Randy Savage, John Cena, Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan - Who is biggest star in professional wrestling? (Semi-Finals)

[Takes Two To Tango]

Looking at the votes I don't think you're even going to need a final

Yeah Hogan will win, but I'd like to see who comes runner up and 3rd place.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

Hogan > Rock >>> several other dudes (Austin, Brock, Cena, Flair)

 

[Ibm]

you your grandpa and your son could all sit around and talk about Hogan

this

 

[Ibm]

Will brng memories.

 

[treelo]

You can make a case for SCSA and Cena but Savage was never a huge household name. He probably inspired a lot to become wrestlers but never had household name power like the others especially internationally he is pretty much unknown outside the US. When Hogan was in his prime a lot of households didnt even have PPV. There is also way more merch than used to be. Hulkster all the way.

this is a ridiculous take

Savage was a HUGE name over in the UK back in the 80's and 90's, possibly due to his partnership and feud with Hogan, but to say he was unknown is extremely short sighted

 

[Bobby00]

this is a ridiculous take

Savage was a HUGE name over in the UK back in the 80's and 90's, possibly due to his partnership and feud with Hogan, but to say he was unknown is extremely short sighted

Bret Hart was probably a bigger star in the Uk than Savage and he is not on the list either. He might have been a star in the Uk and other certain markets but worldwide? I dont think so.

 

[TheMaster]

this is a ridiculous take

Savage was a HUGE name over in the UK back in the 80's and 90's, possibly due to his partnership and feud with Hogan, but to say he was unknown is extremely short sighted

Yeah, would agree Macho Man in the late 80's was arguably bigger then prime Austin even, just because wrestling itself at that time was on a whole another level than its probably ever been. He was probably 2 or 3 biggest star after Andre. Piper was also up there.

 

[treelo]

Bret Hart was probably a bigger star in the Uk than Savage and he is not on the list either. He might have been a star in the Uk and other certain markets but worldwide? I dont think so.

you have said he was unknown

just because other people were more popular or famous, and Bret Hart in the late 80's wasn't BTW, he was part of the Hart Foundation at the time and while had competed in a few single matchups, wasnt anywhere the star he would later become

being a star in the US and the UK is pretty much nailing Wrestling for the 80's unless you are from Japan, and then you need to start to stick the likes of Steve Williams in and Jushin Liger...different markets, certainly not "unknown" in the slightest

 

[Herwald]

1. Hulk
2. Stone Cold
3. Randy
4. Cena

 

[Halifax]

Hulk Hogan was the main face of the golden age of wrestling, selling out 93000 seat arenas. He was pushed perfectly to be unrivaled in star power. Appealing to the US nationalism and kids everywhere.


Stone cold was the face of the change of wrestling, when the era of the cool heel arrived and blew ratings through the roof beyond anything in the 80s, ushering in the attitude era.

The rock also appeared at this time, and his star power in wrestling was at times, equal to Austin.

Its razor close between these 3

Macho man and Cena, while huge, do not quite reach those heights.

 

[frankmorris1]

Continuation to this thread.

Thread 'Was Hulk Hogan the biggest star in professional wrestling?'

Jul 24, 2025

If not who is?

For me it's him, well I'm biased because he was massive memory in my childhood.

I put a poll so we can see what the numbers will be like.

• Takes Two To Tango
• Replies: 170
• Forum: Mayberry Lounge

• 

If you don't want to be tagged, just let me know.

Please vote, thanks.

Spoiler

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Where's the rock?

 

[theincognito]

Hogan … I mean this is like 40 years since his peak and his death is still front page major news for several days.

That wouldn't happen with Austin if he dropped tomorrow never mind another 20 years.

Rock is a different story but mostly because of acting not wrestling.

 

[Halifax]

Yeah, would agree Macho Man in the late 80's was arguably bigger then prime Austin even, just because wrestling itself at that time was on a whole another level than its probably ever been. He was probably 2 or 3 biggest star after Andre. Piper was also up there.

I think the ratings, arena sales and merchandise sales indicate the Austin era was incredibly popular. And the metrics indicate it was every bit as popular as the 80s golden age. More popular in terms of merchandising sales even. There were millions of 3:16 t-shirts at this point. Austin became a household names like Hogan

Like, wrestling was taking a huge chunk out of Monday night football's ass in advertising revenue under the Austin era, which was unparalleled and unexpected because the 19-49 age demographic switched to wwf. So much so that football started the "don't wrestle with your ad dollars" ads

 

[JonnyBonesPharmacist]

Hulk by a mile
Pointless poll

 

[scorpiorising]

Also, Cena and Macho Man over the rock?

I like Macho Man the most....but no.

 

[treelo]

Hogan … I mean this is like 40 years since his peak and his death is still front page major news for several days.

That wouldn't happen with Austin if he dropped tomorrow never mind another 20 years.

Rock is a different story but mostly because of acting not wrestling.

i haven't watched Wrestling since the early-mid 90's, my Mum actually messaged me to tell me Hulk Hogan was dead

She is 80 and remembers me watching him 35 years ago, and also knows who he was, that tells me a lot about the cultural impact he had

 

[Gene Tunney]

Will brng memories.

Not THE first, but one of my first NES games.











I feel that Mach should be receiving more votes here.

Spoiler

 

[Adamant]

Hulk Hogan is #1
Stone Cold is #2