor of SLAM Sports activities Bar, spoke solely with The Blast about his unlikely friendship and enterprise partnership with wrestling legend Hulk Hogan.
Rosen by no means imagined {that a} childhood hero would someday assist him launch a flagship sports activities bar steps from Madison Sq. Backyard.
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Hulk Hogan’s SLAM Sports activities Bar Coming To NYC
The idea for SLAM started as a rebranding undertaking for a former strip membership close to the long-lasting area.
“I might been in branding for 25 years, working with nationwide franchises, however this location wanted a face,” Rosen recalled. Initially contemplating native sports activities legends like Mark Messier and Patrick Ewing, his thoughts stored going again to the person who outlined his early wrestling recollections. Hulk Hogan.
Rosen’s first assembly with Hogan wasn’t organized by brokers or managers; it occurred in individual.
He waited six hours at a fan autograph signing, bringing an 8×10 shiny picture of Madison Sq. Backyard along with his retailer within the body.
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The bar proprietor shared: “I dropped it in entrance of him and mentioned, ‘Does that area look acquainted?’ He mentioned, ‘It positive does, brother.’ Then I instructed him, ‘That is your own home. That is the place Hulkamania began.'”
Inside moments, Hogan leaned in and mentioned, “What is the deal?”
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The Beginning Of SLAM Sports activities Bar
Initially, the bar was set to open as “Scores Sports activities Bar,” however Hogan modified all the pieces throughout a web site go to.
“He referred to as me the subsequent morning and mentioned, ‘For those who put my identify on this, this would be the largest vacationer attraction in New York,'” Rosen recalled.
Whereas Hogan by no means requested Rosen to alter the identify, the bar proprietor needed a title worthy of the wrestling icon.
“Scores is its personal animal. I did not need it interfering along with his legend,” Rosen mentioned. Inside days, “SLAM” was born, formally billed as Hulk Hogan Presents SLAM Sports activities Bar.
When Hogan visited the situation along with his Netflix crew, his son Nick, and wrestling legend Eric Bischoff, the road exterior was chaos.
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“Sizzling canine distributors ran over, individuals have been yelling out of cabs,” Rosen mentioned, including, “Hulk Hogan was strolling in entrance of Madison Sq. Backyard a long time after WrestleMania. It was unbelievable.”
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Hulk Hogan’s Imaginative and prescient And Ultimate Venture
For Hogan, SLAM wasn’t simply one other enterprise. It was a dream.
“This was his final enterprise enterprise that hasn’t been accomplished,” Rosen instructed The Blast. Plans have been in movement to make SLAM greater than a bar, a full Hulk Hogan Expertise.
The inside design was entrusted to prime agency ICRAVE, with Hogan envisioning memorabilia shows, life-size statues, and a world growth.
Rosen famous: “He mentioned his model was etched in stone worldwide, and I feel that is apparent from the response to his passing.”
The partnership grew to become deeply private. Rosen spoke with Hogan shortly earlier than his loss of life.
“The very last thing he mentioned to me was, ‘I am again, brother. Give me a while. We’re making the large time again.’ He sounded good. He believed it,” the sports activities bar proprietor mentioned.
Now, the undertaking has change into a tribute. Followers from everywhere in the world are reaching out to attend the grand opening.
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Hogan’s Son Steps In
Hogan’s son, Nick, shortly made it clear he needed to assist perform his father’s imaginative and prescient.
“Nick is aware of higher than anybody what Hulk needed displayed there,” Rosen instructed The Blast. The gathering will embrace a few of Hogan’s most well-known ring gear, uncommon memorabilia, and big 6’7″ statues made abroad.
“The Exhausting Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood, this might be on that degree and extra,” Rosen promised.
Opening night time is predicted to function solely Hulk Hogan movies and matches, earlier than changing into a full sports activities bar with huge video games, themed menu gadgets, and cocktails impressed by the legend.
The menu itself might be developed by a Michelin-starred New York chef.
“We’ll have particular names for a number of the dishes and drinks, issues Hulk needed,” Rosen revealed.
Hulk Hogan’s Legacy Etched In New York Metropolis
For Rosen, SLAM will without end be tied to Hogan’s love for Madison Sq. Backyard and New York.
“He instructed me if there was anywhere he might dwell on this planet, it could be New York Metropolis. He beloved it his entire life,” Rosen claimed.
Hogan’s connection to the world was deep; he referred to as it “the home that he rebuilt” and noticed SLAM as its pure extension.
The flagship location will function Hogan’s “footprints” from his walk-through earlier than his passing. “
“Even when we open 10 of those, this one will all the time be particular. It is the true Hulk Hogan final cease in his unimaginable life and legacy,” Rosen mentioned.
The countdown to SLAM’s grand opening, which can happen someday this fall, begins now.
