Hulk Hogan's legacy - Top 5 matches that showed his greatness in the world of wrestling

Hulk Hogan, one of the biggest names in wrestling history, died at the age of 71 on the morning of July 24. After a 911 distress call from the wrestler's Clearwater, Florida home, emergency responders rushed to the scene and Hogan was seen being wheeled out of the home in a stretcher and into the ambulance. Unfortunately, it was later revealed that the WWE star had passed away due to a cardiac arrest.Fans around the world will of course miss him and his larger than life personality. And while Hogan won't be coming back to the squared ring ever again, let's take a look at the best 5 matches of his career that made him into one of the biggest stars the world of wrestling ever saw. WrestleMania X8 is often cited as one of the greatest WrestleMania events, and the Hogan-Rock match is a major reason for this. The crowd's energy was electric, and the chemistry between Hulk Hogan and The Rock made for an unforgettable encounter. Despite being a heel at the time, Hogan surprisingly received a more enthusiastic reaction from the crowd than The Rock, and the match ended with Hogan delivering three leg drops to his opponent and emerging as a victor despite losing the match. Following the match, Hogan celebrated with the crowd, and The Rock showed respect by shaking hands with Hogan, which also marked a turning point, as Hogan's character began transitioning back from a heel to a heroic persona.One of the most iconic matches in professional wrestling history, this WrestleMania III (1987) fight, where Hogan bodyslammed the Iron Sheik and pinned him to retain the WWF World Heavyweight Championship, is still remembered by wrestling fans around the world. Their rivalry is often cited as one of the greatest feuds in wrestling history, with this particular encounter being a highlight for fans everywhere. The match played into Hogan's all-American persona, with the crowd heavily favoring him as he battled the villainous, Iranian-born Iron Sheik.In this title unification bout, Hulk Hogan carried the match, showcasing his ability to elevate his opponents. The match gained legendary status over time, and Hogan's performance was instrumental in making it a memorable encounter. This "Ultimate Challenge" match was a Winner Takes All bout, where Hogan's WWF World Heavyweight Championship and Warrior's WWF Intercontinental Championship were on the line. The Ultimate Warrior emerged victorious, pinning Hulk Hogan after a big splash to become the new WWF Champion, making Warrior the first person to hold both the WWF Championship and WWF Intercontinental Championship simultaneously. Receiving widespread acclaim, it was named "Match of the Year" in 1990 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. The cage match between Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair was a highly anticipated steel cage match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, with both wrestlers' careers on the line. Hogan and Flair battled it out in a steel cage, with Mr. T serving as the special guest referee. The match featured interference from several notable figures - Sensuous Sherri tried to climb the cage and hand Flair the championship belt, but Jimmy Hart intervened by pulling her down and accidentally ripping off her skirt. Despite Flair's attempts to use underhanded tactics, Hogan managed to deliver a leg drop and secure the win. The end of the match also saw Brother Brutus attack Hogan, but Sting made a timely intervention, to save him. Hulk Hogan vs. Paul Orndorff for the WWE Championship at The Big Event 1986 was a highly anticipated match. Orndorff, managed by Bobby Heenan, faced off against Hogan for the WWE Championship. The match ended in controversy when Adrian Adonis interfered, attacking Hogan and causing a disqualification. This allowed Hogan to retain his title. The feud between Hogan and Orndorff was named Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Feud of the Year for 1986.Also Read: WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan passes away at 71