Nobody in the history of WWE has had more WrestleMania main events than Hulk Hogan. The Hulkster currently holds the record for headlining the Show of Shows on eight different occasions. He main evented the inaugural WrestleMania with Mr. T against Paul Orndoff and Roddy Piper way back in 1985.
Hogan’s growing popularity coincided with the success of WrestleMania as WWE’s flagship pay-per-view event. The Real American collided with some of the biggest names on the Grandest Stage of Them All. Most of these matches drew huge numbers for the company. Let’s take a look at some of Hulk Hogan’s best matches at WrestleMania.
Vs. Vince McMahon (WrestleMania XIX)
The combined age of Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon was more than 100 when they collided at WrestleMania XIX. Still, the pair managed to entertain the crowd with a solid 20-minute match. And not just a match, but a Street Fight.
McMahon busted himself wide open during the match, as did Hogan. Shane McMahon showed up with a genuine look of concern on his face. McMahon’s leg drop off of the ladder onto Hogan through the announcer’s table was one of the highlights of this match.
Vs. The Ultimate Warrior (WrestleMania VI)
The lead-up to WrestleMania VI saw The Ultimate Warrior’s rise to superstardom. The superstar ended Honky Tonk Man’s record-setting Intercontinental Championship run. Warrior’s charisma and popularity made a clash with Hulk Hogan all but inevitable.
The two titans collided in the main event of WrestleMania VI. This was the first time two reigning champions had walked into a WrestleMania main event with both titles up for grabs. Warrior would cleanly beat Hogan to become a double champion on that historic night.
Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage (WrestleMania V)
The Hogan-Savage rivalry has its own place in pro wrestling’s greatest feuds. The two men formed The Mega Powers months leading up to WrestleMania V. Jealousy, however, raised its ugly head, causing the alliance to fully implode in time for the big event.
The two former tag team partners collided for the WWE Championship in the main event of WrestleMania V. Kudos to the Macho Man for carrying the Hulkster to one of the better matches of his illustrious career.
Vs. Andre the Giant (WrestleMania III)
This is the match that set the bar for the epic staring contest in WWE. Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant were two of the biggest draws in the industry during the eighties. Their rivalry saw both men in the main event of WrestleMania III.
Nearly 78,000 fans packed Michigan’s Pontiac Silverdome to watch the epic David versus Goliath clash. This may not be the greatest match from in-ring work rate, but it is no doubt the pinnacle of the eighties professional wrestling due to the sheer drawing power of the two stars.
Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock (WrestleMania X8)
No Way Out 2002 marked the arrival of the nWO in WWE. Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash arrived in their former promotion following the demise of WCW. The arrival of the trio planted the seeds for two major matches at WrestleMania X8.
Hall squared off against Steve Austin in one match. The other bout saw Hogan battle The Rock. The 68,000-strong crowd was absolutely electric for the Hulkster. The pro-Hogan reaction prompted both men to improvise the match.
Together, they delivered one of the greatest WrestleMania matches of all time. Rocky made Hogan look great with his excellent selling and character work. The tremendous fan reaction made the atmosphere even better.
Truly an all-time classic!
Also read: ‘Greatest’ Lies Hulk Hogan Has Told
