State Your Case: Why do you love Hulk Hogan (for all of eternity)?

[James Steele]

As a child who grew up in the 90s, I never understood Hulk Hogan's popularity. I understand he is a pop culture icon and is the undisputed synonym with the phrase "pro wrestling".

I just don't understand how he got over to this degree. His matches sucked, his promos are garbled energetic bullshit, and he did the same shit for over a decade. The heel run was ok, but it was the same repetitive horseshit only he did heelish things instead of babyface things. My favorite Hogan matches are vs Vince at WMXIX and vs Michaels at SummerSlam 05. For all the shit we give Cena or Rock, they can fucking deliver.

I assume Gerty or Seth82 can explain this to me. What was it about society/culture at the time at led to Hogan being such a fucking big deal? Austin and Rock fit with the late 90s culture, and they are the only ones comparable to Hogan's level of fame. I can only assume that Hogan fit perfectly with some major thing in 80s culture. Did it fit in with the "America is here and we're gonna own the fucking world!" of Reagan's America? Surely more than a shallow patriotism gimmick led to Hogan becoming such a huge superstar.