A New York hospitality veteran’s dream project and $7 million investment nearly cost him his life along with Hulk Hogan.
However, Page Six has heard that the late Hulkster’s son, Nick Hogan, has taken to the ring to give fans a final vision of his father.
Rich Rosen, a longtime New York nightlife veteran, told Page Six in June 2025 that he was overwhelmed with joy and disbelief when Hogan agreed to partner at Slam, the massive three-story sports bar directly across from Madison Square Garden. It’s the Hulkster’s spiritual home and the place where his legend was cemented.
We reported at the time that Rosen had purchased tickets to the autograph session in order to make a bold pitch to the superstar.
“I basically waited online for five hours to see Hulk Hogan for two seconds,” Rosen said. “I brought an 8-by-11 glossy photo of Madison Square Garden, and that’s our storefront in the picture,” he said, telling Hogan, “That’s me (the storefront), that’s the garden, and you’re my new partner.”
But just as the multi-million dollar launch was about to roar, tragedy struck. Hogan died of a heart attack in July of the same year at the age of 71. Fans and investors wondered if Slam would be able to save the day in the first round.
“When I heard the news, I was devastated,” Rosen told Page Six a year later.
But Slam wasn’t ready to tap out.
Nick rose to fulfill his father’s vision. “It wasn’t even a question,” the Hulk kid told Page Six this week. “This has always been happening. If anything, we have a greater purpose now than ever before.”
After Hogan’s death, Rosen appointed Nick vice president of American Sports Bar Entertainment, making him the public face of the brand.
A week-long grand opening is planned for later this year, and Rosen and Nick are promising a celebration worthy of a WWE legend.
