"Hulkamania Is Here!"

-"Hulkamania Is Here!"-
(Announcer Gorilla Monsoon, Hulk Hogan vs The Iron Sheik, 1984)
Whether a wrestling fan or not, the whole world knows at least one wrestler and its usually Terry Bollea, known globally as superstar Hulk Hogan.

Hulk Hogan was one of the very first pro-wrestlers to receive worldwide recognition and acclaim. Though many wrestlers throughout the 80's were stars in their own right and were far better technical performers, Hogan was an international phenomenon, introduced to much of the world through his wacky "Thunderlips" role in Rocky III.

When Vince McMahon Jr bought the World Wrestling Federation from his father, he immediately sought to change the face of the business into a global entertainment franchise, dubbing his wrestlers "Superstars" and becoming fixated on the role that marketing and merchandise would play in expanding his business from a faux-sport to a crossover form of entertainment, part athleticism, action movie and rock show, all bright lights/big city.

McMahon saw Hulk Hogan, with his incredible frame and infectious charisma as the man to lead pro-wrestling into this new direction. Upon buying the company, Vince took the heavyweight title from long-time champ Bob Backlund and placed it on the villainous Iron Sheik. This led to a match between the self-belief proverb spouting red white and blue of The Hulkster versus the evil Iranian, twirly moustached villain (Those who do not know will soon get to learn pro-wrestling is as sensitive as a tea party between Hitler, the Ku Klux Klan and Mel Gibson)

During the match, Hogan broke the Sheik's feared Camel Clutch hold and started his soon to be regular routine match comeback. With a running leg drop of the ropes, Hogan pinned the Sheik to claim the WWF Heavyweight Championship.
Longtime announcer Gorilla Monsoon stated the above quotation and it was on. Hogan appeared repeatedly on WWF television espousing the virtues of "The training, the prayers and the vitamins" to his fanbase "The Hulkamaniacs" Hogan made regular appearances on MTV, mainstream television shows and in lifestyle magazines, he became the flag bearer for American pro-wrestling and a true global superstar, gaining a variety of merchandise and even THE WORLD'S MOST HORRIBLE CARTOON...

Hulk Hogan is a shameless self promoter and a man with questionable, but effective practices of ensuring he is, and will always be, one of the guys "on top" of the business.
Regardless, it cannot be denied that his legacy is solidly etched the annals of pro-wrestling history. Hogan had the look, the voice and the ability to make the fans come out in droves and, coincidentally, buy a helluva lot of T-shirts. Hogan was also one of the first of many WWF performers to work main event matches using mostly body language and psychology, whilst actually performing very little in the way of physical action. A lost art that would save many lives if it were still around today.

McMahon was off and running. No other promoter stood a chance.
"Brotha!"