@Reg197844 Hogan wrote in his book that in his heel days of the WWF under Fred Blassie, their main objective was to provide a large enough championship caliber opponent for Andre The Giant. Hogan may have gotten a title run later on but he was fired by Vince Sr over the whole Rocky III situation.
@flacasey R U sure about that? Cuz there's another match on YouTube from November 13, 1979 that is posted as "Hulk Hogan's debut". In that match he wrestles Harry Valdez. Joe McHugh announces that match as his 1st appearance & Bruno & Vince make mention of that match being his debut. And he wears this same yellow jacket 2 the ring in his debut. That's what he wore 2 the ring B4 he switched 2 capes.
Longtime WWWF jobber Ben Ortiz against a future phenom. Ortiz was with WWWF for the entire decade of the '70s, and got squashed by everybody who was anybody. The guy in the white lab coat who walks by when Ortiz is in Hogan's backbreaker is the infamous "steroid doctor", Dr. George Zahorian. Foreshadowing much?
This was Hulk's first nite in the WWWF. I was there. He was on his way to the ring when Monsoon stopped him and asked where his ring jacketwas ( required for all talent on TV). He said he didn't have one so notice he's wearing Monsoon's yellow
windbreaker to the ring. Never thought I'd see this match again.
@Reg197844 Yeah, but I think his moderately succesful face run made up for that later. Have you ever seen a Swede Hansen lunchbox? A Sgt. Slaughter nightlight? Bob Orton vitamins? Besides, during his tours with Andre, I imagine more people bought tickets for that match than for Backlund vs anybody.
@Reg197844 Hogan wrote in his book that in his heel days of the WWF under Fred Blassie, their main objective was to provide a large enough championship caliber opponent for Andre The Giant. Hogan may have gotten a title run later on but he was fired by Vince Sr over the whole Rocky III situation.
frankmaiorana66 1 week ago
@flacasey R U sure about that? Cuz there's another match on YouTube from November 13, 1979 that is posted as "Hulk Hogan's debut". In that match he wrestles Harry Valdez. Joe McHugh announces that match as his 1st appearance & Bruno & Vince make mention of that match being his debut. And he wears this same yellow jacket 2 the ring in his debut. That's what he wore 2 the ring B4 he switched 2 capes.
Tarantulisimo 3 months ago
The name had already been shortened to 'World Wrestling Federation' by this point. It's even mentioned during the video.
josephD32 5 months ago
Gotta grow me a "T" shape on my chest. Awesome.
CLewey44 7 months ago
Longtime WWWF jobber Ben Ortiz against a future phenom. Ortiz was with WWWF for the entire decade of the '70s, and got squashed by everybody who was anybody. The guy in the white lab coat who walks by when Ortiz is in Hogan's backbreaker is the infamous "steroid doctor", Dr. George Zahorian. Foreshadowing much?
elc1960 9 months ago
That's a great story. Great memories with these classics!
gvader 1 year ago
This was Hulk's first nite in the WWWF. I was there. He was on his way to the ring when Monsoon stopped him and asked where his ring jacketwas ( required for all talent on TV). He said he didn't have one so notice he's wearing Monsoon's yellow
windbreaker to the ring. Never thought I'd see this match again.
flacasey 1 year ago
nice mushroom-cloud hair on the chest, Hulkster...........
horseman420 1 year ago
@Reg197844 Yeah, but I think his moderately succesful face run made up for that later. Have you ever seen a Swede Hansen lunchbox? A Sgt. Slaughter nightlight? Bob Orton vitamins? Besides, during his tours with Andre, I imagine more people bought tickets for that match than for Backlund vs anybody.
Inediblehulk 1 year ago
Try 320 pounds, Joe McHugh
TakeAShowerStinky 1 year ago 2