There are few wrestlers who are more iconic than Hulk Hogan, with the Immortal One having taken the wrestling industry to new heights throughout his career. He dominated the business during the Golden Era, creating countless unforgettable moments that helped build his legacy, and then went on to change the business again during the Monday Night Wars.
From classic matches to unforgettable segments, Hogan has done it all throughout his career. While his passing has rocked the wrestling industry, the WWE Hall of Famer has left behind a lengthy list of memorable moments that ensure he will never be forgotten, as his career is littered with iconic spots.
The Birth Of Hulkamania
- HulkaMania became Hogan’s slogan during his 80s WWE run.
- Hogan was the ultimate babyface in wrestling.
- He had the second longest WWE Title run in history.
Hulkamania has run wild over the professional wrestling world for several decades at this point, but it had to start somewhere. That was against The Iron Sheik in 1984, when Hulk Hogan defeated his adversary in New York. He won his first WWF Title in this moment, and from then on, he never looked back.
What followed was an epic 1,474-day reign as champion, which proved unforgettable and helped take the company to new heights. However, it was in that particular moment against one of his greatest rivals that everything changed, with Hulkamania becoming something that everyone wanted to be part of.
It was infectious, and it became impossible to avoid the yellow and red of Hulkamania. Whether it was fans dressing up, creating signs, or just the way Hogan himself was promoted, he became a megastar overnight.
The Mega Powers Collide
|
When |
Match Length |
Winner |
|---|---|---|
|
WWE WrestleMania 5 |
17:54 |
Hulk Hogan |
One of the greatest storylines of Hulk Hogan’s career was with the “Macho Man” Randy Savage. Initially starting as friends and tag team partners, issues began to arise with jealousy in the air between them, as Savage believed he saw lust in Hogan’s eyes for his partner, Miss. Elizabeth.
That set the two men off on a collision course for what became one of the best feuds in WWE history. It’s something that fans still talk about to this day, and the story behind it has certainly stood the test of time.
They would compete against each other at WrestleMania 5 in what became an iconic match that helped define the careers of both men at that time. They delivered on all the hype that had been built up around them, and that led to a special match that has stood the test of time.
Hulk Hogan Battles The Rock
|
When |
Match Length |
Winner |
|---|---|---|
|
WWE WrestleMania 18 |
16:24 |
The Rock |
Hulk Hogan has had many brilliant matches throughout his career, but arguably the most iconic as a bell-to-bell experience came when he battled The Rock. The two men met in the ring at WrestleMania 18, as two generations collided in what was effectively a passing of the torch moment.
Hogan walked into this one as the heel, while The Rock was supposed to be the beloved babyface, and that dynamic worked during the build-up. Yet on the night itself, there was magic in the air for Hogan as the WWE Universe opted to rally behind the legend, forcing a double turn within the match itself for that moment only.
It’s an extremely special match as the atmosphere for this is truly unlike any other in history. Both men reacted to the fans perfectly and showcased their quality as they pivoted plans in the moment to deliver an extremely special encounter.
Bodyslamming Andre The Giant
|
When |
Match Length |
Winner |
|---|---|---|
|
WWE WrestleMania 3 |
12:01 |
Hulk Hogan |
Hulk Hogan’s feud against Andre the Giant remains one of the most well-known in wrestling history, with this being something that helped transform the entire business. Both men were massive stars, and seeing them stand across from each other in the middle of the ring was a sight to behold for fans at that point in time.
Andre the Giant was almost like the immovable giant who fans didn’t believe could be taken down, given his size and power. However, in the main event of WrestleMania 3, Hogan proved that wasn’t the case, as he not only took down the big man but also bodyslammed him to the mat.
While seeing giant wrestlers get lifted up has become slightly more common over the years, at this point, it was a brand-new idea and something that fans were flabbergasted to see. There’s a reason why WWE continues to show clips of it, and that’s because it was such a historic moment in the history of wrestling as a sport.
Forming The nWo
- The nWo remains one of the greatest factions in wrestling history.
- The group has been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
- The faction would go on to add countless members.
There have been many brilliant heel turns throughout wrestling history that have left audiences stunned, causing reactions that ensure they will never be forgotten. However, nothing has ever managed to top the night that Hulk Hogan turned heel, joining forces with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to form what would become the nWo.
Taking place at WCW’s Bash at the Beach in 1996, Hogan did the unthinkable as he turned his back on the fans and his classic, clean babyface image to turn heel. The moment itself has never been forgotten, and it’s hard to imagine a heel turn ever making more of a long-term impact than this.
The nWo went on to become one of the greatest factions in wrestling history, and one that truly transformed the business. The group was a key reason why WCW dominated the Monday Night Wars for a long period, and that all stems from this one moment.
