HULKAMANIA: Career highlights of Hulk Hogan

Few names are as synonymous with professional wrestling as Hulk Hogan. A larger-than-life figure with a blonde handlebar mustache and a bellowing call to “say your prayers and take your vitamins,” Hogan transcended the squared circle to become a pop culture icon. With a career that spans decades, continents, and mediums, Hogan’s journey is punctuated by seismic moments that shaped not just his legacy, but the wrestling industry itself.

Here’s a look at the career-defining chapters that turned Terry Bollea into the immortal Hulk Hogan.

1. The birth of Hulkamania – WWF Debut, 1983

Though Hogan began wrestling in 1977, it wasn’t until his return to the World Wrestling Federation in December 1983 that history began to write itself in bold letters. Vince McMahon’s vision for a national wrestling brand found its perfect poster boy in Hogan. With his patriotic charisma, undeniable presence, and powerful physique, he quickly became the face of the 1980s wrestling boom.

His victory over The Iron Sheik in January 1984 to win his first WWF Championship wasn’t just a title win—it was the birth of Hulkamania. The fans rallied behind their all-American hero, and the era of superhero-style wrestling officially began.

2. WrestleMania and mainstream breakthrough

Hogan’s star power helped launch WrestleMania in 1985, a gamble by Vince McMahon that relied on celebrity involvement and Hogan’s name to sell tickets and pay-per-view buys. It paid off. Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleMania events, including unforgettable matches against King Kong Bundy (WrestleMania 2), André the Giant (WrestleMania III), and The Ultimate Warrior (WrestleMania VI).

His clash with André at The Main Event in 1988 drew a staggering 33 million viewers—a record that remains unbeaten in U.S. wrestling television history. At the peak of his popularity, Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler—he was an American superhero.

3. Royal Rumble Legacy and record-breaking title reign

In 1990 and 1991, Hogan became the first man to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches, reinforcing his dominance during the golden age of the WWF. His first title reign, lasting an incredible 1,474 days, remains the longest in WrestleMania-era history—a testament to his iron grip on the top spot.

4. Hollywood Hogan and the nWo Revolution – WCW, 1996

When Hogan jumped to World Championship Wrestling in 1994, fans initially saw more of the same red-and-yellow hero. But in 1996, he shocked the wrestling world by turning heel for the first time in over a decade.

Reinvented as “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, he formed the New World Order (nWo) alongside Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. The villainous faction flipped the script, and Hogan’s charisma in a darker role ignited a new wrestling boom—the Monday Night War. His work with the nWo headlining WCW’s Starrcade events helped WCW defeat the WWF in television ratings for 83 consecutive weeks, redefining his career and the industry.

5. The return of the immortal – WWE Comeback, 2002

After WWE purchased WCW in 2001, Hogan made a triumphant return to WWE in 2002, reuniting with fans as both Hollywood Hogan and, eventually, the beloved red-and-yellow icon. At Backlash 2002, he defeated Triple H to win the Undisputed WWE Championship at the age of 48—tying the record for most WWE title reigns at the time.

His WrestleMania X8 showdown with The Rock became a generational passing-of-the-torch moment, with the crowd’s thunderous support forcing a mid-match shift in narrative. It was a reminder: Hulkamania never really died.

6. Double hall of fame inductee

In 2005, Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, solidifying his status as one of the most influential wrestlers of all time. Fifteen years later, he was inducted a second time in 2020 as a member of the nWo—one of the few superstars to earn such a distinction.

7. Beyond the ring: Pop culture icon

Hogan’s impact extended far beyond wrestling. He made his Hollywood debut in Rocky III as Thunderlips and went on to star in films like No Holds Barred and Suburban Commando. His reality series Hogan Knows Best offered fans a glimpse into his personal life, while his endorsements, commercials, and even his video game (Hulk Hogan’s Main Event) kept him in the spotlight.

8. Legacy of the immortal

From pioneering WrestleMania to revolutionizing wrestling with the nWo, Hulk Hogan’s fingerprints are all over the industry’s biggest moments. Whether fans cheer or boo, the reaction is always passionate—because Hogan matters.

Today, he stands as a symbol of wrestling’s most transformative eras: the colorful 1980s, the rebellious 1990s, and the nostalgia-fueled 2000s. For generations of fans, the words “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?!” still evoke memories of body slams, big boots, and red-and-yellow glory.