Retro Review: Hulk Hogan: The Real American
We’ve been wrestling fans a long time and it’s always fun to pull out something from the past, whether it’s a VHS tape, a DVD, a book or a record. You’ll find those treats from the past in the SlamWrestling.net Retro Reviews.
Hulk Hogan: The Real American
1989
56 Minutes
Host: “Mean Gene” Okerlund
Source: WWE Network
Original retail price: $19.95 USD
At the height of Hulk-A-Mania the WWE released this fast-dash tribute to Hulk Hogan featuring some of his hardest hitting matches. Owning or watching this compilation is worth it alone to check out his iconic match against Andre the Giant in a steel cage. We could have done without the workout segment though which of course is filmed in cheesy 1980s slo-mo.
It ran on Sky Sports in the UK too, and the South Wales Echo even reviewed it: “The man who beat up Sylvester Stallone in Rocky III is profiled in WWF Special — Hulk Hogan, A Real American Story. Today the most popular wrestling star in the world, the Hulkster has also starred in two films No Holds Barred and Suburban Commando, roles no doubt inspired by his performance in Rocky III. This film looks at the life and career of the man who has become the WWF’s star attraction.”
Content Listing
“Real American” Music Video
Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (Steel Cage Match – WrestleFest -1988)
I consider this one of Andre’s greatest matches. WrestleFest as a whole was an amazing event but to top it off with this main event was the icing on the cake. If you haven’t checked out WrestleFest it is worth time hunting it down. Andre really batters Hogan to the point that he is busted open. As you might guess, Bobby Heenan gets involved… and pays the price as he always does.
Rating: 10 / 10
Hulk Hogan vs. Nikolai Volkoff – (Saturday Night’s Main Event – 1985)
The WWE grabs some low-hanging fruit here re-purposing two Saturday Night’s Main Event matches. Both are really compelling though. Volkoff is superb in this bout as a tank running over and taking Hogan to the limit in this patriotic battle.
Rating: 7 / 10
Hulk Hogan vs. King Haku – (Saturday Night’s Main Event – 1988)
Haku takes it to Hogan especially after the Hulkster borrows and then parades around in the King’s rightful crown. The interesting thing here is Elizabeth is Hogan’s manager and gets in on the action here and there as best that she can.
Rating: 7 / 10
Workout Segment
Gratuitous weight-lifting.
Hulk Hogan vs. Ted DiBiase – (House Show – 1987)
With Andre and Virgil at ringside Hogan has his hands full. He is up to the challenge though in a match which spotlights DiBiase as one of the best technical wrestlers ever to lace up a pair of boots.
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