Who REALLY Carried WWE Every Year (1985-2026)

Look who's back!

No-one could've predicted that Hulkamania would have quite the reprieve in 2002. No-one. In fact, when rumours began circulating that Hulk Hogan was en route back to the WWF as part of the nWo alongside Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, most probably thought it'd be a short-lived heel run at most. Not quite.

Fans were practically begging to see the old red and yellow warhorse again. He hadn't been seen in the federation since 1993, and his time away in WCW had ranged between more of the same and seismic thanks to his Hollywood reinvention. 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder' has never been more true.

The path was clear for the Hulkster: 'Stone Cold' was down in the dumps and walked out on the company, Triple H struggled as a babyface when returning from an injury (at least after a thumping MSG comeback in January), Undertaker was better placed in the midcard, and Rock had an eye on Hollywood himself.

Rising stars like Brock Lesnar breathed new life into Hogan, but fans just really wanted to see him do his thing all over again. Who could ever forget the thunderous response he got at 'Mania X8 vs. Rocky? That was a full 12 years on from his last whirl in Toronto at 'Mania VI, and yet it seemed like no time had passed at all.

McMahon leaned on Hulk one last time, and even put the WWF Title on him shortly before the entire company rebranded to WWE. What a fitting bit of closure; one everybody watching wanted.