Hulkamania: 16 Amazing Studio Portraits of Hulk Hogan in the 1980s

Hulk Hogan (August 11, 1953 – July 24, 2025) was an American professional wrestler and media personality. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest and globally most recognized wrestling stars of all time. He won multiple championships worldwide, most notably being a six-time WWF Champion.

Hogan’s wrestling career in the 1980s was a phenomenon that helped transform professional wrestling from a regional spectacle into a global pop culture powerhouse. This period is widely known as the “Hulkamania” era, and it saw him become the face of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now WWE.

Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, returned to the WWF in late 1983. His persona was quickly recast as a patriotic, all-American hero. The “Hulkamania” movement began in earnest on January 23, 1984, when he defeated the Iron Sheik to win his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship. He successfully broke out of the Sheik’s submission move, the “camel clutch,” and won the title, solidifying his heroic status.

Hogan’s character was defined by his signature look (red and yellow gear, a bandana, and a horseshoe mustache) and his catchphrases, most notably his advice to “say your prayers and eat your vitamins.” He was a larger-than-life figure who captivated audiences, especially children, with his inspiring message and superhuman strength.

Throughout the 1980s, Hogan’s matches followed a recognizable pattern: he’d take a beating, “Hulk up” (shaking his head, no-selling punches), point at his opponent, land a big boot, and finish with the leg drop. This formula, along with his red-and-yellow color scheme, became as much a part of ’80s wrestling as the WWF logo itself.

The 1980s were filled with iconic feuds and championship reigns for Hulk Hogan.

• André the Giant: The rivalry with André the Giant was perhaps the most significant of the decade. Their feud culminated in the main event of WrestleMania III in 1987, where Hogan famously body-slammed the nearly 520-pound giant. This moment, often called the “slam heard ‘round the world,” is one of the most memorable in wrestling history.

• “Rowdy” Roddy Piper: Hogan’s feud with the villainous “Rowdy” Roddy Piper was central to the “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection” era, which saw the WWF integrate with mainstream pop culture. Their rivalry headlined the first-ever WrestleMania in 1985, where Hogan teamed with actor Mr. T to defeat Piper and Paul Orndorff.

• “Macho Man” Randy Savage: Hogan’s partnership and subsequent rivalry with Randy Savage dominated the late 1980s. They initially formed a popular tag team known as “The Mega Powers.” However, their alliance disintegrated due to Savage’s jealousy over Hogan’s relationship with Savage’s manager, Miss Elizabeth. This led to a high-profile match at WrestleMania V in 1989, where Hogan defeated Savage to regain the WWF Championship.

Hogan’s first WWF Championship reign lasted an astounding 1,474 days, from January 1984 to February 1988, establishing him as the unquestioned top star of the company. He headlined eight of the first nine WrestleMania events, a testament to his dominance and popularity.