Who REALLY Carried WWE Every Year (1985-2026)

40. 1987 (Hulk Hogan)

Think of this as a continuation from...you get the point.

However, you might be shocked to learn that this is the last year Hulk carried for a good few. WrestleMania I and II had done cracking business for the WWF, but no-one was prepared for what McMahon had in store for the third entry. He booked the cavernous Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan for his latest supercard, and Vince even coaxed old warhorse Andre The Giant into a heel role opposite Hogan in the main event.

It's said that Paul Orndorff was in reserve on the off chance Andre said no or fell ill/got hurt en route to the pay-per-view. Thankfully, the big man made it to Pontiac, just in time for everyone to see "the disdain" (credit: Gorilla Monsoon) on his face as he glared across the ring at his old mate Hulkster.

Mr. Red & Yellow struggled to get much of a match out of the lumbering, pained Giant, but pure quality wasn't the appeal. Larger than life "sports entertainment" very much was. That's what people paid their cash to see. They were witnessing a spectacle, not a display of wrestling prowess.

Hogan was the star man yet again, and he'd continue that momentum post-WrestleMania by tangling with Andre's team on the brand new Survivor Series show at the end of '87. Wrestling fans just couldn't get enough of Hulk, but something had to give someday. Newness was needed atop the federation roster, and it'd take someone with serious charisma and skill to step in.

Enter...