10 WWE Matches That Delivered On Their Massive Hype

2. Hulk Hogan Vs. André The Giant - WrestleMania III

WarGames NXT
wwe.com

Re-watching this match, it's hard not to snort as Bob Uecker announced a "one-hour" time limit. This was never going an hour. It was never going to be a mechanical classic.

The WWF promised a meeting between the Irresistible Force Vs. the Immovable Object - an unpredictable mega-match in which something unthinkable had to happen. Either Hulkamania was to die, or the most unconquerable wrestling force ever was to be conquered. It didn't matter that the premise was built on a lie; with no internet and only a minute newsletter circulation, you couldn't smell the bullsh*t.

It also didn't matter that the preceding 11:52 of the 12:01 match consisted of nought else but a physically deteriorated André slowly stalking Hogan, who to his credit did work hard to create the illusion of some action. His selling was histrionic but believable, his comebacks timed to his peerless perfection - at least in terms of eliciting a crowd response. It only mattered that the WWF delivered; they created an iconic moment that buttressed the company as a cultural cornerstone, and generated unprecedented revenue.

The unthinkable did happen, and André's manager, Bobby Heenan, sold it wonderfully. As he headed to the back in a cart, he held his head in his hands the whole way.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!