Was Hulk Hogan the biggest star in professional wrestling?

[TeTe]

Lol at Flair only getting 9 votes so far.

My introduction to wrestling was in the late 80s, on a tiny black and white TV watching NWA and eventually WCW wrestling late at night. Watching the 4 horseman and Flair.

Obviously Hogan, Ultimate Warrior and Roddy Piper were bigger than life and I liked them but something about NWA/WCW seemed more raw.

 

[Intermission]

What made hogan bigger than say someone like bautista? What was the appeal of the hulkster?

 

[Sweater of AV]

There's only one Superstar.

 

[Streeter]

Ummmmmm yeah . Was he the best performer - not even top 25 but DEFINITLEY THE BIGGEST STAR wrestling has ever had. He along with some Andre brought Wrestling main stream. Hes the conor/Ronda/Brock of WWE . NOT the best by any means but atar power unmatched.

The Rock is the biggest star ever in wrestling but Hogsn the biggest Wrestling star (Gisnt and Austin after)

 

[frankmorris1]

 

[GearSolidMetal]

The Rock is the biggest star ever in wrestling but Hogsn the biggest Wrestling star (Gisnt and Austin after)

 

[Streeter]

4 biggest stars
Hogan
Rock
Austin
Flair

4 best wrestlers
Flair
HBK
Bryan Danielson
Brett Hart

 

[UberHere]

Without a doubt Hogan was the biggest star in wrestling and it’s not even close. Austin could’ve reached that level if his career was longer.

 

[FyrFytr998]

First time I ever saw a Hulk Hogan was as a kid watching Rocky 3.

 

[Streeter]

I meant the Rock is tbe biggest star e wr to be a wrestler it most of that is from movies. Hogan is the biggest star as a wrestler. Also im a little stoned so bear with me

 

[frankmorris1]

@Takes Two To Tango have you done a wrestler tournament similar to the TV show one

 

[HereticBD]

Yes. Without him, pro-wrestling might be where Slam Ball is today. There were big stars that arguably surpassed him in popularity over the years, but he was the architect and trend setter for everything that came afterwards.

RIP Hulkster.

 

[My Spot]

Even for someone like me who grew up in WCW country and only watched WCW at the time and hated "sports entertainment" I never looked at them as even being close to equal to WWF until they got Hogan. And if you haven't read the Nitro book yet you really should because WCW would've gone out of business in 1995 if not for him and Bischoff.

 

[Thrawn33]

Yes. Without him, pro-wrestling might be where Slam Ball is today. There were big stars that arguably surpassed him in popularity over the years, but he was the architect and trend setter for everything that came afterwards.

RIP Hulkster.

Ironically enough....the Ozzy/Sabbath of PW...

...fucking shitty week

 

[My Spot]

I never said he was.
That's why his WWE title reign lasted from WrestleMania to SummerSlam in 2004. Surprisingly short.
Vince took the belt off of him because he wasn't drawing money.

His lack of mainstream appeal wasn't due to his lack of wrestling skills, but because his mic-skills were... Meh.

Mic-skills are unquestionably the #1 factor in connecting with an audience, not actual wrestling skills.

CM Punk's mic-skills are perfect. The connection he's made to the audience is second-to-none, and that what eclipses the fact he's only a 'great' wrestler. At no point of his career has he ever been the 'best in the world.'

If Benoit had CM Punk's mic-skills and a more marketable gimmick, he'd be Top5 draws with the history of pro-wrestling.

In Benoit's defense, he kinda got a raw deal in 2004. He may have been world champion on the A show but it was HHH and HBK still main-eventing the PPVs with their never ending feud.
There's also a lot of smoke around the belief that Vince only put the strap on Orton at Summerslam because then Brock Lesnar would no longer be the youngest world champ in company history and Vince was still pissed about how that went down.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

In Benoit's defense, he kinda got a raw deal in 2004. He may have been world champion on the A show but it was HHH and HBK still main-eventing the PPVs with their never ending feud.
There's also a lot of smoke around the belief that Vince only put the strap on Orton at Summerslam because then Brock Lesnar would no longer be the youngest world champ in company history and Vince was still pissed about how that went down.

True, but Vince could have had Benoit win the rematch at the next PPV, but he was looking to promote young blood . probably the best business decision.

 

[TCE]

Hulk, Austin, Rock, Undertaker.

I'm absolutely shocked Bret Hart only has 3 votes though.

 

[Thrawn33]

Hulk, Austin, Rock, Undertaker.

I'm absolutely shocked Bret Hart only has 3 votes though.

Because it's "biggest star" not "best worker"

I think Hart is the best in ring, but no way on stardom level does he approach Hogan, Austin, Rock, and Andre

 

[Arashikage4Life]

Brett Hart is the Conner McGregor of wrestling

 

[TCE]

Because it's "biggest star" not "best worker"

I think Hart is the best in ring, but no way on stardom level does he approach Hogan, Austin, Rock, and Andre

I disagree completely. Bret Hart was one of the biggest stars the company has ever had.

The 1994 Royal Rumble with Hart and Michaels out right at the end, Hart was a fucking massive star.