A dream years in the making almost ended before it began. A New York nightlife veteran’s $7 million vision for a Hulk Hogan-themed sports bar nearly fell apart after the WWE icon’s death, but Nick Hogan has stepped in to make sure his father’s final project comes to life, as reported by Page Six.

Rich Rosen, a veteran of the city’s hospitality scene, told Page Six he was in disbelief when Hulk Hogan agreed to partner with him on Slam, a sprawling three-story sports bar set across from Madison Square Garden.

He called the location “the Hulkster’s spiritual home,” the place where the wrestling legend secured his legacy.

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Rosen said he first connected with Hogan through nothing more than persistence and a bold pitch.

In June 2025, he described how he waited in line for hours at an autograph signing just to get a few seconds to propose his idea.

“I basically waited five hours on line to get two seconds with Hulk Hogan,” he recalled.

“I came with an 8-by-11 glossy picture of Madison Square Garden, and in the picture is our [storefront].”

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Rosen continued that he told the superstar, “That’s my [storefront], that’s the Garden, and you’re my new partner.”

The unlikely meeting worked. Hogan agreed to collaborate, and the pair began planning the multimillion-dollar venue together.

But just as construction and preparations were gaining momentum, tragedy struck. The wrestling legend died of a heart attack that July at 71, leaving Rosen and investors stunned and unsure if Slam would ever open its doors.

“When I got the news, I was devastated,” Rosen told Page Six a year later. He said he feared the loss of Hogan might also spell the end of the project they built together.

However, the late wrestler’s son, Nick Hogan, chose to carry the torch. “It wasn’t even a question,” Nick told Page Six.

“This was always happening. If anything, it has a greater purpose now than ever.”

Rosen confirmed that after Hogan’s passing, Nick officially joined as vice president of American Sports Bar Entertainment.

In that role, he became the public face of the brand and the driving force behind realizing his father’s dream.

According to both men, Slam will serve as a tribute to Hulk Hogan’s career and energy, designed to capture the spectacle of wrestling fandom with a modern sports bar atmosphere.

The venue aims to be both a hangout spot for fans and a lasting homage to the late legend’s charisma.

Rosen described the partnership with Nick as both emotional and inspiring, saying it allowed the project to push forward with renewed meaning.

He credited the younger Hogan’s involvement for keeping the team motivated and focused.

Plans are now in motion for a grand opening scheduled later this year. Organizers are preparing a weeklong celebration, which Rosen and Nick say will honor the WWE champion’s larger-than-life personality and his lasting impact on the world of entertainment.

The team behind Slam hopes visitors will experience not only a premium sports destination but also the enduring presence of a figure who defined generations of wrestling fans.

Both Rosen and Nick emphasized that the bar’s mission now extends beyond business, serving as a living tribute to the Hulkster himself.

For fans who grew up idolizing Hogan’s persona, the project stands as one final show of strength — a symbolic comeback from the edge of defeat.

And with Nick Hogan commanding the next round, Slam appears ready to step into the spotlight at last.

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