#4 HULK HOGAN
Some may and others may not agree with this selection. However, it is critically important to consider the era in which this particular return took place. AWA officials never truly got Hogan off the ground, so to speak.
Despite knowing Hogan possessed the skills and undoubtedly the look to be a game changer, they were unable to put the proper pieces, in the proper places.
One of the other reasons some were hesitant about making a strong play for Hulk, was because of Rocky III. Hogan had landed the role of "Thunderlips" in the film, but people within the wrestling industry weren't too thrilled with the idea of having Hollywood that closely associated with professional wrestling.
The ironic issue with all of this was that wrestling fans were head over heels in love with Hogan and the Rocky role made his popularity even greater.
In 1983, Vince was making big moves in the business. He had just recently purchased the company outright from his father and was in search of someone, not just anyone, but someone special to carry the WWF into an era of changes and greatness.
Needless to say, Hulk Hogan was that chance that Vince was looking for.
Hogan would make his WWF return and immediately, the plan was to put the belt on Hogan and push him to the moon. Sheik had offers from AWA to shoot on Hogan and bring the belt to Minnesota. Just think of what would've happened, had that really went down that way.
But, Sheik took one for the team and changed absolutely everything. Hogan won the big green title, Hulkamania was officially on its way and the entire landscape of wrestling would change...forever.
