22 Years Ago Today

[SK3]

Today marks the most important milestone in the annals of professional wrestling history. 22 years ago today, professional wrestling forever changed from the cult alternative found on the fuzziest UHF dial to becoming the multi-billion dollar sports entertainment conglomerate it is today. On this day in 1984, Hulkamania was born. Hulk Hogan, who was substituting for the injured Bob Backlund, destroyed The Iron Sheik in five minutes and forty seconds in Madison Square Garden to win his first of six WWE Championships. This kicked off Vincent K. McMahon's plan to take the company and expand it into a worldwide entity. With the Hulkster as the performer, and Vince McMahon Jr. as the promoter, WWE would soar to new heights of mainstream popularity.

It has been said by many that the history of professional wrestling can be divided into two sections; before January 23, 1984, and after it. Never before had one single match done so much to change the course of the business. It is quite possible that if this match never took place, professional wrestling may have never experienced the boom in popularity it enjoyed afterward and continues to enjoy today. Whether one loves Hulk Hogan himself or hates him, one cannot deny the importance this milestone holds. For this marks the 22nd anniversary that the barriers surrounding professional wrestling were forever broken down, allowing it to grow into one of the world's most popular mainstream entertainment options.

Let us all take a moment today to acknowledge this historic anniversary for the wrestling business, and think about all that has happened within the industry since. January 23, 1984, was the night professional wrestling changed forever.

[hulkamania33]

This truly is a great day in pro-wrestling. Nothing has ever been the same since Hulkamania blasted on the scene 22 years ago.

[Dog Fan]

I'm not sure that there will ever be another Hogan either. It's like Booker T said: "He has a certain magic about him."

[tom889]

I agree that January 23, 1984 was the most important and memorable date in pro wrestling history! When Bob Backlund was the champion, the WWE (then World Wrestling Federation)was just a northeast promotion. I'm certain that many wrestling fans were upset when Backlund lost the title to The Iron Shiek because everyone was so used of him being champion for nearly six years. At that time, I thought that wrestling would always remain the same. However, when Hulk Hogan won the title, everything changed. WWE kept getting bigger and eventually became worldwide. And the rest is history.

[DanC]

Although I was too young to remember that match at the time (I was 5) I'm definitely glad it happened! If it wasn't for that match, who knows how this thing we know as Hulkamania would've turned out.

22 years later, it's still runnin' wild!