Ranking Hulk Hogan's Greatest Matches and Moments in WWE and WCW Career
The wrestling world lost a titan Thursday when Hulk Hogan died at age 71.
A 12-time world champion across WWE and WCW, a two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee and one of the most recognizable stars the industry ever produced, he is one of the foundational pieces of pro wrestling's long and illustrious history.
These are the seven matches and moments that helped define his in-ring legacy.
7. The Ultimate Challenge (WrestleMania VI)
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Hogan's greatest in-ring achievement of his entire WWE run came on April 1, 1990, in Toronto's SkyDome when the defending WWE champion squared off with reigning intercontinental champion The Ultimate Warrior.
Expectations were low, given the perceptions neither was a particularly skilled wrestler, not to mention both were babyfaces forced to step out of the comfort zone of the "good guy vs. bad guy" formula.
Instead of a predictably uneventful bout, though, Hogan guided Warrior, perfectly executing the layout of the contest and keeping fans on the edge of their seats, waiting to see which icon of WWE's Golden Era would emerge with both titles.
Late, Hogan delivered his trademark leg drop, but Warrior moved and answered with a big splash. Three seconds later, the torch had seemingly been passed. Hogan handed over the title to Warrior and appeared to ride off into the sunset, ceding the floor to the new top dog in the company.
History tells us that was not the case.
Still, what Hogan pulled off between the ropes that night was nothing short of extraordinary and should be the shining example of his underrated value as a worker.
6. The Mega Powers Explode (WrestleMania V)
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For one year, Hogan and “Macho Man” Randy Savage took fans on an emotional roller coaster that saw the two most popular stars in WWE unite to battle the likes of the evil “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Andre the Giant, Big Boss Man and Akeem.
They won matches together and individually, but jealousy and paranoia over Hogan's friendship with Savage's manager, Miss Elizabeth, drove a wedge between them.
After a shocking betrayal during The Main Event on February 3, 1989, the partners-turned-enemies would clash in the main event of WrestleMania V in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
A high-drama matchup that saw Elizabeth's loyalties torn and Hogan bloodied by his ferocious opponent, the contest served as the perfect conclusion to one of the greatest long-form stories ever produced by WWE.
The challenger overcame his crimson mask to battle back and defeat Savage, much to the delight of his fans.
Hogan, a master storyteller in front of cameras and a live audience, had a way of captivating the audience through facial expressions and body language. That tool was on full display in this era-defining story and blowoff match.
5. Hulkamania Arrives in WCW
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Hulkamania was not the unstoppable force it had been at its height by the time the mid-1990s rolled around. However, it still carried considerable weight in the industry.
In 1994, with feelings hurt on both sides, Hogan and WWE severed ties. Eric Bischoff, the new senior vice president of WCW, saw an opportunity to boost his company's stature in the business by convincing Hogan to sign on the dotted line.
He did, and Hogan arrived in grand fashion, with his superstar status reflected in a parade that ushered in a new era for the promotion.
By the time he was booked to battle Ric Flair in the main event of Bash at the Beach, complete with appearances by Mr. T, Muhammad Ali and Shaquille O'Neal, it was clear Hogan's arrival had changed the landscape of pro wrestling for the second time in his career.
4. Hulkamania Runs Wild (January 23, 1984)
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The history of professional wrestling was forever changed on January 23, 1984 when Hulk Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik to win the WWF Championship and assume his spot atop Vince McMahon's promotion.
A star who built momentum for himself in Verne Gagne's AWA but benefited from the marketing machine of McMahon's rapidly expanding company, Hogan was solidified as the face of the promotion and the star who would guide it to its greatest success.
The wrestling boom of the 1980s, though already in motion, received the shot of adrenaline it needed to catapult it into another stratosphere by way of the first of Hogan's six WWE Championships.
3. Icon vs. Icon (WrestleMania X-8)
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Hogan's return to WWE in 2002 was met with uncertainty amid horror stories about his creative power plays in WCW and an in-ring quality that had dipped significantly.
He was still an enormous star and recognizable well beyond the confines of the pro wrestling business, though, so it was no surprise Vince McMahon took a chance on Hogan's ability to show up and show out on the grandest stage when he booked his greatest star of a bygone era against one of his biggest of the Attitude Era, The Rock, at WrestleMania X-8.
That decision paid off as Hogan and Rock captivated fans at the SkyDome in Toronto.
Fans gave Hogan a hero's welcome, eager to see him back in the ring and decidedly favoring him over The Great One. In return, he turned back the clock and reminded that audience of why they fell in love with him in the first place.
Hogan lost, but there was no bigger winner at that year's 'Mania than The Hulkster, who rode the wave of popularity to renewed interest and one last championship push.
2. New World Order (Bash at the Beach 1996)
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Hogan's heel turn rocked the foundation of wrestling as fans knew it.
For 12 years, he had been a hero to the masses. He influenced a generation of fans to say their prayers, take their vitamins and hit the gym. He preached the "demandments" of Hulkamania and vanquished the worst villains the pro wrestling industry had seen.
That formula grew old and by the back half of the 1990s, fans demanded more. They booed the red and yellow, rooted against their childhood hero and wanted cooler, edgier, real wrestling.
Enter, the New World Order.
Kevin Nash and Scott Hall made the jump from WWE and they needed one more earth-shattering heel turn to really make the formation of the faction memorable.
On July 7, 1996, at WCW Bash at the Beach, Hogan marched to the ring in what appeared to be an attempt to clear The Outsiders from the squared circle and save the day as he had so many times in his career.
However, no one foresaw the leg drop to Savage that announced Hogan's turn to the dark side, nor the venomous promo that followed and concluded with him telling his most faithful supporters to "stick it."
It was an unforgettable moment and one that kicked off an 83-week reign of pro wrestling supremacy for WCW, not to mention a much-needed reinvention of the Hogan persona.
1. Hogan vs. Andre (WrestleMania III)
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Hogan was the unquestioned face of professional wrestling by 1987. He had been world champion of WWE for over three years, and he was biggest star the industry had seen since Gorgeous George first invaded homes with the advent of the television three decades earlier.
The only star who realistically rivaled his popularity was Andre the Giant, a larger-than-life icon who had transcended the industry in appearances in The Six Million Dollar Man on television and the movie The Princess Bride.
Looking to bridge the gap between the days of regional territories, during which Andre was one of the kings, McMahon booked The Hulkster to defend his title against the newly heel Eighth Wonder of the World in a blockbuster main event.
With 93,173 fans packed into the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, Hogan overcame a match-long onslaught by his larger, more powerful opponent and delivered the most meaningful bodyslam of his career en route to a big leg drop and a successful WWE Championship retention.
Contrary to the longtime assertion the win was a passing-of-the-torch moment, thanks mostly to the fact that Hogan was already a bigger star than Andre at that point, the victory reaffirmed The Hulkster's status as the biggest star in the industry and gave him a defining win over one of the few stars on par with his own celebrity.
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