7. Hulk Hogan returns to WWE to help Bob Backlund
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While our younger readers recognize the role Hulk Hogan played in the 1980s WWF, they may not realize that beforehand, he was actually a pretty diabolical bad guy in the promotion before that. It took a couple of boneheaded decisions on a couple of different promoters that finally led to Hogan become Vincent Kennedy McMahon's secret weapon in the 80s.
From 1979 to 1980, Hulk was a heel managed by the legendary "Classy" Freddie Blassie. in the WWF run by McMahon's father, Vincent J. McMahon. At the time, Hulk was given the opportunity to take a role in Rocky III - a role that the elder McMahon refused to let him take. So, he took the role anyway and left the WWF for Verne Gagne's AWA.
Once a part of AWA, Hulk became one of the company's most popular stars. But, Gagne refused to put their world title on him. So, he eventually moved back to the WWF, now under the control of the younger McMahon. Vince, seeing the potential in an ultra-babyface Hogan, reintroduced the Hulkster to the WWF fans by having him rescue their current babyface world champ, Bob Backlund, from an attack.
And the rest is history.
