You know what I’m talking about. You listen to something as a joke. Show your friends, family, co-workers. Everyone has a laugh. You laugh every time. The absurdity that this music EXISTS at all fills you with joy. But it doesn’t end there, does it? You tell yourself you just want to fully dissect the insanity hidden inside this album. Let’s do another listen. Maybe there are other tracks that equally comical. Then another.

Now you’ve listened to it 10+ times by yourself. In your car. With your earbuds. Doesn’t matter. You’re not telling anyone about your shame cycle. You are KGB level secrecy. Maybe you listen to it again with others. You ask them “Remember how bad this album was?” You sit there actively insulting it but you’re happy it’s playing. You actually…like it.

That’s what this short review is about. Times where a joke listen spiraled out of control. A glimpse into my life experience as an obsessive music fan always looking for their next fix.

Hulk Hogan & the Wrestling Boot Band’s Hulk Rules (1995)

Oh Hulkster. Such a huge part of my childhood. I vividly remember you slamming Andre the Giant in the Silverdome. The unstoppable force vs. the immovable object. R.I.P. to you both. You paved the way for so many others. Wait? Hulk Hogan’s not dead? I just assumed he was. My bad. Well, good job not dying, Mr. Hogan.

Peak Cringe Track: Hulkster in Heaven
I know. I get it. This track is about one of Hogan’s young fan dying during a match. It’s a tragic story. How dare I pick on this song? Well. Here’s the thing. Maybe his heart was in the right place. Maybe it wasn’t. I don’t know. You don’t know. But it’s narcissistic as hell. The kid died and the nearly 5 minute song is all about Hulk Hogan. So much you would think he died. As we covered earlier, he is definitely not dead. And this is definitely how you DON’T make a tribute song. There are of course numerous right ways. I can’t understand how it got on the album without a huge rewrite of the lyrics. This song literally makes him look so incredibly conceited.

Peak Hilarity Track: Hulkster’s Back
Hulk is rapping like it’s 1986 but it’s 1995. It’s such a wonderfully ridiculous song. He can’t rap but he is really trying. Reminds me when I was a kid and boomers would tell me that rapping was just talking. Singing takes real talent they said. Anybody can rap. And to that I say no. The chorus is equally comical with “Hey check out the pythons, baby” but no gun show though.

Peak Peak Track: American Made
There really isn’t anymore to say here. They used it as a theme song for Hogan in WCW. That puts it right up there with Real American. People enjoy this song and look back on it fondly without any irony whatsoever. If you’re a Jimmy Buffett fan, maybe you would score Wrestling Boot Traveling Band higher. But I’m not so I don’t.

Closing Thoughts: Is it worth a listen? Yes, if you were a Hulk Hogan fan as a kid. No, if you never watched this man rip his shirt in half while covered in sweat then drop a boot on another equally sweaty man to win a wrestling match. Just curious? Be careful. It may slam you from behind with a chair that’s been hidden under the ring the entire time.