Many were saddened by the sudden death of wrestling and pop culture icon Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea on Thursday. Dallas Cowboys legendary quarterback, broadcaster and Hall of Famer Troy Aikman was no exception.

It's hard to overstate just how violent and commie-hating American pop culture was in the 1980s. The late wrestler was among its biggest stars.

With his red and yellow wrestling attire, bleached mustache and custom of ripping his shirt open, Hogan ascended alongside the then-WWF.

Today marks Hulk Hogan’s 63rd birthday. Few men or women in the history of professional wrestling have been pop culture mainstays on the level that Hogan has, for as long as he has.