The Hulk Hogan Story Part 2 Continued from Part 1 Prior Post
After reviewing and posting the videos in Part 1 of the story of Hulk Hogan…..that’s when I came to the realization of just how many pro wrestling events were shown live and on replay at MSG, The Sports Place, in downtown Austin, TX from 1975 to 1988. This was a time when 90% of the 2300 hours (24,000 vintage sports, comedy and music were recorded….. which are all still in the process of being posted here at imasportsphile.com. So, while continuing to add more video to this Hulk Hogan post…..I came to the realization that I actually have become a big fan of professional wrestling…..because it has been an acquired taste. You see, for the 1st 50 years on this Earth…..pro wrestling was considered by this sportsphile to be more entertainment than sport…..albeit has always been performed by HUGE MEN that could perform tremendous athletic endeavors…..when absorbing a tremendous amount of pounding and pain…..while performing intricate choreographed wrestling and fighting routines. Pro Wrestlers are extremely multi-talented individuals who the ability to be “A Bigger Than Life” SUPERHERO…..and The Hulkster was quite possibly the most impactful pro wrestler ever…..so, we hope you enjoy Part 2 as much as Part 1.
Pro Wrestling – Hulk Hogan Special – “Hulk Hogan’s World Championship victories: WWE Milestones”
In 1984, similarities between Hogan and Marvel Comics’ Incredible Hulk led to a legal agreement. Titan Sports, Marvel, and Hogan signed a deal granting Marvel the trademarks to “Hulk Hogan,” “Hulkster,” and “Hulkamania” for 20 years…..as part of the agreement, the WWF could no longer refer to Hogan as “The Incredible Hulk,” “Hulk,” or use purple and green in his presentation. Marvel also received 0.9% of Hogan-related merchandise revenue, $100 per match and 10% of Hogan’s other earnings under the name…..plus, this agreement would carry over into Hogan’s time in WCW, which by 1996 had become a sister company to Marvel rival DC Comics through their parent company Time Warner. Hogan was using the “Hollywood Hogan” persona at that time, avoiding potential legal conflicts. In reference to the dispute, a story in 1988’s Marvel Comics Presents #45 had a panel where a wrestler resembling Hogan was tossed through an arena roof by the Incredible Hulk as he had “picked the wrong name.”
Pro Wrestlling – Hulk Hogan – Live Interview On This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von (July 2023) – On How Hulk Hogan Bought His Name Back From Marvel
Over the following year, Hulk Hogan became the face of professional wrestling as Vince McMahon expanded the WWF into mainstream pop culture through the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection on MTV…..when this period saw large increases in viewing attendance, television ratings and pay-per-view buys…..while Hogan was the main attraction at the 1st WrestleMania, held on March 31, 1985…..where he teamed with actor and wrestler Mr. T to defeat “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff.
Pro Wrestling – WrestleMania I (1985) – Main Event – Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. “Rowdy ” Roddy Piper & “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff – Full Match
Hogan made multiple successful title defenses throughout 1986, including against King Kong Bundy at WrestleMania 2 and Orndorff at The Big Event and Saturday Night’s Main Event IX. In the fall he occasionally wrestled in tag team matches with The Machines as Hulk Machine under a mask copied from NJPW’s gimmick “Super Strong Machine”. At WrestleMania III in 1987, Hogan defended his title against André the Giant, whom the WWF promoted as undefeated in the WWF for 15 years. André turned heel by aligning with manager Bobby Heenan in the lead-up to a match at WrestleMania III, which was promoted as one of the biggest in wrestling history. At the event, Hogan successfully defended the title by body-slamming André, winning the match with a leg drop.
Pro Wrestling – WrestleMania II (1985) – Main Event WWF Title Cage Match – Hulk Hogan Vs. King Kong Bundy – Full Match
Pro Wrestling – WWF Title Match at “The Big Event” – Hulk Hogan Vs. “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff
Pro Wrestling – A&E Documentary – “WWE Rivals: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant – WrestleMania III Showdown Explained” (S2 E1) | Full Episode
Hogan was named the most requested celebrity of the 1980s for the Make-a-Wish Foundation children’s charity. He was featured on the covers of Sports Illustrated (the first and as of 2013, only professional wrestler to do so), TV Guide, and People magazines, while also appearing on The Tonight Show and having his own CBS Saturday morning cartoon titled Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling. He also co-hosted Saturday Night Live on March 30, 1985. AT&T reported that the 900 number information line he ran while with the WWF was the single biggest 900 number from 1991 to 1993. Hogan continued to run a 900 number after joining World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
Pro Wrestling – Hulk Hogan’s Animated Cartoon Series on CBS – “Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling” – All Time Champ Special
ProWrestling-SNL Comedy Skit with Co-Hosts Hulk Hogan and Mr. T (1985) – “Fernando’s Hideaway & Nitro Stills”
Pro Wrestling – Hulk Hogan Special –“The Hulkster Makes the Cover of Sports Illustrated” (April 29, 1985) – As the 1st Pro Wrestler to Ever Do So
Hogan lost the WWF title to André the Giant on The Main Event I after a setup involving “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and referee Earl Hebner…..who had secretly taken the place of his identical twin brother Dave Hebner, the referee originally assigned to the match…..and after André delivered a belly to belly suplex on Hogan…..that’s when Earl Hebner counted the pin even though Hogan’s shoulder was off the mat. After the match, André gave the title to DiBiase as part of their deal…..however, WWF President Jack Tunney ruled that a title couldn’t be sold and the championship was vacated. At WrestleMania IV, Hogan entered a tournament to win the vacant title…..as he and André both got byes into the quarterfinals…..but their match ended in a double disqualification. Later, Hogan helped stop André from interfering in the final match…..which allowed Randy Savage to beat DiBiase and win the championship. Afterwards, Hogan, Savage and manager Miss Elizabeth formed a partnership known as The Mega Powers…..who feuded with The Mega Bucks and the Twin Towers in the rest of the year. By the end of 1988, the Mega Powers started a storyline where they began to fall apart after Savage grew jealous of Hogan…..while suspecting romantic tension between Hogan and Miss Elizabeth. At the 1989 Royal Rumble, Hogan accidentally eliminated Savage while trying to get rid of another wrestler…..when soon after at The Main Event II…..during a tag match against The Twin Towers, Savage accidentally knocked down Elizabeth…..and Hogan took her backstage for help while leaving Savage alone in the ring. When Hogan returned and asked for a tag, Savage slapped him and walked out. Hogan finished the match and won on his own. After the match, Savage attacked Hogan backstage…..thus breaking up the partnership and officially starting their feud…..which culminated at WrestleMania V…..where Hogan defeated Savage to win his second WWF World Heavyweight Championship.
Pro Wrestlling – WWF Special (1988) – Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage join forces: Saturday Night’s
Pro Wrestling – Hulk Hogan & WWF Champ “Macho Man” Randy Savage (with Miss Elizabeth) Announce They Are Forming a Tag Team known as The Mega Powers with Ring Announcer Craig DeGeorge (1988)
Pro Wrestling – Royal Rumble 1989 – Hulk Hogan Accidentally Eliminates His Mega Power Tag Team Partner WWF Champ “Macho Man” Randy Savage – Tag Team Mgr. Miss Elizabeth Steps Between Them
Pro Wrestling – Hulk Hogan Interview (1989) – With WWF’s “Mean” Gene Okerlund – On Being Ready To Collide with WWF Champ “Macho Man” Randy Savage at Upcoming WrestleMania V
Pro Wrestling – WrestlleMania V (1989) – WWF Title Match – Champ “Macho Man” Randy Savage Vs. Hulk Hogan – Full Match
During Hogan’s second reign as champion, he starred in the film No Holds Barred, which was the inspiration of a feud with Hogan’s co-star Tom Lister, Jr., who appeared at wrestling events as his film character Zeus. The duo would fight multiple times across the country during late 1989, including tag team matches at Summer Slam and at the No Holds Barred pay-per-view, with Hogan winning each match. He also won the 1990 Royal Rumble match, during which he encountered the Ultimate Warrior for the first time. Their brief interaction in the match would lead to feud between the pair, culminating in Hogan losing his championship to the Warrior in a title vs title match at Wrestlemania VI. In the months following his WrestleMania VI defeat, he teased retiring after being attacked by Earthquake in a sneak attack on The Brother Love Show, but returned by Summer Slam and defeated Earthquake in a series of matches across the country.
Pro Wrestling – WrestleMania V – WWF Title Match – Champ “Macho Man” Randy Savage Vs. Hulk Hogan – Full Match
Hogan became the first wrestler to win two Royal Rumble matches in a row after winning the 1991 Royal Rumble match. He subsequently defeated Sgt. Slaughter at WrestleMania VII, and lost the title to The Undertaker at Survivor Series later that year following interference from Ric Flair. Hogan regained the championship at This Tuesday in Texas six days later after throwing ashes from Undertaker’s urn in his face; however, championship was later declared vacant due to two succeeding controversial title changes. It was decided that the vacant WWF Championship would be decided in the 1992 Royal Rumble match. During the match, Hogan was eliminated by Sid Justice, who in turn Hogan helped Flair to eliminate, leading to Flair’s victory. At WrestleMania VIII, Hogan defeated Sid via disqualification due to interference by Sid’s manager Harvey Wippleman. During this time, news sources began to allege that George Zahorian, a doctor for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, had been selling steroids illegally to WWF wrestlers, including Hogan. Amidst public scrutiny, Hogan took a leave of absence from the company in late 1992.
Pro Wrestling – WrestleMania VI (1990) – Champion Vs Champion Match – Hulk Hogan Vs. The Ultimate Warrior
ProWrestling-Summer Slam Spectacular Title Match (1991) – Hulk Hogan Vs Sgt. Slaughter – Full Match
Pro Wrestling – WWE Survivor Series Title Match (1991) – Hulk Hogan Vs. The Undertaker – Full Match
Hogan returned to the WWF in February 1993…..while helping his friend Brutus Beefcake in his feud with Money Inc…..and renaming themselves The Mega-Maniacs…..when at WrestleMania IX, Hogan and Beefcake lost by disqualification to Money Inc. in a match for the WWF Tag Team Championship. Later that night, Hogan won his 5th WWF Championship by pinning Yokozuna in an impromptu match only moments after Yokozuna had defeated Bret Hart for the championship…..as Hogan reportedly used his influence to have the finish of WrestleMania changed the weekend of the event so he would be champion during an upcoming international and de facto farewell tour. WWF Official Bruce Prichard has said in interviews Hogan was made champion to help ticket sales for a WWF tour of Europe. At the first annual King of the Ring pay-per-view on June 13, Hogan lost the WWF Championship to Yokozuna after Hogan was blinded by a fireball shot by Harvey Wippleman disguised as a “Japanese photographer”. This was Hogan’s last WWF pay-per-view appearance until 2002; after continuing his feud on the international house show circuit with Yokozuna until August 1993, Hogan sat out the rest of his contract which expired later that year. Before he lost the belt to Yokozuna, on May 3, 1993, Hogan returned to NJPW as WWF Champion and defeated IWGP Heavyweight Champion The Great Muta at Wrestling Dontaku. Hogan also wrestled The Hell Raisers with Muta and Masahiro Chono as his tag team partners. His last match in Japan was on January 4, 1994, at Battlefield, when he defeated Tatsumi Fujinami.
Pro Wrestling – 1989 Summer Slam Tag Team Match – Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcakes Vs. Randy Savage & Zues – Full Match
Pro Wrestling – Hall of Fame Match (1991) – Hulk Hogan Vs. Yokozuma – As The Hulkster Loses His Title
Pro Wrestling – NJPW Title Match at Wrestlling Dontaku (1993) – Ichiban (Hulk Hogan) Vs. The Great Matu
Starting in March 1994, Hogan began making appearances on World Championship Wrestling (WCW) television, with interviewer Gene Okerlund visiting him on the set of Thunder in Paradise episodes…..when on June 11, 1994, Hogan officially signed with WCW in a ceremony that was held at Disney-MGM Studios. He was managed by Jimmy Hart…..when the next month, Hogan made his in-ring debut at Bash at the Beach…..when he defeated Ric Flair to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship…..as his arrival was seen as a turning point for the company…..by bringing mainstream attention, increased pay-per-view sales and new sponsorships…..after which Hogan continued feuding with Flair and later faced other top stars like The Butcher and Vader over the World Championship. He also reunited with Randy Savage, reforming the Mega Powers in WCW.
Pro Wrestling – WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match (1993) – Hulk Hogan Vs. Ric Flair – Full Match
In September 1995, Hogan headlined the debut episode of WCW Monday Nitro…..which marked the beginning of the Monday Night Wars with WWF. He began wearing all black and feuded with The Dungeon of Doom….. while leading to a WarGames match at Fall Brawl where Hogan’s team claimed victory. His 469-day title reign, the longest in the title’s history, ended at Halloween Havoc after a disqualification loss to The Giant. The title was allowed to change hands under such circumstances due to a previously-agreed contract clause…..but the controversy led to the title being vacated. Hogan was unsuccessful in reclaiming the title at World War III, but would end his feud with The Giant with a cage match victory at SuperBrawl VI. In early 1996, he and Savage formed a team to battle The Alliance to End Hulkamania, defeating them at Uncensored in a Doomsday Cage match. At Bash at the Beach 1996, Hulk Hogan turned heel for the first time in nearly fifteen years by attacking Randy Savage and aligning with The Outsiders (Kevin Nash and Scott Hall), cutting a promo afterwards in which he announced the formation of the New World Order (nWo). Rebranding himself as “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, he adopted a new black-and-white persona and dominated WCW, capturing his second WCW World Heavyweight Championship at Hog Wild on August 10 by defeating The Giant for the title. He briefly lost the title to Lex Luger on the August 4, 1997, episode of Nitro, only to regain it five days later at Road Wild. Meanwhile, a lengthy storyline between Sting and the nWo reached its pinnacle at Starrcade on December 28, where Sting defeated Hogan to win the championship in a controversial finish.
Pro Wrestling – WCW Bash at the Beach (1996) Hulk Hogan Special – “The Hulkster Forms The nWo with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash
Pro Wrestling – WrestleFest (1988) Super Brawl – Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant in a Steel Cage Title Match and MORE!
A feud with fellow nWo members Kevin Nash and Randy Savage led to the group’s split into “nWo Hollywood” led by Hogan and “nWo Wolfpac” led by Nash; Hogan defeated Savage to win his fourth WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the April 20, 1998, episode of Nitro. He lost the title to the then-undefeated Bill Goldberg on the July 6, 1998 episode of Nitro. After this, he spent the rest of 1998 in high-profile celebrity matches at various WCW PPVs, involving the likes of Dennis Rodman, Karl Malone (Bash at the Beach), and Jay Leno (Road Wild). Hogan also had a critically panned rematch with The Warrior at Halloween Havoc on October 25, where his nephew Horace aided his victory. In late 1998, he announced a presidential run and retirement from wrestling, which were later revealed as publicity stunts derived from Jesse Ventura’s recent Minnesota gubernatorial win.
Pro Wrestling – WCW Nitro World Title Match (1998) – “Macho Man” Randy Savage Vs. Hulk Hogan – As Hulk Wins His 4th WCW World Heavyweight Championship Title
Pro Wrestling – WCW Nitro World Title Match (1998) – Hulk Hogan Vs Bill Goldberg – As Hulk Loses His 4th WCW World Heavyweight Championship Title
Pro Wrestling – WCW Bash at the Beach Tag Team Match (1998) – Carl Malone & “Diamond Dallas Page” Vs. Dennis Rodzilla” Rodman & Hulk Hogan – Great Entertainment!!
Pro Wrestling – WCW Wild Hog Entire Event (1998) – Featuring Tag Team Match with Jay Leno & “Diamond Dallas Page” Vs. Eric Bischoff & Hulk Hogan, plus Goldberg faces nWo Hollywood and Wolfpac members – in Battle Royal – Great Entertainment!!
Pro Wrestling – WCW World Heavyweight Championship Title Match (1998) – Hulk Hogan Vs. Lex Luther – Full Match
Pro Wrestling – WCW World Heavyweight Championship Title Match (1995) – Hulk Hogan Vs. Sting – Full Match
Hogan returned to WCW in January 1999 during the infamous “Fingerpoke of Doom” match, where he reclaimed the WCW title from Kevin Nash via a simple poke to Nash’s chest, with the pair afterwards reunifying the nWo factions. The incident is widely seen as a key factor in WCW’s decline in ratings and popularity. Later that year in March, he lost the title to Ric Flair at Uncensored and returned as a babyface in July, defeating Savage to win his sixth and final WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the July 12 episode of Nitro. On August 9, Hogan defeated Nash at Road Wild to retain the championship. At Fall Brawl Hogan lost the title to Sting. In the rematch at Halloween Havoc, Hogan came to the ring in street clothes, laid down for the pin, and left the ring. Hogan was convinced shortly after by head booker Vince Russo to take time off.
Pro Wrestling – WCW Nitro Heavyweight Championship Title Match (1999) – “The Finger Polk of Doom” – Hollywood Hogan Vs. Kevin Nash
Pro Wrestling – WCW Nitro Heavyweight Championship Title Match (1999) – Hulk Hogan Vs. Sting – As The Hulkster Gets KO’d by a Baseball Bat
Hogan returned in June 2000, feuding with the cruiserweight Billy Kidman, culminating in a match at The Great American Bash. Their feud had a negative reception, being voted as the worst feud of the year by readers of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. At Bash at the Beach on July 9, 2000, Hogan was involved in a controversial segment. Hogan was scheduled to challenge Jeff Jarrett for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship however before the match, there was a backstage dispute between Hogan and Russo. The match ending was changed to a worked shoot where Jarrett laid down for Hogan, with Hogan after winning, disparaging Russo and the company on the microphone. Moments later, Russo came to the ring and said this would be “the last time fans would ever see that piece of shit in a WCW ring” whilst revealing Hogan’s creative control clause in his contract. As a result, Hogan filed a defamation of character lawsuit against Russo, which was eventually dismissed in 2002…..as Russo claims the entire incident was a work…..and Hogan claimed that Russo had turned it into a shoot when Russo went into the ring…..when WCW President Eric Bischoff agreed with Hogan’s side of the story…..while saying he and Hogan celebrated after the event over the success of the angle…..but that Russo coming out to fire Hogan was unplanned. Regardless, the incident marked Hogan’s final appearance in WCW.
Pro Wrestling – WCW Bash at the Beach Special (2000) – “The Infamous Vince Russo shoot promo on Hulk Hogan”
In the months afterwards, in March 2001 Hogan underwent surgery on his knees, wrestling in a match for Xcitement Wrestling Federation (XWF) in November 2001 in preparation for his return to the WWF in February 2002.
Pro Wrestling – Hulk Hogan Bio Special – “Hulk Hogan: The Final WCW Days
At No Way Out on February 17, 2002, The Hulkster returned to the WWF as a heel…..while reuniting with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash as the original nWo….. as the group attacked The Rock and cost Stone Cold Steve Austin a chance at becoming the Undisputed WWF Champion…..which led to them feuding with both Austin and The Rock. This resulted in a match between Hulk and The Rock at Wrestlemania X8 on March 17th…..and albeit The Hulkster entered the match as a heel, the crowd supported him and cheered him heavily….. when after losing the match, he shook hands with The Rock and turned his face while distancing himself from the nWo. Following WrestleMania X8, Hogan revived his red and yellow Hulkamania persona…..albeit he initially kept elements of his “Hollywood” character such as his blonde mustache and black beard combination. On the March 25 episode of Raw, he was drafted to the SmackDown! brand…..where he began a feud with Triple H…..when Hogan defeated him at Backlash on April 21st to win the Undisputed WWF Championship…..while becoming the final WWF Champion before the company was renamed WWE in May 2002.
Pro Wrestling – WrestleMania X8 -WWF Championship Title Match – Hulk Hogan Vs. The Rock
Pro Wrestling – WWF Smackdown ULL Title Match (June 6, 2002) – Hulk Hogan Vs. Triple H – Great Match!!
Pro Wrestling – WWF Backlash Championship Title Match (2002) – Champ Triple H vs Hulk Hogan – Awesome Match!!
Hogan lost the title to The Undertaker at Judgment Day on May 19. He later feuded with Kurt Angle…..while losing to him by submission at King of the Ring on June 23rd…..which was notably the 1st time Hogan had lost by submission in his career. He also briefly held the WWE Tag Team Championship with Edge for 19 days…..then was also notably defeated by Brock Lesnar by technical submission on the August 8 episode of SmackDown! After his loss to Lesnar, Hogan went on a brief hiatus before returning in early 2003…..while dropping the remaining components of his “Hollywood” persona. He faced The Rock again at No Way Out on February 23, losing the match. At WrestleMania XIX on March 30, Hogan defeated Vince McMahon in a street fight billed as “20 years in the making.”‘ Following this, Hogan adopted a masked alter ego named Mr. America after McMahon tried to force him out of the WWE…..but despite McMahon’s attempts to prove Mr. America’s identity, the masked wrestler continued to appear through May and June, including a victory over “Rowdy” Roddy Piper at Judgment Day. Mr. America‘s final appearance was on the June 26 episode of SmackDown! in a six-man tag team match. The following week, Hogan quit WWE due to creative frustrations, unhappy with the payoffs for his matches after his comeback under the Mr. America gimmick. On the July 3rd episode of SmackDown!, McMahon aired footage of Hogan unmasking after the June 26 episode of SmackDown! and “fired” him on-screen…..which was actually Hogan had already left the company.
Pro Wrestling – WWE Smackdown (2002) – Brock Lesnar vs. Hulk Hogan – Entire Match
Pro Wrestling – WWE WrestleMania XIX Street Fight Special – “20 Years in the Making” – Hulk Hogan Vs. Vince McMahon – Full Match
Pro Wrestling – WWF Wrestling Biography Special – “The Story of Mr. America’s Career at WWE & Hogan Quitting WWE
Pro Wrestling – WWE Special – “Mr. America Takes a Lie Detector Test on SmackDown!” (5/29/2003) – To Prove He is not Hulk Hogan Behind the Mask
NOTE:
This is the end of the Hulk Hogan story Part 2 – Part 3 Begins on the Next Next Post
