What The Hell Is So Great About Hulk Hogan?

[BIGSEXYTHEGIANTKILLER]

I think the live audience contribute to making Hogans matches. You look at his matches with Warrior, Andre, Rock even McMahon they were all average matches but the crowd generated the electricity making them worth while.

 

[Kasey]

I don't know why people are bitching about "wrestling ability" every top draw that was ever in the WWE had only marginal wrestling abiltiy, from Bruno Sammertinto to Superstar Billy Graham to Hulk Hogan to now John Cena and Batista. Yes, they were not good in the ring, but they made money and that's why WWE rules the wrestling world today. So stop with the whole Hogan can't wrestle thing cause it doesn't matter.

No top draws with wrestling ability? Macho Man and Ric Flair were geared around wrestling predominantly in Hogan's era. Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels drew pretty well during WWF's revival in 1997 and they wrestle pretty good, do they not? Same with Undertaker, Rock, and Stone Cold. It's possible to have both wrestling talent AND a solid push in the ring.

 

[I_Heart_Princess_P]

Bret Hart and Shawn Micheals were champions during the lowest point in the company at that time. Undertaker,Stone Cold, and The Rock were NOT technical wrestling geniuses either.

 

[Kasey]

Bret Hart and Shawn Micheals were champions during the lowest point in the company at that time. Undertaker,Stone Cold, and The Rock were NOT technical wrestling geniuses either.

1997 was the turning of the tide for the WWF. 1996 was the lowest point. After the Attitude Era began they began to re-assert their ratings prowess and by the end of the year were prepped to run neck-and-neck with Nitro. And it wasn't that Nitro viewers switched over. It was just that WWF gained fresh viewers, and Michaels and Hart were two of the major talents at the forefront, with Michaels lasting all the way up to WM14 until his back gave out and they elevated Austin. No one ever said they were technical genuises...but they work circles around guys like Hogan, Cena, and Batista. My point is that it's not necessarily the talent that determines the success of the product, rather the direction of the product as a whole and the usage of said talent.

 

[hurricanej99]

The truth is that hogan was a god in his time and had a huge effect also when he joined the nwo but now seeing hiom kind of annoys me but he does bring some of the old fans back when he wrestle so if he keeps on doing that then he'll keep on wrestling go figure..........

 

[Jeremy Dick]

Nobody can work a crowd like Hulk Hogan. And that's what it all comes down to, right? In the 80's and 90's, it wasn't about moonsaults and leglocks, what was most important was how well you could work the crowd. If the moveset was most important in wrestling during that time, then guys like Dean Malenko should have been World Champion, right?

Truth is, while a lot of us here really care about technical wrestling, your average American doesn't. It just doesn't appeal to anybody other than the diehard wrestling fans. Whether we agree with it or not, charisma is most important when it comes to success in the wrestling business. Hulk was exploding with charisma which drew a lot of people in, making pro wrestling as successful as it is today. Even look at guys like The Rock and Stone Cold. While they had better movesets than Hulk, it was their charisma that got them over. It was their ability to make an entire crowd stand on their feet.

So when it comes down to it, in the world of 'sports entertainment', what matters most is a wrestler's ability to entertain. Hogan was so good at it that he turned an entire nation on to pro wrestling and put it in the spotlight. Hogan was able to make a crowd of 93,000 stand on their feet. His look, his physique, his attitude, there was just something about the guy that everybody loved.

 

[cas_159]

How can anyone of you trash Hogan he is the backbone of the wrestling if Hogan never made his impact in the wrestling buisness half of you would have tuned in (i can hear the backlash already) He was what drew you in and once you were watching you may have realized hey he sucks at wrestling but you still watched him why he always comes through at the end and if he never wrestled one single match do you think you would be tuning in NO.

Half of you who watch wrestling tuned in because of your dad or any older male figure(some of you are a little fruity) in your life. Why did they watch 1 simple reason Hogan made a impact and that will never be lost Never. Hate him or love him he is still the biggest draw in wrestling and this comes from someone who watchs wrestling for the wrestling but if i never saw hogan i would have never saw the likes of Kurt Angle,Bret Hart,Aj Styles,Samoa joe,Dean Malenko,Chris Beniot, i can name names but that list would be too long so if you think hogan can't wrestle your right but do not knock his hype he will always be the biggest draw in Wrestling. All Ihave to say is Watca you gonna do when Hulkamaina Runs wild on you

 

[lapel8533]

lol. Its funny how people have reduced wrestling down to one category-"wrestling." It was never about "that." At least not for the past 50 years. It's always been about good vs evil. Recently though(last decade) it has experienced a slight shift in what it's about. Wrestling was just the medium through which they did battle.

If I'm watching a movie about a knight rescuing a princess from an evil king, and they sword fight each other, I'm not gona root for the sword fighting i'm going to root for the knight to vanquish the evil king and rescue the princess.

 

[Prax]

Pretty much if you watched wrestling prior to 1992 Hogan is a big deal, if not then he's not such a big deal. Hogan is pretty much a superhero to kids who grew up in the 80s. Yes he's not really that great, especially now, but he was The Immortal Hulk Hogan. It was just incredible when most people were younger.

Even after 1992! He revolutionized the way we see the Heel. Did you ever think Hogan could turn heel? Seriously.

Heck, he had a part in bringing on the Attitude era in WWE when he was working in WCW!

 

[roachedemon]

first off wresting IMO was THE BEST EVER in the 80's...the characters were alot more appealing back then and Hulk Hogan was WRESTLING...for all yous who say Hogan sucked so bad in the ring you probally never seen his older matches...the guy was 300 lbs and fast, seriously...i don't expect fans from the 90s to really understand but if you were a wrestling fan in the 80s you would have an idea how great Hogan really was, his charisma was unmatched, btw McMahon didn't make Hogan, he definetly pushed Hogan but Hogan started in the AWA and was becoming a star before Vince

 

[lapel8533]

The wwe is about characters. The wrestlers are about characters. That's what the wwe specializes in and thats what most people(millions and millions) watch it for. They wouldn't tune in for any other reason. Watching it for any other reason would be silly.

You watch the show for some other reason than what the wwe is about and then come on here and criticize them for coming up short.
Grow up.

 

[bmurphy88]

If you don't think Hogan could wrestle back in the day than watch his matches in Japan. He did everything from hurricanranas to inziguiris (spelling?) to drop kicks. Over here he didn't have to do all that. He had the look, the charisma, the connection with the audience and the passion. That was more than enough to get him over big time. He was the hero of every single kid that watched wrestling. All the little kids wanted to be like him. Sure he can't do anything nowadays but even so, he gets the biggest ovations you will ever hear because of his past accomplishments and his still unmatched connection with the fans. Triple H said it best when he said "I don't care who comes and goes, there will never be another Hulk Hogan." And that is the simple truth.

Any pro wrestler that knows the business will say that it's never been about the moves you do in the ring.The quote of above is the absolute truth.It's about the connection with the fans.Hulk Hogan is the only person to completely master the art of being a heel and and a face.Think about t.If wrestling was just about doing cool moves,Nobody would watch it.It's always the connection the viewer has with that character that keeps em watching.

 

[99ws6]

All great wrestlers "entertainers" had that one thing that made them great. Brett Hart was an amazing wrestler, but didn't have the mic skills that Hulk Hogan had. It is plain and simple, if there was never a Hulk Hogan, wrestling would not be what it is today and may not have survived. Hogan WAS larger that wrestling itself. If he wants to come back twice a year and win a match, let him, I think he has deserved it. I am sick of all the people on this board bashing Hogan, and none of them have a good reason except, he sucks or he can't wrestle. Lets face it folks, weather you like him or not, he will still be around and the majority of people will go crazy every time the music hits and the red and yellow hits the ring. Everybody has their own opinions, but there is a better way to express them with reason, not just stating "He sucks". I'm sure a lot of people trashing him did not grow up in the late 80's and early 90's so you should have a different view point on him, but at least respect what he did do for the buisness.

 

[Wall_of_Jericho]

what the hell? what are you all, 10 years old? anyone older than 10 would damn sure know what the big deal about hulk hogan is. back in his hayday, wrestling was completely different from what it is now. he was a GOD. he went up against, and defeated guys like the iron sheik, sgt slaughter in his heel days, and guys that spoke against the USA. back then it was the good guys vs. the bad guys, and hogan beat all of the bad guys. he was looked up to by so many kids, carrying the american flag, the "hulk up" thing was the greatest thing known to man.

and why is he still a big deal now? why does he continue to get the biggest and best standing ovations? why do people chant his name for several minutes? its the nostalga factor. people like to remember the old days in which he was their hero. they cheer him now for what he did then. the way he talked, the way he walked, the way he acted. his poses, they still love the ''WELL YOU KNOW SOMETHING MEAN GENE" thing. yeah, it might have been a "right place at the right time" thing, but it was what it was. and he did his thing better than anyone in wrestling history.

I couldn't have said it better myself, all the things you just mentioned are all the reasons I like Hulk Hogan to. The guy was the ultimate good guy in the 80's and early 90's and even though they tried numerous times to make other guys the top good guys (Ultimate Warrior and Macho Man Randy Savage) the belt always found it's way back to the Hulkster somehow.

I still love hearing his music, makes me feel like a kid again when I hear "Real American" playing, i'm not even American lol, it's just a total nostalgia factor. And when I watch his matches from back in the day on the DVD's I have it just takes me back.

 

[BlackMamba24]

Hogan is/was the man...I liked him because he was just the guy. He had the look and had a charisma about him that just made you take attention.

 

[X]

Anybody who comes in here and can't see what's great about Hogan should just never watch wrestling again. What Hogan did for the business in the 80s and 90s is unbelivable and without him there would be no WWE. For those who say Hogan sucks as a wrestler, take a look at every other wrestler of this same period's style, and you'll see how wrong you are. Obviously Hogan can't match up to people like Ricky Steamboat and Ric Flair in terms of moves, but nobody and I mean nobody can put on a better main event than Hogan with the exception of maybe HBK and SCSA. His Wrestlemania battles with Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, Andre the Giant, Sgt. Slaughter, etc were all absolute classics. And for the argument that Hogan never puts anyone over...hello? He put over The Ultimate Warrior in the middle of Hulkamania at its wildest, in probably the biggest upset in wrestling history. Not to mention the times he's put over The Rock, the Undertaker, and so on.

For the arguments that Hogan should've put over Randy Orton, if you think that you are f**kin stupid. Randy Orton is a hell of a wrestler and he's got an awesome future ahead of him, but no way in hell does he deserve a win over Hogan in the first decade of his career, if ever.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Of course Orton should have won. His gimmick is that he's a legend killer. So surley he should beat the biggest legend in wrestling. Hogan is finished as an active wrestler, but a victory over him still mean's a lot. Orton will probably be wrestling in 10-15 year's time. Hogan wont. Older wrestler's should put over younger wrestler's.

It would'nt have killed Hulkamania if Orton had picked up the victory. But it would have helped Orton load's.

 

[justinsayne]

Of course Orton should have won. His gimmick is that he's a legend killer. So surley he should beat the biggest legend in wrestling. Hogan is finished as an active wrestler, but a victory over him still mean's a lot. Orton will probably be wrestling in 10-15 year's time. Hogan wont. Older wrestler's should put over younger wrestler's.

It would'nt have killed Hulkamania if Orton had picked up the victory. But it would have helped Orton load's.

I agree 100%, especially when you look at the fact that Hogan was wrestleing that match with a bum knee, Hogan should've put Orton over, because Orton is part of the future of the industry and if guys like Flair, Foley, Piper, Taker and other legends are putting him over why shouldn't Hogan do the same?

 

[X]

What did Randy Orton do to be put over Hogan when guys like Randy Savage were never put over by Hogan? Orton is great and everything, but him defeating Hogan this early in his career isn't realistic in my eyes. I still don't buy the wins Orton got over Foley. Besides, Randy Orton is a punk backstage and talks nothing but trash about the guys who built this business. You say Orton should've won, but I definately think somebody like Ron Simmons, whos been busting his ass for years for the WWE deserves something like that. Not a 2nd generation punk.

 

[lapel8533]

Here is a list of other guys hogan has put over, i'll also include the ones you already mentioned:
Kurt angle(tap out) goldberg, The ultimate warrior, brock lessner,rock and there was another one but I forgot..... I think that's enough.

 

[A.J.]

I guess we can start calling this threat the Randy orton/ Hogan one haha but anyhew Hogan only puts over guys who he feels is somewhat established and he sill looks good in the process. I guess he didnt feel that with Orton

Like everyone says hes the Legend Killer and him beating Hogan would not have hurt Hogan and just added to Randy who is a 3rd genertaion star. And Taker did lay down for Orton but he would not at WM21 which would have made him a real Legend Killer. Hogan still feels he draw and deserve the top money and truth is he cant work that well in the ring like Flair can and liek Flair he needs to lie down to the up and commers

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Hogan did put over Savage in a way. He let him have a year long title reign when he really did'nt need to. He also put over The Warrior. Both were'nt the best way to put over a superstar but he still put them over.

 

[Reef]

Hogan is a legend, he put sports entertainment on the map, if you dont know anything, do a bit of research. "Woogle it or Pickedpedia it".

I think its the 7-16 years olds now who dont like hogan for one reason or another, my opinion due to lack of know how about hogan, who he was, what he is. The guy is a legend, alongside RIC FLAIR (bows down to both). I would have been so bored watching wrestling in the 80's if it was not for hogan and the like. Back then wrestlers had passion for the business. Now its about breast implants, power ranger outfits, and abused racist / stereo typing angles.

gasperex: hype ? ...., shall i tell you who was 'hype' WARRIOR (C)(R)(TM) steroid enduced moron.

So many young wrestling fans (as expected), dont know how, who or where about the business.

The 80's era till mid 90's will never die, now its just a live soap show. Sickens me.

 

[Kasey]

Hogan's legacy is undeniable in terms of what he did in a positive manner for the business. There are also some definite black-eyes that he has left on it as well. Steroid usage...which he blatantly lied about for a long time. Hotdogging the WCW belt (which he had no business carrying during a ratings war WCW got spanked in because Hogan couldn't wrestle for shit any longer and the WWF title scene was 3x better), and just staying in the game too long and embarrassing himself in the ring (observe the majority of his matches since 1990). I don't care if he still gets gimmie pops every time he stumbles out to the ring. His matches are a friggin' embarrassment. I was the biggest Hogan fan as a kid, like many were and many still are. That's why it pains me most of all to see him hang around too long. For me, the REAL Hogan was done at Wrestlemania 6. Everything since then has been a joke to me.

 

[Intensity]

I have never been a fan of Hogan, but I grew up watching wrestling in the 80's and he was larger than life. He is charasmatic on the mic, but never has had much talent in the ring. Hogan is an icon because McMahon made his legacy. The guy held the heavyweight title for damn near close to a decade. For better or for worse, the wrestling business will never see a phenomenon like Hulk Hogan again.

I agree also. You couldn't put a price on how popular Hogan was in the 80's. Everyone had Hulkamania shirts, and were doing the Hogan impressions, everywhere you went, literally. I was talking to my dad and he said that a lot of his co-workers back in the 80's were doing Hogan impressions. Kinda pointless but to me, it says that Hulkamania was larger than life back then, and I don't think it will ever die. When he wrestled Orton at SummerSlam 06, the fans were STILL cheering for him. The guy hardly makes an apperance for WWE and whenever he did/does, he always gets a huge pop.

So to me, whether you like him or hate him, Hulkamania will never die. Hogan maybe past his prime as far as being in the ring, but just his legacy and the infamous Hulkamania spirit will never die. I just don't see it happening.

Also, Hogan body slamming Andre at Wrestlemania 3 was historic and you can't say it wasn't.