The Biggest Mega Star Ever

[CWK]

Measuring in terms of popularity during the wrestler's peak time of his career, in the modern era, and on a worldwide basis, who was the hottest wrestler ever in the history of pro wrestling?

[Emperor Smeat]

Hogan since people to this day who might not be wrestling fans or stopped being fans would know who he is since he is considered the symbol of wrestling.

He's sort of like Mario for video games, people might not like Nintendo or never played a video game ever but would know who he is mainly because he is the symbol of gaming.

[Xero]

How can Cena not be in this poll?

[CWK]

Voted for Hogan, most longevity at the top, multiple WWF title reigns including a 4+ year reign, he took wrestling mainstream, and had the broadest range of fans. Whether you were 2 years old, or 102 years old, everyone love Hulk Hogan in the mid 1980's. Easy choice in my view.

[Crazy Nick]

Hulk Hogan, people may not know a thing in the world about wrestling but they know about him.

[CWK]

How can Cena not be in this poll?

I considered it for a bit, but for someone who has always been marketed as the company's biggest star and top babyface, he sure gets alot of boo's. Besides, the 5 wrestlers I put in the poll, during the peak, 90% or more of fans bought tickets to specifically see them. I don't think that has ever been the case with Cena.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I guess I'll say Hogan since he was alone at the top for so long. Austin and Rock had to share the spotlight, although I guess there could be an argument that feeding off each other made them bigger. Gonna say Hogan though.

[redoneja]

Hogan. For all the obvious reasons. Biggest wrestler in the 80's in North America, hands down. Completely rejuvenated his career in the mid 90's by simply turning heel (obviously the magnitude of the heel turn was ridiculously huge, but still). And then after a few years when everyone thought he was burnt out for good, he had one last good run in WWE in 2002-2003. Rock/Hogan at Mania 18 was huge.

[redoneja]

I'd vote for Hulk Hogan as the Greatest Wrestler of All Time. Hands down.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Decided to vote for Austin.

[DaVe]

edit: i can't read :(

I'd say AUSTIN AUSTIN AUSTIN AUSTIN.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Went with Rock on this one. Ask me again in 50 years, and I'd say the same thing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

What if there is someone bigger in 50 years?

[Ytoojae]

I voted for The Rock.

I know people who hate wrestling and hate Hogan - never tuned into it to see him.
I know people who hate wrestling and hate Austin - never tuned into it to see him.
I know people who hate wrestling yet couldn't help but watch Rock and go to every movie that he's in.

That speaks volumes to me about Rock's mass appeal outside of wrestling. Rock's movies have been so much more successful than Hogan's. Rock has been the bigger star outside of wrestling than any of them put together.

[Sixx]

Hogan, for the reasons already mentioned.

[SupaNovaHBK]

HBK not in the list?!?! lol

regardless itd have to be rock. austin or hogan? all for different reasons i think.

Hogan was the straight out showman who couldnt wrestle
austin was the bad ass showman who could wrestle well
rock was good at everything, and excelled at showmanship and charisma. for that reason, his all round abilities, id go for rock.

[Blue Demon]

How can Andre not be in this poll?

There...fixed.

[Jordan]

Hogan. He is wrestling history. Rock and Austin had short but impactful runs, Hogan's run was much longer and in a tougher era of wrestling.

[Fignuts]

Hogan, easily. Come on with this.

[Fignuts]

Also, get warrior and suckberg out of there. Quit being ridiculous.

[Sixx]

Basically, like 99% of people here have absolutely no idea what the fuck is wrestling all about and can't name a single wrestler except for Hogan. That's saying something.

[Rammsteinmad]

Goldberg :lol:

I voted Hogan.

[VSG]

Why is Cena not in there? Anyway I voted for the Rock even though Hogan knows best!

[Favre4Ever]

I know it's really easy to vote for Hogan here but I feel like Austin had the same sort of non-wrestling related notoriety during his peak years in the Attitude Era.

[The Jayman]

Hogan knows best

[Swiss Ultimate]

Ric Flair and Inoki aren't on the list?

[The Show Off]

I picked Austin only because of the years you put up on the poll between 1997 - 2002 no one was bigger in wrestling history. However, if you were to put Hogan's as (1984 - 1999) then I'd have to go with Hogan just based off of longevity. But no one in the history of wrestling sold so much merchandise and so many tickets and got more people to watch than did Steve Austin from 1998 to 2001, not even Hogan. Though Hogan holds the crown for overall sales and noterity.

The way I look at it is the Spice Girls at their peek were "bigger" than U2 ever was... however U2 has stuck around longer. That doesn't mean the Spice Girls weren't the best (as far as selling not talent).

[CWK]

Also, get warrior and suckberg out of there. Quit being ridiculous.

Truthfully, in 1989 to 1990, Warrior was bigger than Hogan. He was the biggest star in wrestling at that time and everyone loved him. As for Goldberg, he had a major run in WCW and 1998 was his year for sure, even in the Rise and Fall of WCW DVD, Arn Anderson says that Goldberg was as hot as anyone that has ever been in the wrestling business, and that was true. Goldberg was huge in 1998. Mega Star Huge, so he's on the list.

[The Franchise]

Hogan. But Rock is the best of all those suckas

[BigDaddyCool]

I vote Ultimate Warrior for no good reason.

[redoneja]

I picked Austin only because of the years you put up on the poll between 1997 - 2002 no one was bigger in wrestling history. However, if you were to put Hogan's as (1984 - 1999) then I'd have to go with Hogan just based off of longevity. But no one in the history of wrestling sold so much merchandise and so many tickets and got more people to watch than did Steve Austin from 1998 to 2001, not even Hogan. Though Hogan holds the crown for overall sales and noterity.

The way I look at it is the Spice Girls at their peek were "bigger" than U2 ever was... however U2 has stuck around longer. That doesn't mean the Spice Girls weren't the best (as far as selling not talent).

I see where you're coming from but when you really put it in perspective, Hogan didn't have as much to work with as Austin did in terms of TV exposure, PPVs, and even merchandising.

Now, I'm not saying Hogan was never on TV or anything but Austin had Raw (and later Smackdown) every week, while Hulk had mainly syndicated programs. It's not necessarily something to fault Austin for, I just think the two different business models can help put their careers in perspective.

[Damian Rey]

I see where you're coming from but when you really put it in perspective, Hogan didn't have as much to work with as Austin did in terms of TV exposure, PPVs, and even merchandising.

Now, I'm not saying Hogan was never on TV or anything but Austin had Raw (and later Smackdown) every week, while Hulk had mainly syndicated programs. It's not necessarily something to fault Austin for, I just think the two different business models can help put their careers in perspective.

Quality post right there and I agree.

I voted Hogan, though my heart wanted to say Austin becuase of the era I grew up in. But Hogan continues to prove it. He shows up in TNA and all of a suddent they're topping their previous ratings mark week in and week out.

Also, he has constantly found a way to have a heavy impact on the last 4 decades of wrestling in three different companies; WWF in the 80's, WCW in the 90's, back to the E in the early part of the decade, and now in TNA in 2010.

[Jeritron]

1/2 of the Mega Powers is missing from this list of Mega Stars.

http://slam.canoe.ca/WrestlingImages/wm5.jpg

[DAMN iNATOR]

What if there is someone bigger in 50 years?

Facts are one thing. This is about personal opinion. There's no accounting for personal opinions, tbh.