Legends of Wrestling – Hulk Hogan – Part 1
Every person who knows a bit about wrestling is familiar with the name of the legendary Hulk Hogan. Hulk Hogan is the same wrestler who revolutionized the concept of professional wrestling and made WWF (later WWE) a household name in the U. S. This great wrestler fought in different wrestling organizations and promotions around the world and won many championships.
Wrestling entertainment changed forever when Hulk Hogan replaced the injured Bob Backlund to defeat the Iron Sheik and become the new WWE Champion. That was not an ordinary defeat as it was the birth of a new phenomena and a new legend. Hulk Hogan had all the attributes required to become a charismatic wrestler. Hogan remained the WWE Champion for nearly four years. No other wrestler in the history of professional wrestling has even come close to matching such a long undefeated title reign. The success of the phenomenal Hulk Hogan led to him working in various famous movies and television shows.
Hulk Hogan was never afraid to take on different wrestlers. He defeated the likes of Greg “The Hammer” Valentine and King Kong Bundy and earned praise from the fans. Hulk Hogan faced the toughest challenge of his wrestling career when he faced one of the biggest wrestlers of all time, the Hall of Famer, Andre the Giant. It was the occasion of Wrestle Mania III and no one had ever defeated the great, Andre the Giant. But Hulk Hogan took the challenge without any hesitation any faced his long time friend in the ring. A lot of fans who admired Hulk Hogan for his raw strength and energy were skeptical if the Hulk could beat the big giant.
Hogan proved every one wrong at Wrestle Mania when he literally picked up the heavy giant to execute a body slam and pinned him to win the match. It was an unbelievable sight as the crowd roared in the favour of Hulk Hogan. Hogan was at the peak of his career and for four years the WWE Championship became his property as no one was able to take the belt from him.
It was in 1988 when Hulk Hogan lost his prestigious WWE Championship to Andre the Giant in a controversial manner. But it was impossible to keep Hulk Hogan far from the WWE title as he regained it after defeating Randy “Macho Man” Savage. Hulk Hogan also made the leg drop maneouver famous as he adopted it as his wrestling finisher. Hogan fought with all his strength in subsequent years and held the title four times between 1989 and 1993.
Hulk Hogan also did the remarkable feat of headlining eight out the first nine Wrestle Manias. Wrestlers spend their careers to fight in a match at Wrestle Mania and headlining a Wrestle Mania is surely a big achievement for any one. Hulk Hogan also touched the height of popularity and success as he won the consecutive Royal Rumbles of 1990 and 1991. Hulk Hogan had some of the most memorable rivalries with some of the best in the wrestling. Some of the opponents of Hulk Hogan included the Ultimate Warrior, Under Taker and Sgt. Slaughter. There was perhaps no force in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) who could stop this great legendary wrestler.
Hulk Hogan then left WWF to join the World Championship Wrestling (WCW). After joining the WCW, Hulk Hogan created one of the most popular groups of all time called the New World Order (NWO). The NWO was called 'the pack of wolves' and attacked almost every wrestler in WCW. NWO also helped WCW win the ratings was against WWF. Hulk Hogan was the leader of NWO and the group included Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.
Please read “Legends of Wrestling – Hulk Hogan – Part 2” to find out more about this great legendary wrestler who revolutionized the world of professional wrestling.
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