Dec 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Professional wrestler Hulk Hogan looks on before the game between the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Hulk Hogan – Abraham Lincoln
Widely regarded as the greatest of the Mount Rushmore Presidents, Abraham Lincoln may very well be the greatest president in our nation’s history. He was known as a champion of the people and fought tirelessly to bridge the gap between both social and economic classes. His ultimate dream was the preservation of all states through the union which he would barely see come to fruition. Lincoln was the first American president to be assassinated just days after General Lee’s surrender effectively ended the American Civil War. Upon his death, Lincoln’s Secretary of War Edwin Stanton famously remarked, “now he belongs to the ages”, a statement that not only spoke to how Lincoln would be remembered as a person but how his actions would shape the future of our nation.
No other name was and still is more synonymous with professional wrestling than Hulk Hogan. Rabid fans know him well and even people who don’t like professional wrestling know about The Hulkster and can probably spout one of his many signature catchphrases. His apperance in Rocky III introduced Hogan to millions of non-wrestling fans and would be responsible for a gigantic shift in how professional wrestlers were viewed. No longer were these just a bunch of muscular men running around in tights on a local cable channel; people were starting to realize that sports entertainment can actually be, entertaining.
Hogan was in the main event for 8 of the first 9 WrestleManias, held the WWE championship for four years, and helped form the nWo, one of the most popular factions in professional wrestling history. His actions were not only meaningful, but had real consequences that reverberated across decades. Abraham Lincoln’s actions are still being felt by our country today, and Hogan’s influence can be seen in every facet of the WWE.
Despite his current legal troubles – whose favorable results toward Hogan could earn him a spot back in the WWE – he will always be the greatest WWE legend of all time.