Hulk Hogan was already a hugely popular wrestler, both in the AWA and WWE, by the time January 23, 1984 arrived. He had made a name for himself as the top babyface on the national scene thanks to Hulkamania but needed the heavyweight championship of the world to really put him over the top. Verne Gagne, the legendary wrestler and promoter of the aforementioned AWA refused to book him to win the title, not believing that he could carry the promotion from an in-ring perspective. Vince McMahon, recognizing the money to be made off of the phenomenon that was Hulkamania, jumped on the opportunity to steal Hogan away from the Minnesota-based territory and push him to the top of the industry. He did just that, booking Hogan to go over The Iron Sheik on that January night in Madison Square Garden. "Hulkamania has arrived!" the great Gorilla Monsoon exclaimed on commentary, and it had. The WWE Championship catapulted Hogan into mainstream consciousness. He became a phenomenon thanks to his status as champion. Hogan was going to be a star. He was too charismatic, had too much of a connection with fans not to. What he would not have become was the transcendent star that he did. That title, along with the mass marketing machine that Vince McMahon threw behind his new champion, was key to the development of Hogan as an iconic figure in American pop culture.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
