10 Best Moments From Hulk Hogan's 2002 WWE Return

1. That Night In Toronto

WrestleMania 18 remains one of the most memorable show in the history of the WWE, for no other reason than one match and one match alone: Hollywood Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock.

Never before had there been a match like this. Promoted as Icon vs. Icon, the normal hype train hyperbole of the WWE was espousing 100% facts. This was a meeting between two of the biggest stars in the industry. As important as this bout was perceived by both the fans and the company to be, no one could have possibly anticipated how it could have played out, or the ramifications on the industry once the closing bell rang.

While The Rock would go on to win the match, Hulk Hogan was unquestionably the winner in this exchange. The Hulkster was reborn this night, and the love he received would be replicated in every arena that WWE touched down in for the coming months.

In addition, this match kicked off the greatest era of Hogan’s career as a worker; breaking free of The NWO and allowing him to compete in singles matches with some of the biggest stars of The Ruthless Aggression Era. Gone was the politicking, the ego, and the refusal to “do the honors”, replaced with a Hulkster that was content to bask in the adulation of his adoring fans and listen to those he was doing business with.

The merchandising machine that is the WWE began printing shirts with the slogan “Hulk Still Rules”. Because of that night in Toronto, that wasn’t just a catch phrase, it was fact.