Pro Wrestling Resource

History: The First Encounter between Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair in 1991 [Video]

Ric Flair: Come on over here. You know how long I've been waiting for this very moment, Big Man, Huh? You know how long the REAL World Champion has heard the name HULK HOGAN!? You know how long I've had to listen to you talk about the 24-inch pythons, Big Man? Well don't be ashamed of those butterflies you got rumbling in that stomach right now because BIG MAN, I just burst that bubble you been living in and I'm here on your doorstep with THE REAL WORLD Championship Belt, compare the two. In closing...in closing, WHAT YOU GONNA DO, HULK HOGAN, WHEN RIC FLAIR RUNS WILD ON YOU!?

Hulk Hogan: Let me tell you something, Ric Flair! When you decide to put that so-called "Real World's" title, Ric Flair, against the real WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, you will find out, Ric Flair, not only will the thousands of little Hulksters out there be at your beck and call, but Hulk Hogan will be right there to take you on!

WWF Superstars of Wrestling

Filmed on October 21, 1991

Aired on November 16, 1991

Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

Commentators: Vince McMahon, Roddy Piper, Randy Savage

Classic Matches: Tito Santana and Ivan Putski vs The Valiant Brothers – October 22, 1979 [Videos]

Date: Monday, October 22, 1979

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City

Broadcast: MSG Network

Match time: 13:39

Result: Ivan Putski and Tito Santana win the WWF Tag Team Championship.

As the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) approached a new decade, its tag team division was experiencing a changing of the guard. In March 1979, the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) had been renamed the World Wrestling Federation as part of a marketing change. Just seven months later, on October 22, the reigning tag team champions, Jerry and Johnny Valiant, put their titles on the line against Ivan Putski and a young, relatively new face in the WWF, Tito Santana.

At just 26 years old, Santana was still making his name in professional wrestling. A proud Mexican American, he was beginning a journey that would eventually establish him as one of the industry's most respected stars. Teaming with the immensely popular Putski, Santana had an opportunity to make his mark on one of wrestling's biggest stages: Madison Square Garden.

The experienced Valiant Brothers stood in their way, but the challengers had their sights set on championship gold. This classic MSG Network broadcast captures a significant moment in WWF tag team history, as a new team emerged at the top of the division just weeks before the dawn of the 1980s.

Interview with Vince McMahon

All Star Wrestling

September 1979

Tag Team Championship Match

Jerry Valiant & Johnny Valiant vs Ivan Putski & Tito Santana

MSG Network

October 22, 1979

Hulk Hogan in 1980 – All Star Wrestling Interviews & Match [Videos]

Hulk Hogan in 1980

Before Hulkamania took over the wrestling world, Hulk Hogan was making his presence felt with his manager Freddie Blassie in the in 1980 with "Hogan's Hammer." This Pro Wrestling Resource collection features three post-match interviews from All Star Wrestling—January 5, August 23, and December 27. The final segment includes the full match between Hogan and Jim Duggan, with a special guest appearance by Bob Backlund.

Take a trip back to the early days of Hogan's WWF career and revisit a year of classic footage from a different era of professional wrestling.

Hulk Hogan interview with Bruno Sammartino

All Star Wrestling

January 5, 1980