The 7 Defining Matches of Hulk Hogan's Career

The wrestling world said goodbye to a legend last week. Hulk Hogan - 12 time world champion, two time WWE Hall of Famer, and one of the most iconic figures to ever step inside a ring, died at age 71. Hogan was more than just a superstar, he was a cultural phenomenon. His charisma helped launch WWE into the mainstream during the '80s, and his influence on professional wrestling is impossible to overstate. From the Golden Era of Hulkamania to the NWO heel turn, his legacy was forged across generations. These are seven defining matches and moments that shaped Hulk Hogan's Hall of Fame in-ring career.

Date: April 1, 1990
Location: SkyDome, Toronto

Hulk Hogan was set to meet Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI, while both men were fan favorites, they were not exactly known for their technical prowess. What unfolded was one of the most unforgettable main events in WrestleMania history.

In rare matchup between two good guys, Hogan carried the pacing, guiding Warrior through the match that kept more than 67,000 fans on the edge of their seats. He connected with his trademark leg drop late in the match, but Warrior managed to dodge it. Hogan followed up with a splash, and the referee counted three. The match was billed as a "passing of the torch." Hogan left the ring handing Warrior both belts and walked away, for a moment.

While he would return shortly, Hogan's performance showcased his skill as a storyteller. Most wrestling fans, don't quickly look at this match as one of his greatest, but it was definitely one of Hogan's best performances inside the squared circle.

Date: April 2, 1989
Location: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City

Prior to their fallout Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage, were known as "The Mega Powers", lighting up arenas across the country, defeating powerhouses like Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant. However, jealousy quickly broke this team apart; more specifically jealousy around Savage's manager, Miss Elizabeth.

At Saturday Night Main Event on February 3, 1989, Savage finally snapped. A year's worth of built up tension erupted into betrayal, setting the stage for WrestleMania V to be the showdown for this deeply personal war. By the end of the match, Hogan bled, Savage raged and Elizabeth was torn between them. It was storytelling at its best. Hogan ended up as victor, but the weight of the feud and the drama elevated both stars. Hogan's talent to sell betrayal and redemption through his facial expressions reminded fans why he was more than just muscles and catchphrases.

Date: June 11, 1984
Location: WCW Bash at the Beach Press Conference & Event

By the mid-90s, Hulkamania wasn't what it once was, but it still had traction. Hogan and WWE eventually parted ways in 1993. WCW quickly jumped at the chance to sign him. Eric Bischoff, WCW's senior VP knew what he was doing, it wasn't just about wrestling but about ratings and legitimacy for WCW. Hogan's debut was electric. A full-blown parade. WCW brought in Mr. T, Muhammad Ali, and Shaquille O'Neal to signal the moment.

He then faced Ric Flair at Bash at the Beach and the match proved that WCW was a serious threat to WWE. This was the second time Hogan changed the landscape.

Date: January 23, 1984
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City

This is the night where wrestling was changed forever. On a cold winter night in New York, Hulk Hogan pinned The Iron Sheik and became WWF Champion for the first time. The win was the launchpad for a cultural movement. Vince McMahon had a vision for a national expansion, and Hulk Hogan was the man for the job. Hogan was marketed into a household name. The rise of Hulkamania paralleled WWE's explosion into pop culture and it all started at MSG.

Date: March 17, 2002
Location: SkyDome, Toronto

Eighteen years after he shocked the world at the SkyDome, Hogan returned to Toronto and faced off against The Rock in a match sold as "Icon vs. Icon." The match was more about legacy than titles. The crowd was popping and surprisingly pro-Hogan. Despite performing as the heel in the New World Order, fans showed him love.

The Rock adapted on the fly, taking on the villain role, while Hogan played the fan favorite. It was an old school versus new school match, and the energy was unmatched. While Hogan did lose to The Rock, this match served as a career renaissance. He rode the wave to another title run, proving that nobody could work a crowd like Hulk Hogan.

Date: July 7, 1996
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida

The heel turn of Hulk Hogan is definitely the most shocking heel turn in professional wrestling history. Hogan flipped the script on his character and helped launch WCW into its hottest period ever. Kevin Nash and Scott Hall of the "The Outsiders" had invaded WCW, teasing a third man. During Bash at the Beach's six-man tag match, Hogan made his entrance hitting the leg drop on Randy Savage, leaving the arena in disbelief. The boos were deafening. The NWO was born and with it, Hogan went from superhero to Hollywood Hogan - the greatest villain in wrestling.

Date: March 29, 1987
Location: Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit

This is probably the most epic moment of Hulk Hogan's legacy. 93,173 fans packed the Silverdome to witness Hogan defending the WWE Championship against Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III. Andre the Giant had recently turned heel. The match was all about the drama, size, and aura. Late in the match, Hogan, using every ounce of his strength, body-slammed the 520-pound Giant - a moment that has been replayed in WWE history packages. He followed it up with a leg drop and retained his title.

Hulk Hogan was not just a headline attraction, he created headline matches. From Madison Square Garden to the SkyDome, from body slams to betrayals, Hogan's matches changed the landscape of professional wrestling and introduced the world to sports entertainment.