Hulk Hogan is the most recognized
face in professional wrestling. He is a Icon and a mainstream star. Hogan began
his career in 1976 and was trained by Hiro Matsuda. After being trained, Hogan
started wrestling in Florida, where he would team with Ed Leslie (Brutus
Beefcake). They would form a lifetime friendship together.
In 1979, Hulk signed with WWE.
Hogan started out a heel and was managed by "Classy" Freddie Blassie. For the
next couple of years, he wrestled all over the world. Hogan's first mainstream
exposure came when he landed a role in Rocky 3. The film would help Hogan gain
popularity.
In 1984, Hogan would turn face
and the Hulkmania era would begin. On January 23. 1984, Hulk would defeated The
Iron Sheik in Madison Square Garden to win his first WWE World title. The
Hulkmania era brought in millions of fans and made pro wrestling very popular.
Hulk wrestled many big men such
as King Kong Bundy, Ruddy Piper, Don Maraca. However, the Andre the Giant feud
made Hulk Hogan into a superstar. The feud took the WWE and Hulk new heights.
The feud would hit it's peak at Wrestle mania 3 in front of 93,107 fans. Hogan
would body slam and pin Andre to retain his World title. The match is highly
regarded as the most recognized match of the late 1980's. After holding the WWE
Championship for 4 years, Hogan would lose the to Andre in 1988
In 1989, Hogan would team up with
Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth to form the Mega Powers. However, the team did
not last long. As Randy Savage would turn on Hogan in February 1989. Hulk would
defeated Randy At Wrestlemania 5 to regain his World Title.
This time Hogan's title run would
only last a year. He would lose the Championship at the next year's Wrestlemania
against The Ultimate Warrior. Hogan would win the title five times and remained
the companies top star.
In 1993, Hulk Hogan would leave
the WWE and sign with WCW the next year. Hogan would win the WCW World title in
his first match with company against Ric Flair. Hogan would feud with Ric Flair,
Vader, The Butcher, and The Giant(Big Show) for the next two years.
In the summer of 1996, Hulk Hogan
would turn heel and formed the NWO. The faction originally consisted of Hulk,
Kevin Nash, Scott Hall. Hogan would once again take the wrestling business to
new height. Hogan became the companies top heel. He would feud the Sting, Lex
Luger, Ric Flair, Randy Savage. Hogan remained the company top star up
until the Summer of 2000.
In 2002, Hogan would return to
the WWE for a year. He wrestled The Rock at Wrestlemania 18. Although he
would lose the legendary matchup, Hulk would win his sixth and final WWE
Championship the next month against Triple H. Hogan remained with the
company up until mid 2003. Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at
Wrestlemania 21. Hogan wrestled off and on for the next couple of years. Hulk
Hogan wrestled his final match in the WWE at Summerslam 2007 against Randy
Orton
Hulk Hogan signed a one year deal
with TNA in January 2010.
