10 Biggest "What If" Scenarios In WWE History
2. What If The Iron Sheik Defeated Hulk Hogan In 1984?
Few things altered the course of professional wrestling like Hulkamania. Hulk Hogan’s successes not only made him a pro-wrestling icon, but launched WWE into a golden era of success, and it all kicked-off in January 1984.
The Iron Sheik had recently defeated Bob Backlund to become WWE Champion. He was the sport’s most hated man at the time, and his pro-Iran, anti-American persona made for a tremendous heel act.
Across him was Hogan, who emerged to a gigantic pop in Madison Square Garden and deposed the reviled Champion in one of his career’s biggest moments. Hogan broke Sheik’s feared Camel Clutch, ran to the ropes, and finished him off with his patented leg drop. He was WWE Champion, and as Hogan celebrated in the ring, Gorilla Monsoon announced, “Hulkamania is here!”
Hogan held the belt for four years and became the dominant wrestling titan fans know today, but it’s hard to imagine Hulkamania existing without the Sheik. He was never anything more than a transitional champ, but Sheik was the perfect villain, and there’s no better way to build-up the ultimate all-American babyface than by having him overcome his diametric opposite.
It’d be foolish to suggest that Hogan’s career wouldn’t have eventually taken off without this win, but his success would certainly have been delayed. Hulkamania was vital for WWE’s rise in the ‘80s, the birth of WrestleMania, and for the industry as a whole. Without that win over the Sheik, there’s a slight chance it would never have happened, but a strong chance it’d have been delayed indefinitely.