Hulk Hogan's Legacy: 5 Iconic Matches That Shaped Wrestling History

The world of professional wrestling has lost a titan. Hulk Hogan, the larger-than-life icon who defined an era with his charisma and raw power, passed away at the age of 71 on Thursday. Known for making 'Hulkamania' a cultural phenomenon, Hogan's legacy in the ring is nothing short of legendary. Today, we reflect on five unforgettable matches that cemented his place in wrestling history.

1. The Slam Heard Around the World (1987)
Picture this: 1987, Pontiac Silverdome, Michigan. Hogan faces off against the colossal Andre the Giant for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. At 525 pounds, Andre was an immovable force—until Hogan, in a moment etched in eternity, scooped and slammed the giant to the mat. A signature leg-drop later, Hogan pinned Andre, creating what many still call the pinnacle of WWE history. It wasn’t just a match; it was a seismic shift in wrestling.

2. The Ultimate Showdown (1990)
Fast forward to 1990 in Toronto, where Hogan collided with The Ultimate Warrior in a battle of fan-favorites. With Hogan’s WWF title and Warrior’s Intercontinental Championship on the line, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The Warrior emerged victorious, handing Hogan his first clean pinfall loss in nearly a decade. It was a passing of the torch, wrapped in mutual respect and electric energy.

3. Patriotism in the Ring (1991)
During the Gulf War era, Hogan faced Sgt. Slaughter, a character painted as an Iraqi sympathizer. The match turned personal when Slaughter tried to pin Hogan while clutching the Iraqi flag. Hogan, fueled by patriotic fervor, kicked out, tore the flag apart, and delivered his iconic leg-drop to claim his third championship. Waving the American flag in victory, he turned the ring into a symbol of national pride.

4. The Heel Turn That Shocked the World (1996)
At a WCW event in Daytona Beach, Hogan stunned fans in a tag-team match alongside Kevin Nash and Scott Hall against Randy Savage, Sting, and Lex Luger. Expected to be the hero, Hogan instead turned heel, smashing Savage with double leg-drops and revealing himself as the mystery third partner of the New World Order (nWo). The crowd’s rage was palpable as debris rained into the ring—a betrayal that redefined wrestling storytelling.

5. A Clash of Eras (2002)
In the early 2000s, Hogan returned to the WWE, only to face the rising star, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, in Toronto’s Rogers Centre. The roar of the crowd rivaled historic sports moments as these two icons squared off. The Rock ultimately prevailed, a nod of respect to the veteran, but their post-match embrace spoke volumes—a unity that transcended generations and electrified fans.

Hogan’s career wasn’t just about body slams and championships; it was about moments that made us believe in heroes, villains, and the unpredictable drama of the ring. His absence leaves a void, but his legacy? That’s immortal.