On this date in WWF history: 33 million viewers watch Hulk Hogan lose the title
by Jesse Holland on Feb 5, 2012 10:00 AM EST
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On February 5, 1988, World Wrestling Federation (WWF) held its first ever Main Event on a Friday night, live from the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. It garnered a staggering 15.2 rating with 33 million viewers and stands as television's most watched wrestling event of all time.
The big attraction was a Wrestlemania III rematch between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, who was in cahoots with "The Million Dollar Man," Ted DiBiase. During the match, Andre executed an ugly hip toss and fell on the Hulkster.
The referee proceeded to count to three, despite the fact that Hulkster's shoulder was clearly off the mat. How could the ref blow such an obvious call? Well, as it turns out, it wasn't longtime referee Dave Hebner, but his evil twin, Earl Hebner, hired by DiBiase to throw the bout.
In the wake of the original Hebner screwjob, WWF President Jack Tunney vacated the title and set up the 14-man elimination tournament for Wrestlemania IV, leading to Randy "Macho Man" Savage's epic win.
Video after the jump.
Followed by one of my favorite Hogan promos. "How much money did they spend on the plastic surgery man?!?"
Hulk lost. I wept. Go ahead and have your laughs.
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Sad this was Andre's only reign with the belt
by Jonathan Loesche on Feb 5, 2012 10:42 AM EST reply actions
Having the title doesn’t make you a draw. Andre was above any title, he didn’t need it to solidify who he was.
Suum Cuique
by Rawuncutnxrated on Feb 5, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
I cried like a baby too!
Granted I was a whopping 7 years old back then, but seeing Hogan get the screwjob treatment live on TV, left me teary eyed and asking why. Hogan losing shattered my childhood long before the Easter Bunny, Toothfairy or Santa ever got the chance.
Ofcourse a few months later with WM4 and then WM5 I understood “why?” oh and Hogan leaving to go play with Zeus in Hollyood too after the Main Event on NBC. yeah.
How dare you play with a child’s fragile emotions Wrestling… how dare you…
by Christopher Friedrich on Feb 5, 2012 2:05 PM EST reply actions
Loesche, Andre couldn’t work by the time the mid 80’s were creeping by, he was a shell of him former self. The real tragedy is the Hot Rod never getting a run with the title, a hell Piper with the belt, with Hogan trying to recapture it, would have drawn better in the early/mid 80’s than any million dollar man/andre/mega powers angle.
by Christopher Friedrich on Feb 5, 2012 2:07 PM EST reply actions
Part of the reason belts don’t matter.
by MVP Raiders on Feb 5, 2012 5:09 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
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