10 Greatest WWE Champions Ever
2. Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan's first WWE Title reign remains the primary reason the industry looks and feels the way it does to this very day. Modern North American professional wrestling was completely reshaped under the ruthless capitalistic leadership of Vince McMahon, and his poster boy of choice was an inch-perfect selection for the time, place and position.
Like all iconic tenures with the title, the best reflection on it remains in the reaction to its termination. After four years portraying the great and good of Americana, Hogan the (Andre The) Giant-slayer was robbed by the corrupt 7-footer and his Million Dollar backer Ted Dibiase. The shock and awe from those in attendance was seismic, as too was the show's impact on the national conciseness that night.
The 1988 NBC 'Main Event' that housed their rematch drew 33 million viewers for a 15.2 rating share, never matched even during the redefining record-shattering pomp of the Attitude Era. Publicly shamed and defamed 30 years later hasn't altered an overriding perception - for many, Hulk Hogan still is professional wrestling as a result.