Hulk Hogan is one of the most iconic professional wrestlers in the history of the sport. Born Terry Eugene Bollea, he adopted the stage name of Hulk Hogan and went on to become one of the most recognized and celebrated wrestlers of all time.
Over the course of his career, Hogan has had countless memorable moments in the ring, but in this article, we’ll take a look at his top 20 most iconic moments.
- Winning his first WWE Championship: Hogan won his first WWE Championship in 1984, defeating The Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden. This was a huge moment for Hogan and for the WWE, as it marked the beginning of Hogan’s ascent to superstardom.
- Body slamming Andre the Giant: In 1987, Hogan faced off against the legendary Andre the Giant in front of a packed crowd at WrestleMania III. In one of the most iconic moments in wrestling history, Hogan body slammed the 500-pound Andre, solidifying his status as a true wrestling legend.
- Becoming the face of the WWE: Hogan quickly became the face of the WWE in the 1980s, thanks in large part to his incredible charisma and larger-than-life personality.
- The birth of Hulkamania: Hogan’s success in the WWE led to the birth of Hulkamania, a cultural phenomenon that swept the nation and turned Hogan into a household name.
- Feuding with “Macho Man” Randy Savage: Hogan had a long-running feud with “Macho Man” Randy Savage, which culminated in a memorable match at WrestleMania V in 1989.
- Forming the nWo: In 1996, Hogan shocked the wrestling world by turning heel and forming the New World Order (nWo) with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.
- Winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship: Hogan won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in 1994, defeating Ric Flair in a memorable match.
- The Monday Night Wars: Hogan played a key role in the Monday Night Wars, a ratings battle between the WWE and WCW that took place in the late 1990s.
- Defeating The Rock at WrestleMania X8: Hogan faced off against The Rock at WrestleMania X8 in 2002 in a match that many consider to be one of the greatest of all time.
- Returning to the WWE in 2002: Hogan returned to the WWE in 2002, much to the delight of his fans.
- Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame: Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, cementing his place in wrestling history.
- Defeating Shawn Michaels at SummerSlam 2005: Hogan faced off against Shawn Michaels at SummerSlam 2005 in a match that saw Michaels sell Hogan’s offense in a way that many found humorous.
- Feuding with The Undertaker: Hogan had a memorable feud with The Undertaker in the early 2000s, which culminated in a match at Judgment Day 2002.
- Making a surprise appearance on Monday Night Raw in 2014: Hogan made a surprise appearance on Monday Night Raw in 2014, receiving a huge ovation from the crowd.
- Hosting WrestleMania 30: Hogan co-hosted WrestleMania 30 in 2014, alongside Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock.
- Being interviewed by Mean Gene Okerlund: Hogan had a long-standing friendship with Mean Gene Okerlund, and the two had many memorable interviews together over the years.
- Feuding with The Ultimate Warrior: Hogan had a memorable feud with The Ultimate Warrior in the early 1990s, which culminated in a champion vs. champion match at WrestleMania VI in 1990, where The Ultimate Warrior emerged victorious.
- Defeating Sgt. Slaughter for the WWE Championship: In 1991, Hogan defeated Sgt. Slaughter at WrestleMania VII to win his third WWE Championship, in a match that had the added emotional significance of taking place just a few months after the Gulf War had ended.
- Wrestling in Japan: Hogan had several memorable matches in Japan, including a match against Antonio Inoki in 1983 that drew a record-setting crowd of over 70,000 fans.
- Creating memorable catchphrases: Hogan is known for his memorable catchphrases, such as “What’cha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” and “Train, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins.” These catchphrases have become part of wrestling lore and are still quoted by fans today.
Overall, Hulk Hogan’s career has been filled with countless iconic moments that have cemented his status as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
From winning his first WWE Championship to body slamming Andre the Giant, to forming the nWo and feuding with The Rock, Hogan’s legacy in wrestling is undeniable.
Even today, years after his last match, Hogan’s influence can still be felt in the world of professional wrestling, and his place in the pantheon of wrestling greats is secure.
