article-img

The Rise of Hulk Hogan: What gave birth to the Hulkmania?

2 years ago By Sports Desk

Terry Gene Bollea, famously known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional wrestler who left an indelible mark on the world of wrestling. With his larger-than-life persona and undeniable charisma, Hogan became a global wrestling sensation in the 1980s and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. 

Hogan is often credited to be the first global superstar and began his wrestling journey back in 1977. However, it was his move to the WWF in 1983 that he truly became popular. Embodying the persona of a heroic all-American character, Hogan played a significant role in fueling the professional wrestling boom of the 1980s. 

Hulk Hogan was an instant success with the WWE audience

During his initial tenure with the WWF, Hogan captured the imagination of fans around the world. He clinched the WWF Championship five times, with his first reign lasting an impressive duration, making it the second-longest in the history of the championship. Hogan’s first reign lasted an utterly impressive 1474 days as champion.

Additionally, Hogan became the first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches, achieving this feat in 1990 and 1991. His legendary match against Andre the Giant on WWF’s The Main Event in 1988 still holds the record for the highest American television viewership of a wrestling event.

In 1993, Hogan departed from the WWF to explore opportunities in film and television. However, he returned to the wrestling ring in 1994, signing with rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW). It was during this time that Hogan underwent a career transformation, adopting the villainous persona of “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan. 

As the leader of the New World Order (nWo) stable, he played a pivotal role in the “Monday Night Wars” era, where wrestling experienced another surge in popularity. Hogan won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship six times and held the record for the longest reign in the promotion’s history.

Hulk Hogan’s impact went beyond the WWE

Hogan’s impact extended beyond his stints with the WWF and WCW. He competed in other promotions such as the American Wrestling Association (AWA), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now Impact Wrestling). His versatility and widespread appeal made him a sought-after figure in the wrestling world.

Aside from wrestling, Hogan ventured into acting, appearing in movies such as Rocky III, No Holds Barred, and Suburban Commando. He also starred in television shows, including Hogan Knows Best, Thunder in Paradise, and China, IL.

While WWE has over the years seen a plethora of superstars make their way to Hollywood, Hulk Hogan was the first. He brought in a new era of superstardom which was a result of a combination of the above factors. At the end of the day, it was Hogan’s over-the-top character and personality that charmed audiences around the world. 

Watch a compilation of Hulk Hogan’s greatest WWE moments below:

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
More Recommendations
Unlock a World of Endless Discoveries: Your Personalized Recommendation Engine
article-image

MMA enthusiasts, brace yourselves for a night of intense battles and thrilling matchups as the Noche UFC 2023 event is… Read More

1 years ago Jhon Woug
article-image

Brock Lesnar, widely recognized as one of the most prominent UFC heavyweight champions, left an indelible mark on the promotion… Read More

2 years ago Sports Desk
article-image

Randy Orton is widely recognized for his signature move, the RKO, but his Punt Kick is arguably even more brutal,… Read More

1 years ago Sports Desk
article-image

The wrestling community is always abuzz with speculations and rumors. The recent exit of CM Punk from AEW has been… Read More

1 years ago Sports Desk
article-image

During Adin Ross’ highly anticipated boxing event on January 14, 2024, a surprising twist left fans stunned as a viral… Read More

1 years ago Jhon Woug
article-image

UFC Las Vegas 80: Who Won The Performer Of The Night, Bonus Amount, And More In the heart of Las… Read More

1 years ago Jhon Woug
Stories Going Viral
Unleashing the Power of Stories
article-image

In a nostalgic and heartwarming moment that had WWE fans worldwide buzzing with excitement, John Cena and The Rock, two… Read More

1 years ago Sports Desk
article-image

In the world of WWE Raw, things can often be unpredictable and full of surprises. Today’s WWE RAW was no… Read More

1 years ago Sports Desk
article-image

MMA is the story of a man who never gave up, Francis ‘Massaranduba’ Trinaldo, and faced many challenges on his… Read More

9 months ago Jhon Woug
article-image

In a historic turn of events, the worlds of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA) have collided as WWE… Read More

1 years ago Jhon Woug
article-image

In fact, Honda is one of the most successful manufacturers in MotoGP history. However, it has had tough times lately…. Read More

10 months ago Jhon Woug
article-image

A dark-haired man, a former indie player, featured in the uproar of the stands and the clashes in the ring… Read More

1 years ago Jhon Woug
Join Our Exclusive Newsletter and Stay in the Loop!
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x