10 Best WWE Redemption Stories

Having left of his own accord under the promise of a fatter pay-cheque, Hulk Hogan wasn't exactly wronged by WWE in the run-up to his departure in 1994.

With Vince McMahon then taking the opportunity to usher in a new generation of streamlined stars in his absence, however, he was still in some ways the villain of the piece (and would later become an actual villain after turning heel, and joining up with the New World Order, a couple of years later).

After re-signing their former franchise player after the collapse of WCW, WWE officials were clearly very much of the opinion that the Hulkster would no longer carry the same pulling power as he did a decade earlier - hence, for his WrestleMania X8 date with The Rock, he was marketed as the bad guy.

And yet, on the night of 17 March 2002, Hogan received such a rapturous reception from the Toronto crowd that he and his opponent were forced, mid-match, to flip the script. It was proof that Hulkamania was still alive, and the man behind it still one of wrestling's most beloved sons.