15 Days That Changed Wrestling Forever (15)

15. Vince Signs Hulk Hogan And Makes Him A Star, December 27 1983

Six months before Vince entered the South, he had signed a wrestler who traded on the name Hulk Hogan. It was another bold move, basically pulling the rug from under Verne Gagne’s AWA promotion. Hogan had a star name, the AWA at the time was a big rival to the WWF, Hogan’s name was known and respected. His appearance in the Rocky franchise meant he was more than a wrestler, he was a superstar. His look and charisma also helped, and McMahon decided to bet his company on the man he termed the Hulkster.
Right away Vince pushed the star as something massive. Hogan won his first WWF Championship within a month of signing, taking the belt on January 23rd when he pinned The Iron Sheik in Madison Square Garden. Gorilla Monsoon on commentary yelled “Hulkamania is here!” and a sensation was born.
A sensation indeed. Hogan had a magnetic personality and drawn like no one ever had. Vince knew exactly how to get the most out of his star act, setting deals up with MTV and NBC to showcase the star. Hogan wasn’t just a wrestling name, he was a pop culture name. The WWF was no longer a wrestling promotion, it was a full blown national entertainment company. McMahon and Hogan had changed things forever. Meanwhile in the southern states, wrestling fan Ted Turner looked on with interest. Vince had shown the way, but the surface had only just been scratched for the money that could be made in pro wrestling.