In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Joseph Yoo for a "wellness check" following the death of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, a shared childhood hero. They explore the complex emotions of mourning a figure they once idolized, grappling with the stark contrast between Hogan's heroic on-screen persona and the flawed, often controversial, reality of the man, Terry Bollea. The discussion delves into the power of nostalgia, the nature of parasocial relationships with celebrities, and the difficulty of reconciling a beloved character with a problematic individual. They reflect on how wrestling's simplified good-versus-evil narratives shaped their youth and compare the fervor of "Hulkamania" to a form of religious belief, ultimately concluding that their grief was for the loss of the character and the significant part of their childhood he represented.
Joseph Yoo is the priest of Mosaic Episcopal church in Houston. You can visit https://linktr.ee/JosephYoo to connect with him.