Hulk Hogan WrestleMania IX Boots Set ALL-Time Public Sale Record

Part of the Market Records & Milestones series.

A New King at the Top of the Market

In December 2025, the hierarchy of wrestling collectibles changed decisively. Hulk Hogan’s match-used boots from WrestleMania IX sold publicly for $140,300, establishing a new benchmark as the highest public sale price ever achieved for a Hulk Hogan item.

In doing so, the boots surpassed the previous record-holder: Hogan’s 1982 Wrestling All-Stars card, which sold publicly in 2024 for over $130,000. That card—long considered the crown jewel of Hogan’s cardboard legacy—had defined the ceiling for Hogan collectibles for more than a year.

The passing of that mark signals a clear shift in the market. While elite cards remain foundational, true match-used artifacts from historic moments now sit firmly at the top.

WrestleMania IX trading card featuring Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake during their 1993 match.

WrestleMania IX collectible depicting Hulk Hogan and Ted Dibiase during the April 4, 1993 event at Caesars Palace.

At a Glance

  • Item: Hulk Hogan match-used wrestling boots

  • Event: WrestleMania IX

  • Date Worn: April 4, 1993

  • Venue: Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada

  • Match Context: Hogan & Brutus Beefcake vs. Money Inc.; later worn during Hogan’s WWE Championship victory over Yokozuna

  • Signatures: Hulk Hogan (twice signed, inscribed “To My #1 Hulkster”)

  • Authentication: WWE LOA (Gerry Brisco), WWE Archivist LOA (Benjamin Brown), JSA LOA (signatures)

  • Exhibited: WWE Museum, Stamford, Connecticut

  • Final Sale Price: $140,300 (buyer’s premium included)

  • Record: Highest public sale price ever for any Hulk Hogan collectible

WrestleMania IX: Context That Carries Weight

The yellow leather boots were worn by WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania IX, held at Caesars Palace in Paradise, Nevada. That evening, Hogan teamed with Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake as The Mega Maniacs to challenge Money Inc. (Ted DiBiase and Irwin R. Schyster) for the WWE Tag Team Championships, accompanied by Jimmy Hart.

Although the tag team match ended in defeat, the night’s legacy was far from complete. Later in the broadcast, following Yokozuna’s WWE Championship victory over Bret Hart, Hogan answered an impromptu challenge and defeated Yokozuna in approximately 22 seconds, reclaiming the WWE Heavyweight Championship in one of the most controversial and memorable title changes in WrestleMania history.

These boots are inseparably linked to that sequence of events, anchoring them to one of the most discussed nights in professional wrestling.

July 1993 WWF Magazine featuring Hulk Hogan after he won the title off Yokozuna.

July 1993 WWF magazine depicting Hulk Hogan after he beat Yokozuna in 22 seconds at WrestleMania IX.

Definitive Match Use

The boots exhibit unmistakable evidence of authentic in-ring use:

  • Heavy creasing and scuffing throughout the leather

  • Stained interiors and significantly worn laces

  • Pronounced wear to the soles

  • Chipping and material loss at the toes and upper portions

  • Substantial age- and use-related damage to the boot tongues

Their condition aligns precisely with prolonged professional use, reinforcing their classification as true match-worn artifacts rather than ceremonial or promotional items.

Signed, Inscribed, and Museum Proven

Hogan personally signed and inscribed each boot in black marker with the message:

“To My #1 Hulkster”

The boots were later displayed at the WWE Museum in Stamford, Connecticut, elevating them from collectible to museum-grade historical artifact.

Provenance at the Highest Level

Authentication and provenance are supported by exceptional documentation:

  • Letter of Authenticity from WWE Hall of Famer Gerry Brisco, stating he obtained the boots directly from Hogan and retained possession of them until 2023

  • Letter of Authenticity from WWE archivist Benjamin Brown, confirming historical authenticity

  • JSA Letter of Authenticity verifying the signatures and inscriptions

Few wrestling items offered publicly have been accompanied by provenance of this depth and continuity.

What the Record Means

The replacement of the 1982 Wrestling All-Stars card by these boots marks an inflection point in the hobby. It demonstrates that while iconic cards remain vital, the market increasingly rewards singular, match-used artifacts tied to championship moments.

For collectors and historians alike, the message is clear: Hulk Hogan continues to define the upper boundary of wrestling memorabilia values.

The King of Wrestling Collectibles

With this sale, Hulk Hogan not only reclaimed the top spot—he expanded it. The King of Wrestling Collectibles now holds the two highest public sales in Hogan history, spanning both cardboard and game-used artifacts.

The crown remains firmly in place. And once again, the market has confirmed what wrestling history has long shown:

No name commands value, attention, or legacy like Hulk Hogan.

Sources: Goldin auction listing, WWE historical records

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