Ranking Hulk Hogan's WrestleMania Matches - From Worst To Best
Whatcha gonna do when The Hulkster and WrestleMania run wild on you?
Without Hulk Hogan, the grand event known to millions around the globe as WrestleMania would not exist.
Inaugurated in 1985, the event was the perfect mix of mainstream celebrity and professional wrestling and Hogan was the man who bridged the gap between the two. He was a charismatic persona, a character that appealed to fans beyond the scope of pro wrestling. He was absolutely integral in selling the idea of a celebrity-infused extravaganza to the audience while simultaneously promoting WWE on talk shows, on radio shows and even during an edition of Saturday Night Live.
As the event grew and evolved, Hogan guided it, the biggest star and the sport's greatest attraction. Hulkamania ran wild through the first nine events, then returned for its 18th before wrestling his final match at the event he helped grandfather in 2003.
With The Hulkster in the news for all the wrong reasons of late, relive his enormous contributions to the event we will all celebrate on April 3 with these, his epic WrestleMania encounters, ranked from worst to best according to match quality and historical significance.
12. WWE Championship Match: Hulk Hogan Vs. Yokozuna - WrestleMania 9
Hulk Hogan's worst WrestleMania match is also his most notorious, the greatest example of his ego running wild at the expense of a youthful roster and Vince McMahon's New Generation.
Moments after Bret Hart had the WWE Championship stolen from him, courtesy of Mr. Fuji and a handful of salt to the eyes, The Hulkster came to his aid. The new champion inexplicably challenged Hogan to an impromptu match, his hubris getting the best of him. Then, in one of the most unexpected endings in WrestleMania history, Hogan ducked another salt attack, hit Yokozuna with a clothesline and pinned him for the title following a big leg drop.
The audience in Las Vegas erupted but more attentive, die-hard wrestling fans watching around the country recognized the moment for what it was: one last grasp effort by an aging mega-star to stay in the spotlight while simultaneously keeping the young generation of stars from surpassing him.