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Number 4 on the list of the greatest wrestlers of all time is the irresistible force, Hulk Hogan. Hulk Hogan is probably the most recognizable wrestling figure of all time. He headlined premier events for WCW and WWE, being a major box office draw for both promotions. Hogan headlined WrestleMania a record 8 times and Starrcade 3 times. Another record held by Hogan is being the main event at five WrestleManias in a row. Here, I make the case for Hogan’s spot on my top list.
Early Days
Hogan’s early career in professional wrestling started with an interest at the age of 16. Hogan originally was poised to play baseball, but after an injury, his baseball beginnings quickly ended. He started watching professional wrestling and revered Dusty Rhodes and Superstar Billy Graham. Hogan attended college studying, but dropped out before receiving a degree due to his interest in music. Between gigs with a band called Ruckus, Hogan worked out at Hector’s Gym where he began lifting. Many wrestlers in the Florida area visited bars were Ruckus would perform. Jack and Gerald Brisco were two wrestlers who attended performances. The Brisco’s were impressed by Hogan’s physical stature, and asked Hiro Matsuda, a wrestling trainer, to make Hogan a trainee. Hogan trained for over a year, started wrestling, then left wrestling for a time when he could no longer work with his trainer.
Hogan eventually contacted Superstar Billy Graham to see if he could find him a wrestling job outside of Florida. Hogan was set to join Louie Tillet’s Alabama territory bringing along his friend Ed Leslie (Brutus Beefcake) who was not yet a wrestler. Hogan promised to teach him everything he knew about the sport.
After wrestling together for a while, Leslie and Hogan (billed at The Boulder Brothers) were approached by Jerry Jarrett of Continental Wrestling Association (CWA) in Memphis with the offer of more money per week. They accepted and left the Alabama territory.
The Name
While im Memphis, Hogan appeared on a local talk show beside Lou Ferrigno. Lou was the star of the TV series The Incredible Hulk. The host commented on how Hogan dwarfed “The Hulk.” After this, Hogan began performing as Terry “The Hulk” Boulder. In the late 70’s, Terry Funk introduced “The Hulk” to the promoter Vincent J. McMahon who was impressed by his stature and charisma. McMahon wanted him to use an Irish name, so he game him the last name Hogan. He also wanted him to dye his hair red. Hogan claimed his hair was already falling out and refused to dye it, simply saying, “I’ll be a blonde Irish.” Throughout the early 80’s, Hogan would wrestle Bob Backlund and start his feud with Andre the Giant. He also continued to fight for other promotions than just the WWF until 1983.
Coming Back and Going Forward – The Rise of Hulkamania
When Vincent K. McMahon purchased the WWF from his father in 1982, he planned to expand the territory into a nationwide promotion. He handpicked Hogan to be the company’s main attraction due to his charm and name recognition. Hogan came in and quickly won his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship, defeating the Iron Sheik. Immediately after the win, Gorilla Monsoon proclaimed, “Hulkamania is here!”
Hogan then began cutting promos introducing his three ‘demandments’ to his ‘Hulkamaniacs’: train, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins. It was then his ring gear became the red and yellow color scheme and his entrance included ripping his shirt and flexing. From here, Vince K. McMahon pushed his popularity into pop culture. Hogan teamed with friend and movie start Mr. T at WrestleMania 1. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and hosted Saturday Night Live. Hogan spent several years at WWF, but wouldn’t remain there forever.
World Championship Wrestling
Hogan joined WCW in 1994 and began his tenure by winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in his debut match, defeating Ric Flair. After some time, and multiple feuds with the title, Hogan became a villain for the first time in his career.
At Bash at the Beach 1996, Hogan interfered in a six-man tag team match with The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall). He attacked Randy Savage on behalf of Nash and Hall, becoming a heel. After that, he delivered a promo announcing the formation of a new world order and nWo was born. Hogan began dressing in black and gave himself the moniker “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan. He would go on to face Sting and eventually would be turned on by the nWo. Hogan would eventually return to WWF after WCW ended.
Five times the charm
Between 2002 and 2018, Hulk Hogan would return to the WWF/WWE five times. The first time, he left after creative differences, and spent some time in TNA. In 2005, he came back as he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. But, after a fall out with Vince McMahon, he left again, this time for Memphis Wrestling. After that, he began his own wrestling tour and returned to TNA. He would come back to the WWE as host of WrestleMania 30, but soon after got fired from after his scandalous remarks. Then this year, he made his fifth return to WWE, with his television return at Crown Jewel a month ago.
Though his time as a wrestler has not been without blemish, Hulk Hogan in undoubtedly one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
Missed the rest of the list? You can find them here.
[…] to WCW what Hulk Hogan was for WWF/E (who made the list at number 4, and you can find that here). Let’s delve into the career that shaped so many wrestling fans and alluded the […]