On March 1, 2026, Logan Paul narrowly missed winning a heated bidding war for Hulk Hogan’s famous wrestling boots, valued at over $1 million. The auction, which lasted late into the night, saw Paul competing for the boots worn by Hogan during WrestleMania I at Madison Square Garden in 1985, a key piece of WWE history. Despite his strong financial standing, Paul ultimately conceded after placing a final bid of $1,021,000, falling short to an undisclosed winner in the collector’s market.
Logan Paul’s loss comes shortly after his recent success in WWE, where he earned a spot in the Men’s WWE Elimination Chamber match by defeating Jacob Fatu on WWE SmackDown. On February 28, Paul began the match dominantly, eliminating three competitors before being eliminated himself by the returning Seth Rollins. The high-profile defeat was followed by a restless night, spent wrestling with the disappointment of both the loss in the ring and in the auction.
The Historical Importance of Hulk Hogan’s WrestleMania I Boots
The boots in question hold significant historical value as they were worn by Hulk Hogan, the reigning WWF World Heavyweight Champion, during WrestleMania I, held on March 31, 1985. Hogan headlined the event in a tag team main event alongside celebrity Mr. T, facing off against ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper and ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Paul Orndorff. The auctioned boots came with an inscription from Hogan himself, confirming their authenticity and noting his
“real blood on them from MSG”
— Madison Square Garden being the iconic venue for the event.
Hogan, who tragically passed away in Clearwater, Florida on July 24, 2025, aged 71, is remembered as a cultural and sports icon. He had recently appeared on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast in September 2024, deepening their personal connection. After Hogan’s death, Paul expressed his respect and admiration through social media, highlighting Hogan’s lasting influence.
Hulk’s existence will leave an everlasting ripple effect on sports & culture. He’s shaped the universe that I now call home, and I’m so grateful for the time I got to spend with him. RIP Legend.
?Logan Paul, YouTuber and WWE Star
Logan Paul’s Bidding Battle: A Night of Frustration and Respect
According to Paul’s own account, he stayed awake until 2 a.m., engaged in a fierce bidding contest aimed at acquiring the boots. Despite the rising stakes, he finally acknowledged defeat with a message that reflected both respect and disappointment.
Stayed up until 2 am in a bidding war trying to win Hulk Hogan’s worn & signed boots from WrestleMania I,
?Logan Paul, Twitter post
The inscription read ‘These are my real boots with my real blood on them from MSG, Hulk Hogan.’ I tapped out at $1,021,000. Gg to the winner.
?Logan Paul, Twitter post
The term “Gg” here, shorthand for “good game,” underscores Paul’s graceful concession despite the intensity and investment of the late-night auction.
Paul’s Recent Achievement in the Collectibles Market
While Paul lost the bid for Hogan’s boots, he recently marked a significant accomplishment as a seller in the collectibles space. He sold an ultra-rare Pokémon Pikachu Illustrator card for a staggering $16.492 million at Goldin Auctions, establishing a new world record for the highest price paid for a trading card. This card is one of only 39 created in the late 1990s for a Pokémon illustration contest, widely regarded as the ultimate prize among collectors.
Paul originally purchased the PSA Grade 10 card for $5.275 million in 2021, and after 42 days of auctioning and extended bidding, he netted a profit exceeding $8 million after fees. During the live reaction to the final bid, Paul expressed his shock and excitement.
Oh my gosh, this is crazy,
?Logan Paul, live auction reaction
goodbye, my friend. What a privilege it’s been.
?Logan Paul, Instagram post
Examining the Value of Wrestling Memorabilia in Today’s Market
The fierce competition for Hulk Hogan’s boots highlights the growing demand and value of sports and wrestling memorabilia, especially items linked to cultural icons and historic moments. Hogan’s legacy as the WWF World Heavyweight Champion and his role in elevating professional wrestling into mainstream entertainment have cemented his artifacts as prized collector’s pieces. The boots’ personal connection to a landmark event like WrestleMania I and the dramatic detail of Hogan’s own inscription add layers of emotional and historical worth.
Though Logan Paul possessed the financial capability to secure the boots, his decision not to exceed the $1 million bid reflects the complex considerations collectors weigh when investing in memorabilia. It also suggests the high bar set by other collectors in the market for wrestling artifacts continues to rise.
The Broader Impact on Logan Paul’s Wrestling and Collector Persona
Logan Paul’s public journey through the bidding war, coupled with his recent wrestling endeavors, paints a portrait of an individual who operates at the intersection of pop culture, sports entertainment, and high-stakes collecting. His tribute to Hulk Hogan after the wrestler’s passing and his very public participation in auctions reflect a deep respect for wrestling history, as well as an ambition to contribute to its ongoing narrative.
As WWE continues to grow and the memorabilia market expands, public figures like Paul bring fresh attention to legendary talents and historic items. The story of the Hogan boots auction will likely influence future collectors and fans alike, keeping the memory and value of wrestling greats alive in the public consciousness.
Stayed up until 2am in a bidding war trying to win Hulk Hogan’s worn & signed boots from Wrestlemania 1
The inscription read “These are my real boots with my real blood on them from MSG, Hulk Hogan.”
I tapped out at $1,021,000. Gg to the winner pic.twitter.com/bhZHvEqFB5
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) March 1, 2026
