Hulk Hogan may possibly be known as the greatest profesional wrestler of all time.
Hulkamania started when Hulk Hogan played the part of Thunder Lips in Rocky III. After playing that part, Hulk Hogan's popularity began to grow. World Wrestling Federation owner Vince McMahon saw this and made the former heel a face.
Hulk Hogan began his first title reign on January 24, 1984 by defeating the Iron Sheik in Madison Square Gardens. He held the title for 4 years defending it against the WWF's top superstars including The Million Dollar Man, The Macho Man Randy Savage, and the match which many consider to be the greatest match in the history of the WWF; Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant, in front of 93,000 fans at Wrestle Mania III. The fans who packed the Pontiac Silverdome that day exploded when 6'7, 300 pound Hulk Hogan picked up and slammed 7'5, 500 pound Andre the Giant. Wrestle Mania III held the record for the largest attendence in an indoor event until the Pope came to St.Louis in 1999.
Hulk Hogan's first title reign finally ended when he was beaten by Andre the Giant. Andre tried to sell the belt to The Million Dollar Man but the WWF did not allow this and held the belt up in a tournament at Wrestle Mania IV.
Hulk Hogan faced Andre the Giant in the tournament but they were both disqulified due to unsportsman like conduct.
The Macho Man went on to win the belt and became a tag team partner with Hulk Hogan. Their team was called the Mega Powers. The Mega Powers started off good but began to dispute over Miss Elizabeth and went on to face each other at Wrestle Mania V. Hulk Hogan defeated the Macho Man and started his second title reign.
The Hulkster's second title regin ended a year later at Wrestle Mania VI when he lost to the Ultimate Warrior. The Warrior then lost the belt to Sargeant Slaughter and this started a feud between the Hulkster and Slaughter.
Slaughter ruled with an iron fist and was supposed to be a traitor to the country. (this was happening durring desert storm) Hulk Hogan has always had the image as an American superhero so these two were bound to colide and did at Wrestle Mania VII. Hogan defeated Sargeant Slaughter at Wrestle Mania VII and started his third title regin.
Hogan's third title regin ended when he lost to the Undertaker at Survivor Series but Hogan won the belt back a few days later to start his fourth title regin. Hogan never lost the belt to end his fourth title regin. He left to make a movie so the WWF held the belt up at Royal Rumble 1992. Ric Flair won the Royal Rumble and became the new champion.
Hogan won the title for the fifth and last time at Wrestle Mania IX. He beat Yokozuna in 9 seconds to win it. His fifth title reign ended in 1993 when he lost to Yokozuna a few weeks later. Hogan was then fired by Vince McMahon and was ready to retire.
Luckily, Ted Turner hired Hulk Hogan. This would help not only Hogan, but the whole WCW. He won his first match in WCW defeating Ric Flair and winning the World Title.
Hogan was basically always the champion in WCW but the fans weren't responding to his character anymore. He would come out and actually recieve boos.
At the 1996 Bash at the Beach, Hogan leg dropped the Macho Man and teamed up with the Outsiders, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. Hulkamania died and the fans booed Hogan for turning his back on them. The harsh truth is, Hogan did not turn his back on the fans, the fans turned their backs on Hulk Hogan. If they continued to respond to his character as they always did, he would still be good today. The reason Hogan has made such a good heel is because there is nothing worse than a traitor.
I believe that one of these days, Hulkamania will return and will dominate the wrestling world once again.