Hulk Hogan is one of the most important figures in pro wrestling history. The Hall of Famer made wrestling what it is today thanks to his popularity in the 1980s and his heel turn in the 90s. Even following his passing, "Hulkamania" will live forever.
The multi-time world champion recently passed away at the age of 71. The news shocked the pro wrestling world, as it seemed sudden. Friends, family, pro wrestlers, and celebrities honored him. Conversations of Hogan will include highlights of his career and discussions of his controversial past.
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When reflecting on Hogan, one can’t forget the many matches he competed in and the rivalries that helped form a boom period in pro wrestling. From the Mega Powers exploding, the leg drop heard around the world, to Toronto cheering for a heel, Hogan has had some legendary rivalries and matches.
The Sporting News looks at some of Hulk Hogan’s best rivals and matches he competed in over the years.
Hulk Hogan's greatest rivals and matches
Honorable mentions: Ric Flair, Roddy Piper, The Ultimate Warrior, Bobby Heenan
Andre the Giant
Hulk Hogan and WrestleMania are synonymous with one another. That becomes obvious when you think about WrestleMania 3 and the match between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant.
Andre turned on Hogan, at one point a friend, showing he wanted to hold gold. Teaming with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, it appeared Hogan was truly in trouble for the first time since his years-long title reign started.
It truly was the irresistible force vs. the immovable object. As Hogan has told many times before, he lifted Andre up and tossed him onto his back to the shock of the crowd at the Pontiac Silverdome. One leg drop later, and it was all over.
They feuded a few more times, but nothing topped their WrestleMania 3 match. It’s considered one of the most important matches and rivalries in wrestling history.
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'Matcho Man' Randy Savage
The Mega Powers were one of the most dominant forces in wrestling history. Hogan and Randy Savage went from rivals to partners in 1987, making the “Macho Man” a true fan favorite. They set aside any differences to take over the then-WWF.
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At the 1989 Royal Rumble, Hogan accidentally eliminated Savage. However, that wasn't where things went sour. Savage was always protective of Miss Elizabeth. The then-WWE Champion saw Hogan and Elizabeth working together and felt Hogan was trying to steal her away from him.
They settled their differences in the ring at WrestleMania V, with Hogan winning the match and the title. They competed several more times in WWE and interacted in WCW. They produced magic in the ring, even while there was drama often outside of it.
Vince McMahon
From Hulkamania running wild and Vince McMahon claiming he created it, to Hogan leaving WWE for WCW and testifying against him in a steroid trial, Hogan and McMahon had a well-known, often contentious relationship.
Hogan was a star for McMahon, leading to the Rock 'n' Wrestling Era. After years with WWE, Hogan signed with WCW after departing the former. McMahon took it personally. Not only that, one of the most prominent figures to testify in the Steroid Trial in 1994 was Hogan. The WWE Hall of Famer received immunity from prosecution.
Hogan wouldn’t return to WWE until the early 2000s. The two would have a bloody match at WrestleMania XIX, with Hogan winning. Since then, the two had a working relationship that saw Hogan appear at various times for the company, even after McMahon’s departure.
The Rock
Hogan was the darling of the 1980s. The Rock became a superstar in the 90s and early 2000s and was on his way to becoming a film star. Both were at different points in their lives by the time Hogan returned to WWE in 2002 after Vince McMahon bought WCW.
Hogan returned to WWE as a member of the NWO. Though a heel, he was getting cheered at certain points. What better way to change that than by having him face The Rock, right? Tell that to Canada.
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The two icons met at WrestleMania 18 in Toronto. The atmosphere was electric. The crowd didn’t care that Hogan was a bad guy. He was their guy. Every move he made, they cheered, and Hogan fed off that. The end result was one of the most moving matches in WrestleMania history, with both landing every move they could think of.
The Rock hit a Rock Bottom at one point, and Hogan kicked out. The visual of the crowd going ballistic when Hogan “Hulked Up” will stand the test of time. Hogan landed a leg drop, but The Rock kicked out. The latter ended up winning, but those few minutes and the crowd work helped shape the match into something otherworldly.
Sting
Sting was the heart and soul of WCW before Hulk Hogan joined the promotion. They rarely interacted with one another until Hogan formed the New World Order.
In a six-man tag team match at Bash at the Beach in 1996, Hogan came down to the ring and betrayed WCW, attacking Randy Savage and Sting. He joined Kevin Nash and Scott Hall to form the New World Order.
Sting tried to fight back but wasn’t getting much support. He disappeared for a bit before debuting a Crow-like gimmick, stalking Hogan for over 18 months. The build to Starrcade in 1997 helped WCW tremendously. Sting beat Hogan at Starrcade for the WCW World Heavyweight Title.
They feuded and teamed together a few more times before WCW’s demise. The first match didn’t deliver due to politics, but the moments, from Sting taking on the whole NWO, to the presentation of both, made their interactions feel special.