Ted DiBiase on the Biggest Star in Wrestling History

'The Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase looks back at his Hall of Fame career, from Mid-South, to Japan, to WCW, to WWF, and everywhere in-between! Join Ted and Marcus every Friday at 6am ET on all podcast platforms or if you want early access, get it commercial free on Premier+ with Premier Streaming Network!

[@STONESGAM]

People who don't say Hogan didn't experience the 1980's. Love him or hate him he made wrestling the must see entertainment it became. Certainly not the greatest wrestler but the biggest "star".

[@BAztid]

Austin was a monster in the late 90s and early 2000s. With the advent of the internet his popularity was truly "viral". He wasn't on top as long as Hogan, but he reached the higher peak. I saw both in real time too.

[@STONESGAM]

@@BAztid I agree I just feel like Hogan was more important in the overall history of wrestling I guess.

[@jst1]

@@BAztid You have to give to Hogan because of how long he was on top.The dude was MASSIVE in the 80's and 90's and had one of the biggest matches in WM history in the 2000's.Keep in mind...we're talking about someone who changed the game not once(the 80's) but twice(heel turn in the 90's) and the fact he did most of this without the net is crazy.Austin was over a much.....shorter time.

[@korbendallas12]

@@jst1 I agree!There isn't much of a debate when you go over the full resume.

[@ShadowAngel-lt8nw]

@@BAztid You overstimate the worldwide popularity of the WWF in the late 90's. Here in Europe, the WWF wasn't popular. At all. In fact, the "DX in Germany" Tour in 1998 bombed so badly, that it was the last European Tour the WWF did (The Xpress Tour prior to that was already a massive failure, imagine a card with Triple H, Rock, Vader, Mick Foley, Bulldog, Bret, Owen and Ahmed Johnson only drawing 4,193 people in a 12,000 venue). After that they only did the UK PPVs (tons of free tickets every time) and a couple single shows here and there. But even those bombed. For example in April 1999 Austin vs. Rock drew a measly 7,048 in Oberhausen. Hogan on the other hand was single-handedly responsible for the massive wrestling boom here in Europe from 1990 to 1995. And as for Austin: Don't forget that Rock in 1999 already broke each and every record of his (and in 2000 broke his own records instantly). But even then you have to ask how popular Austin and Rock would've become if it wasn't for Hogan's heel turn and the nWo kickstarting another US Wrestling Boom before.

[@BornAgainRN]

It’s simple. 100 years from now, who among all of the wrestlers that we know of today, including those from the past, are still going to be talked about by pro wrestling fans? The answer narrows to 1: Hulk Hogan.

[@BAztid]

In your opinion.

[@BornAgainRN]

@@BAztid it’s already happening. look at the big names of pro wrestlers in their particular eras. Names like Lou Theis, Bruno Sammartino, Superstar Billy Graham. Sure, people are familiar with these pro wrestlers, even today, but they are not the first ones people think of when they think pro wrestling of all time. Even stone cold, Steve, Austin’s star is fading. And Dwayne The Rock Johnson is known more for his movies, then for his pro wrestling career. But if you ask anyone in the world, including today, who hulk hogan is, even though he has not wrestled in years, they’re going to immediately know. And this will be true, a century and more to come. So it has nothing to do about opinion. The man is a timeless icon in professional wrestling, and Hulkamania will live forever. He had his own cartoon show, and was the only pro wrestler at that time to ever be on the cover of sports illustrated. he single-handedly started the rock and wrestling connection. He was in the first nine wrestlemanias, and was in the main event in most of them. And he took pro wrestling from regional territories to a global phenomenon. Do you honestly think any other wrestler could have done all of this? That’s why Hulk Hogan is in a category by himself when it comes to professional wrestler. No one even comes close.

[@BAztid]

​@@BornAgainRN "The Rock" is a more famous name than "Hulk Hogan", and more recently (see: his co-headlining match at WM40). Even if you want to attribute most of his fame to films, the idea that Rock will be forgotten is laughable. Similarly laughable is the idea that Hogan "single-handedly" launched Rock 'n' Wrestling and "took pro wrestling from regional territories to a global phenomenon". Heard of a promoter called Vince McMahon?

[@BornAgainRN]

@@BAztid When I say Hulk Hogan single-handedly did this, I was referring to him being a professional wrestler. Obviously, Vince McMahon had quite a bit to do with that. But the context of this conversation has to do with pro wrestlers, not promoters. And I’m not saying that the Rock is going to be forgotten. But in terms of pro wrestling, he’s going to be remembered more as an actor, as opposed to a professional wrestler 100 years from now. But Hogan will be remembered synonymously with pro wrestling centuries after all of us are gone. Yes, he made that large of an impact in the business, more than any other wrestler, including the Rock. That is why I mentioned all the separate things individually that Hogan is known for in the industry, which no other wrestler, including the Rock did. Do you really think when Dwane Johnson first started out, if he had started when Hogan did when wrestling organizations were small territories, that McMahon would have picked him to take pro wrestling and turn it into a global phenomenon? Of course not! He single-handedly picked and gambled with Hogan, because Hogan had a unique charisma that no other wrestler had then or since to be able to accomplish McMahon’s vision to take it globally. By the time the Rock came around, WWF pro wrestling was already global. The Rock was able to take advantage of this and rode the wave for the next 10 years, before going off to be a movie star full-time.

[@superlyger]

Inoki, Hogan, Lou Thesz, Strangler Lewis, Jim Londos. Eras and worlds do make the distinction.

[@jd9119]

Jim Londos was the highest paid athlete of his era.

[@masterj4777]

Exactly

[@shawnbyrom6638]

That should have been an easy answer, Hulk Hogan

[@PassivePortfolios]

It varies from era to era. Sammartino was packing arenas in the 70s. Flair and Hogan came later.

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

Hogan was a transcendent star. The measure is his profile with people that didn't even know anything about wrestling for 20 years. He was the Michael Jordan of wrestling. Not saying the best. But go anywhere in the world in the late 80s into the early 90s and everyone knows who Hogan was. Not because he was the best, but because media became truly global in that era, and before media splintered. Hogan had mass exposure by mass media that was limited to the point that everyone watched the same things: A feat not possible before, or much after.

[@jomama3804]

Go back and watch a documentaary about wrestlemania. Hogan created it. He brought in the movie stars. Ali. Cindi lauper. Mr. T. And many more.

[@9952275]

hogan period

[@PhoenixRising82672]

It's Hogan

[@JamesSmith-sw3nk]

Hogan for the career and world wide recognition. Austin for the hottest year or two ever.

[@Nostalgia9478]

Rock was bigger than Austin

[@JamesSmith-sw3nk]

@@Nostalgia9478 No, Austin was the hottest thing on the planet. Rock was 2nd. I was there.

[@BAztid]

Austin was on top for six years, from '97 onward. That year he outsold everyone in merch, including Hogan. His t-shirts were flying off the shelves.

[@imransuleman9739]

86-89 Hogan was the most famous sports star in the world. After Muhammad Ali

[@zt1053]

In 80's everybody knew who Hulk Hogan was even if you didn't watch wrestling. Even in the 90's at the peak of Austin's popularity I don't think you could say that.

[@norbertlevesque5101]

Fore Hulk Hogan put wrestling on the mape in the 80's. Stone cold save wrestling in the 90's. But Stone cold didn't have a long carrer at the top of the mountain like Hogan did.

[@harinderrana9735]

I'm surprised John Cena was not mentioned he carried WWE in the 2000's.

[@steelers4life75]

Top 5: SCSA, Hogan, Rock, Undertaker, Flair

[@stephencraft2618]

Hogan

[@trebillis7399]

It was Hogan

[@vishnujani9499]

I don't know about now but there was a time that if you went anywhere on Earth and asked them to name a wrestler (even in remote places), most people would say Hulk Hogan

[@MrRabiddogg]

it depends on how you quantify it. Andre, Taker and Hogan have longevity. Stone Cold was for a bit as was Rock but not as long but they may have reached higher popularity for their briefer moment

[@clivet3252]

Hogan paved the way

[@jd9119]

The Biggest Star was Superstar Billy Graham. Not only was he a big star during his era but a lot of major wrestling stars afterwards (and during his era) copied him, so their work is kind of a subset of his. There would be no Dusty Rhodes, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair or Big Poppa Pump without Billy Graham. There wouldn't even be a WWE "superstar" without Billy Graham.

[@lemontfaison4165]

Austin was a megastar no doubt, but in good conscience, I honestly can't even put him over Andre The Giant. Hogan and Andre The Giant being interchangeable as "Wrestling's Biggest Star," would solicit no argument from me. I mean their likeness was plastered all over the place without the benefit of the Internet Age back in the day. Scary to think if they were in their prime today just how much more mainstream they would be. So Austin at absolute best, would be #3! Just one man's opinion. . . .

[@JasonQuinn-qq4om]

I started watching wrestling in 1985. Hulk Hogan is the biggest star of all time. His career was longer than The Rock and Stone Cold. I don’t think Hulk was as good in the ring as those other two but his in ring stardom lasted much longer.

[@KirkLee1983]

These Videos are released to early in the day.

[@ncpcast]

Hogan, Stone Cold, André the giant............

[@stevep4574]

Trust me, Hulk Hogan.

[@jaybarnes8034]

Frank Williams

[@BornAgainRN]

😂

[@user-pc8uq6df2k]

FAIC, this is a stupid question. Every generation will have a different answer. And no mention of Fred Blassie anywhere. He was a BIG wrestling star. Worldwide. And in demand in the Hollywood circles.

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Vince did not make Hogan . Sylvester Stallone did .

[@danielburger1775]

Vacant

[@zt1053]

Hulk Hogan headline a special on primetime television that had 33 million viewers. Steve Austin did not. End of story.

[@lemmymororhead1733]

Who's recognizable still today everywhere he goes? I'll give you a hint; he's super tan and has a horseshoe mustache...

[@johnhartley4721]

Love him or hate him, Hogan was the biggest wrestling star ever! Bar none!!!

[@Nostalgia9478]

Ultimate Warrior

[@MafiaKingfishNOLA]

Not even close. He was popular for about 6 months.

[@Nostalgia9478]

@@MafiaKingfishNOLATry 6 years

[@jd9119]

@@Nostalgia9478 Warrior still has his fans. For his wrestling and his gym ethic.

[@masterj4777]

Buddy Rodgers, Bret Hart Ric, Flair, Bruno sammartino, Kerry von Erich, Lou Thez! All you causal fan marks saying hogan or Austin don't know anything about wrestling and never will!

[@ayufever1978]

the biggest star: hogan the best in-ring performer: HBK the best gimmick: the undertaker

[@robertcoffee9512]

Andre, case closed.

[@jd9119]

Honestly, I could care less to see most of Andre's work sans a few of his Japan matches.

[@nathanwanner..44]

I will take Austin over hogan over flair everytime, the rattlesnake was more believable and entertaining

[@DrPriiime]

Andre was nothing. The biggest Wrestling star ever is El Dandy. You guys know nothing. This guy literally is a taco sensation

[@BornAgainRN]

That’s because he was the best there was, the best there is, and the best there ever will be.😉

[@DrPriiime]

@@BornAgainRN see you know too.

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Hogan . He is the zeitgeist recognized posterboy of wrestling . Austin sold more tickets than Hogan but he did not become an transformative Icon . Lots of people who know nothing about wrestling know who Hogan is . Much much fewer people who know nothing of wrestling know Austin and some if them don’t know he was once more than an actor but a wrestler .

[@BAztid]

Wishful thinking.

[@afdcg]

Nobody was bigger than Hogan. Austin just was TRP and merchandise. Hogan was house shows, merchandise everything.

[@BornAgainRN]

It’s simple. It’s 100 years from now, who, among all of the wrestlers that we know of today, including those from the past, are still going to be talked about by pro wrestling fans? The answer narrows to 1: Hulk Hogan.

[@BAztid]

Wishful thinking.