9. Hulk Hogan Is Honoured At Madison Square Garden
The importance of Hulk Hogan and Madison Square Garden in pro wrestling history is enormous. The Garden was where Vince McMahon built his empire, and Hulk Hogan was the sensation who delivered the building blocks. Hulkamania was born when Hogan pinned The Iron Sheik for the WWF title at a Garden show in January 1984. Off the back of that, WrestleMania was born. That event first emanated from Madison Square Garden, way back in 1985. Recognising the importance of Hulk Hogan as a draw at Madison Square Garden, the WWE paid tribute to him with a special show in February 2015. The fact that this show wasn't broadcast made it even more special - you literally had to be there. Reports say that fans were in tears as WWE and MSG officials honoured Hogan's contributions to the business. The New York fans are some of wrestling's most passionate, and they all grew up with Hogan as their guy. People reportedly teared up, as Hogan was awarded with a ceremonial banner in the Garden rafters. Unfortunately, the banner was all a pro wrestling work. It was removed the next day, proving that WWE will manipulate nostalgia to any purpose. The tribute hadn't really been about honouring Hogan, instead it was all a gimmick to sell tickets to the nostalgia hungry New York fans.
