On January 23, 1984, soon to be 40 years, wrestling history changed forever. From a Regional to a World Sensation. It was the date that Hulkamania arrived, and it was the date that the match with Hulk Hogan and The Iron Sheik made History.
The Most Important Transitional Champion of All Time
On December 26, 1983, Bob Backlund lost to The Iron Sheik in Controversial Fashion. The towel was thrown by his Manager Arnold Skaaland. Bob Backlund still says to this day that he didn’t submit. His pride wouldn’t let him lose and tap to The Iron Sheik.
The Iron Sheik was well hated based on his nationality as issues from Iran popped up during that time period with Ayatollah Khomeini. On Screen he was an Iran Sympathizer. But as you will read in this story he took a lot of heat from the wrestling world that day for losing to Hulk Hogan. He played the biggest role in losing to the Hulkster then anyone will truly know.
The Date for the Record Books
Hulk Hogan was kicked out of the WWF for starring in the movie Rocky III. Vince McMahon Sr. didn’t like his wrestler to be in a movie, but Vince McMahon Jr. his son took note and when he was ready to buy WWF from his Dad, he knew what his first big act would be and it would change the wrestling world forever.
Hulk Hogan gained popularity in the AWA, a rival promotion and Hulkamania was starting to spread. In there his rival was Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. You could say without Bobby “The Brain” Heenan we might not know of Hulk Hogan today.
Hulk Hogan jumped at the opportunity to leave his promotion. Although it was noted that you were supposed to give the promoters two weeks’ notice, he didn’t and this left the AWA in a bind. Verne Gagne was pissed. This was the day that the AWA was going to start to have trouble and others were going to follow in Hulk’s footsteps.
It was only until January 23, 1984, wrestling was going to change and Hulkamania would officially arrive.
Hulkamania Arrives
On that date in January the match was set in New York in MSG. With the Iran Hostage situation looming a well hated Iron Sheik entered the ring and then the new American hero to defend the honor of the United States. Hulk Hogan was to fight The Iron Sheik. It was Pay Per View before there was PayPerView. WWF now WWE had to make their move because in 1983 the NWA came up with Starrcade a match that featured the best in wrestling. And on this day all eyes would be on this wresting match.
It was a classic Hulk match which featured the Iconic Hulked, but only he Hulked up after being in the Camel Clutch a move no one could get out of. He stood up backed the Iron Sheik into the ring and then dropped the leg on the Iron Sheik. And the Hulkamania era began.
The Iron Sheik was told by Verne Gagne to break his leg for leaving the AWA in short notice, but he told him that Vince pays his checks now and that he is his boss not him. Even though he may have not liked him he knew this was important for the wrestling business and everyone.
The Aftermath
What changed it into a World Sensation, the Rock n Wrestling Connection, The First Wrestlemania and more. He clearly ushered in the new age from the old. Wrestling became more Mainstream something it wasn’t before.
Hulk went on to face opponents such as Piper, Orndorff, Macho Man, Andre the Giant and much more. It truly was the Golden Era of wrestling a time that we won’t get back again. Even merchandise was big afterwords.
It was a new brand of wrestling that was new school then and now we know as Old School Wrestling. Eventually, it led wrestling from the territorial period to what we know as corporate run worldwide wrestling. Before wrestling outcomes would be made with board room of promoters and now, they are decided by shareholders and the fans. The fans had their say to of what they wanted.
Even if it was 430 some defenses like Hulk Hogan or 50 some defenses like Roman Reigns. The landscape has changed. When we here of stories from going to territory to territory those were the old days. Those days won’t be the same anymore with this new era of wrestling that was ushered in by Hulk Hogan. We all have him and his cast of characters to thank for wrestling in the 80’s and 90’s.
I am selling the History of the WWE Championship for those who may be interested. Also, I am selling The Best of the WWE at MSG. These are old DVD’s I own.
Also, to remember the WWE history of the date January 23, 1983, I am selling the WWF now WWE LJN Action Figures of Hulk Hogan and the Iron Sheik from 1984.
For some information Chat GPT was used.
You could find me on Twitter @JosephEvaldi
Joseph Evaldi's Blog 