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WWE History Volume 6: Hulkamania Running Wild

Hulk Hogan in the 1980s
Hulk Hogan in the 1980s

Pro Wrestling had enjoyed a long history of success prior to the 1980s and the rise of what was then referred to as the World Wrestling Federation to global prominence.

The idea of sports entertainment rose from the carnival side shows and legitimate wrestling contests alike.

Professional wrestling matches in the early days were shoots, real athletic contests which pitted expert grapplers against one another. Matches could take up to two hours to complete, and often involved both participants spending long amounts of time resting on the mat.

In the carnivals, wrestling involved strongmen and trained amateur wrestlers who would accept challenges from the crowd. In order to draw attention to themselves, the wrestlers often had larger than life names and characters.

Eventually the two worlds combined, and pro wrestling benefitted greatly from the emerging television medium. Early stars involved men like Gorgeous George and Bobo Brazil.

Pro wrestling had a boom period after World War II, but by the late 1970s had descended somewhat into fringe entertainment. While wrestling was still big business, the regional system often prevented major stars from traveling too far from their territory.

Despite this, there were still major wrestling Superstars, like Roddy Piper or Nature Boy Ric Flair. But even these august personages cannot compare to the popularity, the charisma, and sheer mass media appeal of one man: Hulk Hogan.

But Hulkamania didn't just fall from the sky. It was deliberately created, cultivated, and allowed to flourish in the then-WWF thanks to one part marketing, one part a larger than life man in the Hulkster himself, and more than a little bit of great timing and luck.

Here is the story of the phenomenon which swept America, then the world, in the 1980s. This is the story of Hulkamania.


#1 Hogan the Villain?

In his early career, Hulk Hogan was known as Sterling Golden and Terry
In his early career, Hulk Hogan was known as Sterling Golden and Terry "Hulk" Bollea

Hulkamania would get its start in 1983, but many fans may not realize that Hulk Hogan had already had a run with the company once before.

From 1979-1980, Hulk Hogan wrestled for the then-WWF. However, he did so as a hated heel.

Hogan was assigned Freddy Blassie as his manager, and proceeded to run roughshod on the babyfaces of the WWE mid-card. He challenged for the world title but was unsuccessful.

Hogan's biggest feud during his first WWE run was against Andre The Giant, which culminated in a show down at Madison Square Garden.

The Hulkster would go on in search of greener pastures, but would return to the WWE a few years later. Only this time, he would be pushed as the company's top star--as a baby face.

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