50 Fascinating Facts About WWE in The 1980s
49. Hulk Hogan Didn’t Go Babyface Until 1984
Most wrestling fans worldwide who either lived through the era or have gobbled it up via WWE Network/Peacock/Netflix/old VHS tapes/DVDs (pick your medium!) would agree that the 80s belonged to Hulkamania. However, that wasn't even really a thing until after Hogan had won the WWF Title from The Iron Sheik in January 1984. In truth, it took until halfway through the decade for Hulk to become the man.
He'd been an arrogant heel for years before going baby. The turn came when Hogan rushed out to save happy go lucky face Bob Backlund from a vicious Sheik attack. Bob endorsed Hulk as the right guy to cut the heel menace down, and the WWF never looked back. Hogan beat Sheik to bag the belt, then he coined the Hulkamania term before using it to pad his bank account and company coffers to the tune of millions.
It's easy to think back to the 80s and say that entire 10 year period belonged to Hulk. That isn't strictly true. If anything, he didn't truly come into his own as the franchise player until around midway through the decade. Being fair, Hogan's brand did dominate everything from 1984 onwards. It'd prove troublesome for McMahon and cohorts to move on from Hulk well into the 90s, put it that way.
The thought of Hulk Hogan being a villain at any point during the 80s might be tough for some to grasp. Again though, he didn't go baby until saving Backlund from Sheik and vowing revenge on the placeholder champ.