“I am a real American. Fight for the rights of every man. I am a real American. And fight for what’s right. Fight for your life”.

The lyrics of Real American were running through my head as I sat in a hospital car park, scrolling X and reading the sad news about the passing of Hulk Hogan.

At first there was shock as I continued to scroll to find further confirmation. First it was TMZ, then some wrestling websites and wrestlers started posting messages of condolence.

That evening I started reflecting on my memories of Hulk, which weren’t all positive. At times, the way he dominated promotions was detrimental to some other performers, then there were the unacceptable comments and some incredible exaggerations in numerous interviews.

Despite this, during my early fandom there were those magical moments. These three feuds in particular will live long in the memory of every fan that has watched them.

Hulk had dominated the WWF and see off all challengers. Well except a ‘giant’ one. His long time friend Andre The Giant had actually been someone that Hulk had feuded with in the past. New Japan World uploaded a really fun and much more athletic match between the two – Hulk worked a very different style when he wrestled in Japan.

The feud started on an episode of Piper’s Pit when Andre was seemingly there to congratulate Hulk on receiving a trophy for being WWF champion for three years. An extra firm handshake followed. On the next episode, Andre received a trophy for being undefeated during his career (which was untrue, but he clearly had an impressive win/loss record). Hulk as he often did, became the centre of attention when he went to congratulate Andre.

The next time they met on Piper’s Pit, Andre didn’t come alone. This time he was accompanied by Bobby Heenan and then proceeded to issue a challenge to a shocked Hulk. As Andre ripped off Hulk’s t-shirt and crucifix, the match was inevitable as WrestleMania III saw the biggest match of all time.

The big question was whether Hulk could combat someone with the size of Andre. Sure he had beaten King Kong Bundy at WrestleMania two but this was something different.

Despite Andre dominating most of the match Hulk somehow lifted and slammed the giant to an incredible roar from the crowd. Victory followed for Hulk who was seeming unstoppable.

The following year it was Andre who dethroned Hulk on Saturday Nights Main Event following the evil twin referee ruse. Andre sold the title to Ted DiBiase before the WWF President Jack Tunney vacated it. A tournament at WrestleMania IV followed which saw Andre and Hulk eliminate each other in the first round. It also saw the start of the greatest storyline of Hulk’s career.

Hulk helped ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage win the tournament final by coming down to ringside to counter the presence of Andre in the corner of DiBiase. Hulk then teamed with Savage to form the Mega Powers.

The Mega Powers faced The Mega Bucks team of Andre and DiBiase at the inaugural SummerSlam. The finish of the match saw a (Mega!) Bucks Fizz style moment as Miss Elizabeth removed her skirt to distract the heels.

The team of the Mega Powers looked strong but over several months, tension started to show. Hulk eliminated Savage from the 1989 Royal Rumble. Hulk carried Elizabeth to the back as she was knocked down during a Mega Powers tag match leaving Savage to face both members of The Twin Towers alone. Savage accused Hulk of having eyes for Elizabeth and the beauty of the storyline was that you didn’t really know where Elizabeth stood.

This led to Hulk challenging Savage for the title at WrestleMania V with Elizabeth in both men’s corner. Hulk won the title in a drama filled match and retained the services of Elizabeth as Savage went fully to the dark side enlisting Sensational Sherri as his manager.

Hulk held the title until WrestleMania VI where he lost a title versus title match to the Intercontinental champion the Ultimate Warrior. It seemed to be a passing of the torch moment.

After being attacked by Earthquake, Hulk had a few months off before returning and winning the Royal Rumble. His old foe Savage had a role to play in what happened next for Hulk. During a title match between the Warrior and Sgt. Slaughter, Savage attacked Warrior with a sceptre leading to a shocking title change.

Slaughter was playing the role of an Iraqi sympathiser during the Gulf War and stirring up the crowd and the proud patriot Hulk. Hulk challenged Slaughter to a title match at WrestleMania VII.

General Adnan was constantly interfering on behalf of Slaughter and the odds were stacked against Hulk. This wasn’t the greatest of matches but was memorable at the time as a rare WWF match with blood. In the last truly memorable moment of the initial phase of Hulkamania, Hulk hulked up to overcome Slaughter and regain the title.

Millions of fans around the world really believed that Hulk was invincible and would stand up and face any adversity that faced him. Reflecting upon the lyrics of Real American, there is a section that summed up those magic years of Hulkamania.

“If you hurt my friends then you hurt my pride. I gotta lend a hand it don’t help to hide”.