Hulk Hogan has to be considered the most influential wrestler ever. Before Hogan, Vince McMahon was just a guy with a vision. With Hogan, McMahon was a guy with an empire. The phenomenon of Hulkamania elevated the entire WWF into something that had never been seen before, a pro wrestling company that sold out arenas throughout the world and sold merchandise in revenue streams that promoters hadn't even dreamed existed. Hulk influenced so many copycats that it's laughable, but only his charismatic presence achieved true superstardom in the 84-98 era. So many guys got into wrestling because they were fans of him and nearly every man and woman on the street has heard of him. His influence in the industry has pretty much gave him the run of any company he's been involved in this past three decades. What McMahon learned with Hogan has been applied ever since, with all superstars being built around commercial merchandise and franchising opportunities. The Hulkster is the one who the entire industry as we know it has been built upon.
