WWE Icon, Hulk Hogan

If you were alive in the 1980s, you know Hulk Hogan as a god like figure. He was larger than life and personified the sport of wrestling in that era. Let us take a brief look at the Icon, Hulk Hogan!

Hulkamania

Hulk Hogan played a key role in lifting the WWE to a worldwide sensation during the 1980s. Pro Wrestling, prior to the 1980s, was very much a regional attraction. In the 80s all that changed. Wrestling went international. Fans of the WWE can now be found everywhere in the world, largely because of Hulk Hogan.

Hogan set the standard for what a WWE Superstar needed to be. Thanks to the Hulkster, they needed to have a superhuman physique and a whole lot of charisma. Hulk Hogan connected with his legions of fans in a way no other wrestler did previously, and possibly since. The “Hulkamaniacs” supported Hulk Hogan by buying his merch, watching his movies, and showing up at wrestling events and loudly expressing their love for Hogan.

WCW

When Hogan was a part of the WWE and rose to fame, he portrayed himself as the ultimate American hero. By the mid-1990s, that all American hero character was coming a bit boring. The 1990s were a lot different than the 1980s. Hulk Hogan was smart enough, and brave enough, to make a change.

The wrestling superstar would move to the WWE’s rival wrestling company, WCW. Along with the change of location came a change of character. Hogan became the leader of the New World Order. The NWO were villains, but despite being the bad guys, they were still tremendously popular. The NWO sold a lot of merch and is still remembered today as an all-time great wrestling faction.

As successful as the NWO was, fans started getting nostalgic for the classic Hulk Hogan character. Eventually Hogan would return to the hero persona he was beloved for.

The Legacy

Hulk Hogan is a larger than life figure. During his prime in the WWE, he won six WWE Championships, and appeared in commercials and television shows. He was the main attraction for the very first WrestleMania. Hogan has had some controversial moments in the last few years. But his position as a WWE Legend, and first real superstar of wrestling, is secure.

- Adam C. Better