Courtesy of WWE.com:
Hulk Hogan and WWE were synonymous for a more than a decade. In 1984, the muscular marvel catapulted WWE from a territory in the northeastern United States to a global phenomenon. The Hulkster reigned as WWE Champion for most of the ’80s, standing tall next to Mr. T following their victory at the inaugural WrestleMania, bodyslamming Andre the Giant in front of 93,173, hosting “Saturday Night Live,” and gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated.