Did Hulk Hogan Really Wrestle in Lafayette Before WWE Fame? Local Fans Say Yes

(Lafayette, Louisiana) - A photo shared on social media reportedly shows a young Hulk Hogan walking out for a match in the Blackhem Coliseum in Lafayette.

Daryl Lanclos shared this photo of Hogan after it was announced that the iconic pro wrestler died on Thursday, July 24, 2025. As you will see below, Hogan is seen walking out from behind the curtain, and you can see the letters U.S.L. behind him.

How Did Hulk Hogan Die

The American icon died in a Florida hospital after paramedics rushed to his home on July 24 after he went into cardiac arrest. Reports indicate that paramedics worked on Hogan for 30 minutes to revive him, but were unsuccessful.

Now, let's get back to the night that Hulk Hogan reportedly competed in the venue in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Did Hulk Hogan wrestle in the Blacham Coliseum before he made it to WWE in 1983?

Another wrestling fan, Jonathon Duke, shared Lanclos' photo, and he says the picture of Hogan in the Blackham Coliseum was taken in 1980. He'd add in his social media post that Hogan took on Wahoo McDaniel that night.

Were you there in 1980 when Hogan reportedly walked out and competed in the historic Lafayette venue? If so, we'd love to hear from you.

While some may dispute that Hogan wrestled in his early years in Lafayette, it's undeniable that the Hulkster made a few appearances in the Cajundome while working for WWE and WCW.

Here's a video of the Immortal Hulk Hogan walking into the Cajundome during a LIVE WWE show.

Now, here's Hogan's debut in WWE, but he did not officially sign with the organization until 1983.