WWE The Rock and Wrestling Era

The day that Hulk Hogan pinned The Iron Sheik for the WWE/F Title, that signaled the birth of not only Hulkamania, but the birth of the Rock N' Wrestling Era of the WWE. Vince McMahon had come up with a great plan to pair up wrestling with some of today's hottest music artists which resulted in a marriage made in heaven for both the fans and the people from within the organization. Many great things have came out from this era such as wrestling taking the limelight and guest starring on television shows, music videos and talk shows. But the most important thing to have come out of this era was the birth of Wrestlemania. With that said, let's check out the superstars that have graced us with their presence during these years. The grandest stage of them all still stands today and have become the showcase of all wrestlers who have dreamed of making it big.

The man besides Vince McMahon that was behind this entire era. There probably won’t be a Rock N’ Wrestling Era without the Hulkster. Winning the title had turned him into not only a superstar, but an icon. Saying your prayers and eating your vitamins was all little kids had done to mimic the moves of their hero. Because of his fame, he’s starred in movies like Rocky, shows like The A-Team and even had his own Saturday morning cartoon show. There will never be another one like Hogan during his prime. He’s partial of how wrestling is today.

Another man that today’s high flyers look up too. The late Randy Savage was so slick in his ways, but won his matches with his speed and agility. His match with Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat at WM III is still consider the greatest match of all time. Winning the WWE Title just added more to his already historic career. His phrases like ‘Ohhh! Yeaaaah!’ or ‘Dig It!’ were classics and could never be replicated. A true champion and high flyer.

Initially the 7 plus footer was a fan favorite, loved by all. Including his best friend, Hogan. But as Hogan won the title, jealously kicked in and soon he became Hogan’s worst nightmare as well as anyone that got in his path. The late great Andre would crush all foes and wouldn’t think twice. His match with Hogan at Wrestlemania III will always be considered as the most classic battles of all time. He did gain some tag team gold near the end of the era, but at least he left on a high note, giving the bad guys the boot once again.

You didn’t want to walk in a dark ally and bump into him. Piper is as crazy as it gets. His feud with Hogan we some of the best in WWE history and his show, The Piper’s Pit is an icon on its own. He even had his right hand man, Cowboy Bob Orton by his side most of the time. He’ll make you laugh and then he’ll make you cry in pain all at once. But the one thing that you could never make fun about with him was mistakenly calling his kilt a dress. That’s asking for a street fight.

You think the guys today are high flyers? Well you have to check out Snuka in his prime. He was the king of all high flyers and he was always leaving people jumping out of their seats once he took fight. During this era, he may have not won any titles, but he did gain a who lot of respect from the fans and especially Hogan, who he stood side by side at times.

He was the baddest of all bad guys, but he did with style and with money. He would try and buy his way out of any situation and would buy his way to some WWE gold. He even tried to buy his way into the WWE Title and when that didn’t work, he went on to make his own Million Dollar Dream. He eventually gained some Tag Team gold as a part of Money Inc. With that sadistic laugh and his bodyguard Virgil, he was a man to be reckoned with.

These two were anti-Americans to the fullest. The fans hated them and they knew it. Worst of all, they loved it. They would come to the ring and would sing their own national anthem to a rain of Booos! From the fans. But together as a tag team, they were unstroppable

When you heard the JYD’s music entrance, you know that it was time to get down. The Junk Yard Dog wasn’t the most technical wrestler, but he knew how to scrap with best of them. With his chains wrapped around him. No one wanted to mess with the JYD when he came to the ring or else they would’ve been greeted with a couple of headbutts.

He may have come in between this era and he maybe be know these days as a man bitter about wrestling itself, but in his prime, the Ultimate Warrior and his legion of warriors were always ready for a fight. When he came into the ring with his amazing energy, the crowd cheered and his opponents shook in fear. He was the one that ended Hogan’s first title reign of almost six years when they went title for title at Wrestlemania VI. Till this day, that will always be the highlight of the Ultimate Warrior’s career.

You can’t just include Bobby Heenan. You had to include the entire family. During these eras, Bobby had some of the best of the best wrestlers that became a part of his family. Former members like King Kong Bundy, Andre the Giant, the late Rick Rude, the late ‘Mr. Perfect’ Curt Henning and a whole lot more. When you were with the Heenan Family, you could never go wrong until he got too involved in your match. Then it becomes a comic relief. Especially when Bobby was doing commentary. Classic.

There were so many tag teams that dominated this era. I can name a few, from the Killer Bees to Strike Force. From the Mega Powers to the Mega Bucks. From the Rockers to the Twin Towers. There were so many in competition at the time. Although Demolition did stand out as being one of the most dominate winning the title three times, the most heated tag rivals this era came in the form of The Hart Foundation and The British Bulldogs. Night in and night out, these wrestlers from Canada had given you your money’s worth with their five star matches. You will never see a rival close to this until the Attitude Era with TLC.