SummerSlam A to Z: Hulk Hogan

Mega Powers win
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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While I don't agree with all the words in his vocabulary, I do think that "erasing" Hulk Hogan from the history of the WWE is foolish.  In fact, he's the only WWE Superstar to have a record of 6 and 0 at the annual event.  He's also in a four-way tie for the most SummerSlam final match appearances (4).  John Cena, Triple H and the Undertaker share that distinction.

Face to face with Zeus
Courtesy: WWE

The early days of SummerSlam saw Hogan in tag team matches.  He and Randy Savage beat Andre the Giant and Ted DiBiase at the first event.  It was Hogan who scored the pinfall.  A year later, Savage was on the other side of the ring as he and Zeus (more on him coming up in the Z blog) took on Hogan and Brutus Beefcake.  Hogan, who was the champ at the time as well, scored the winning pin again.

Ready for a match made in Hell
Courtesy: WWE

In 1990 the Hulkster "shared" the main event with WWF Champion the Ultimate Warrior (he defended the title in the final match of the night against Rick Rude).  Hogan wrestled a grudge match against Earthquake, beating the monster via count out.  A year later, Hulk and Warrior forged together in a handicap match against Sgt. Slaughter, Col. Mustafa and Gen. Adnan.  Hogan pinned Slaughter and then posed with special guest referee Sid Justice after the match.

Legend killing The Legend Killer
Courtesy: WWE

Then the Hulkster joined WCW and didn't appear at another SummerSlam until 2005 when he wrestled Shawn Michaels.  Watching the match Michaels oversells just about everything and seems like he doesn't want the match to end the way it does with Hogan of course getting the pin.  A year later, Hulkamania ran wild over "The Legend Killer" Randy Orton.  While I'm no big fan of Orton, I don't understand why Hogan won.  Other legends like Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels had all put Orton over. Beating Hogan would have been a huge feather in his cap and helped pass the torch, but I digress...

In all likelihood Hogan's SummerSlam matches and appearances are all but over.  However, I still think it's important to acknowledge the role he played in helping to shape this event.