Ranking EVERY WWE Champion From Worst To Best
1. Hulk Hogan
Carrying a combination of box office and audience popularity in equal measure, Hulk Hogan was the most influential professional North American pro wrestler during an era so influential that it positioned WWE as the market leader in the industry forever.
A dream for the Reagan 80s era, Hogan was the smiling face and jacked physique of an empire on an inexorable rise, and a supremely talented worker on top too. Understanding his assignment with just about every opponent, 'The Hulkster' was as incredible at building a heel for nascent pay-per-view/closed circuit supershows as he was keeping one hot during a house show title defence. With the glory of his run came immense fame and popularity during an era in mainstream entertainment that long pre-dated the fragmented pop culture landscape of the modern day.
WWE were lucky to hit upon two more Hulk Hogans in the late-1990s, but from John Cena to Dave Batista to Cody Rhodes, there will never be another wrestler to penetrate the zeitgeist and stick around permanently to tell the tale. Plenty of ugly real life moments should have chased him away from the spotlight and/or fans affections, but it speaks to just how impactful he was that millions the world over have continued to forgive and forget.