THANK YOU JOHN CENA

 

Tonight John Cena, the face of the WWE since 2005 has his last match against Gunther on Saturday Night's Main Event. For many wrestling fans this is an end of an era in professional wrestling. 

Like Bruno Sammartino and Hulk Hogan before him, WWE marketed Cena to kids and families as a superhero. Cena has had major feuds with Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Rob Van Dam, The Big Show, Brock Lesnar,  Triple H, Batista, CM Punk, Kevin Owens, A.J. Styles, Dominik Mysterio and The Rock. Cena has taken his success in wrestling and parlayed that into a successful Hollywood career

For two decades, John Cena has been the top star in pro wrestling. No other champion in WWE history has had that type of longevity in pro wrestling. He has held 17 World Championships. Now he moves aside so that men like Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns can shape the future of WWE. 

Thank you John Cena for what you've done for the wrestling industry. Whether fans loved you or hated you you always gave us everything you had. The last time may be now, but your legend will last forever. 

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

R.I.P. HULK HOGAN AND THANK YOU

 

On July 24th, 2025, Hulk Hogan (a.k.a. Terry Gene Bollea), the biggest wrestling superstar in modern wrestling history died. I became a fan of Hogan in 1991 during the time of Wrestlemania 7. Hogan would face Sgt. Slaughter for the World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan's career began in the 1970's in the south in places like Alabama and Tennessee when wrestling was broken up in to different territories. From 1979 to 1981, Hulk worked for Vincent J. McMahon. in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). In 1981, Hulk left the WWWF to appear in Rocky 3 as Thunderlips. Hogan entered the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in 1981 and became a hero to the fans there. He left in 1983 to work for Vincent K. McMahon in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). 

When Hulk Hogan entered the WWE in 1983, he was marketed as a superhero. He defeated the Iron Sheik, an Iranian sympathizer in 1984 to become the World Champion. This was a time when fans still remembered the Iranian hostage crisis and Hulk Hogan was an American hero. At 6'7 and 300 pounds, Hulk Hogan had a superhero appeal to fans. WWE marketed him to the hilt having him face all the major villains of that era like Rowdy Roddy Piper and monsters like King Kong Bundy. Hogan would have his biggest win, literally and figuratively against Andre The Giant at Wrestlemania 3. With that win Hogan cemented his legacy as a superstar. In 1994, Hogan left WWE for World Championship Wrestling. His presence in WCW made the company into a national powerhouse. Hulk Hogan is the only wrestler that was apart of two companies that he helped become mainstream entities.

Hulk Hogan was the biggest superstar in the modern era. His success in the 1980's provided the foundation for the success WWE enjoys today. He had a complicated personal life but we all do. I hope his legacy is his love for people and his love for the wrestling business. Thank you Hulkster for the memories.

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

THANK YOU BILL GOLDBERG

 

Bill Goldberg a.k.a. Goldberg will wrestle tonight on Saturday Night's Main Event against Gunther, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Whether Goldberg wins or loses and if as rumors suggest, this is his last match I just want to use this platform to say Thank you to one of the most intense, and polarizing personalities to step into a pro wrestling ring. 

On September 22, 1997 Bill Goldberg debuted on WCW Monday Nitro and was a relative unknown to the wrestling fans in the arena as well as the TV audience. Standing at 6 foot 4 inches and weighing 285 pounds, the former football player, certainly had an impressive look and presence. That night he would go on to defeat his opponent, using two moves that would become his trademark, the spear and the jackhammer.

After that night, Bill Goldberg went on a winning streak that catapulted him to the top of the wrestling industry. Fans were captivated by his intensity and the fact that it seemed that he could destroy anyone.  Goldberg was also a man of few words, like Clint Eastwood in the spaghetti westerns. After winning a match he would look into the camera and ask one question: "Who's Next?" 

With over 100 wins he faced Hulk Hogan for the World Heavyweight Championship on July 6, 1998 less than a year after he officially debuted. Goldberg would defeat Hulk Hogan that night and win the World Championship. After that night Goldberg was thrust into the national spotlight appearing on talk shows and tv commercials. 

In 2001 WCW was sold to the WWE. Goldberg would not appear in WWE until 2003 due to his contract with WCW. In WWE, Goldberg would have feuds with stars like The Rock, Triple H, and Brock Lesnar in WWE from 2003 to 2004. Goldberg would leave the WWE in 2004 after winning a match against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 20. 

Goldberg would return to the WWE in 2016 after being challenged to a match by Brock Lesnar at that year's Survivor Series event. He would defeat Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series and make sporadic appearances in WWE for the next 9 years facing stars like Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley, Dolph Ziggler, and Kevin Owens. In 2018 Goldberg was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. 

Thank you Bill Goldberg for your contributions to the wrestling industry. You were a superhero to many fans around the world including myself and I hope you enjoy this last run.

Class Dismissed, 

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

THANK YOU STING

 

On Sunday, March 3rd, Sting will have his last match at Revolution. The next pay-per-view event for All Elite Wrestling. With his athletic ability, muscular physique, and painted face, Sting captured the imagination of fans all over the world. Sting began his career in 1985 and for almost 40 years has worked in every major promotion in the United States including the NWA, WCW, TNA, WWE, and AEW. 

During his legendary career, Sting has faced some of the biggest stars in pro wrestling including, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Lex Luger, The Big Show, Nikita Koloff, Big Van Vader, Rick Rude, The Great Muta, and Scott Steiner. Sting has won 14 World titles during his career in WCW and TNA.

The biggest moment in Sting's career happened when he defeated Hollywood Hulk Hogan at Starrcade'97 to become WCW World heavyweight champion. Sting became a global superstar and a wrestling icon at Starrcade. 

Thank you Stinger. Thank you for all the wonderful moments you gave to millions of fans around the world. When Sting retires on March 3rd, it will truly be the end of an era. 

THE PROFESSOR

OPINION: PART II OF THE TOP 5 MOST IMPORTANT AND MEMORABLE BIG MEN AND GIANTS IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING

 

Welcome to Part 2 (Part 1 is here) of this article on the most memorable big men and giants that have left an indelible mark in the annals of pro wrestling. I would like to start with the one of the best villains in pro wrestling: 

4. ERNIE LADD

Ernie Ladd was one one of the biggest men to ever enter the wrestling ring at 6 foot 9 and 320 pounds. Ladd started his career in wrestling in the 60's after a successful NFL career with teams like the Chargers and the Oilers. The 60's was a time of racial turmoil in America and Ernie Ladd was one of the first black villains. He won many championships in the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) during the territory days while having great feuds with Andre The Giant, Dusty Rhodes, The Von Erichs, and The Junkyard Dog.

5. BROCK LESNAR

Brock Lesnar at 6 foot 3 and 287 pounds has been one of the most dominant and intimidating big men in professional wrestling for the last 20 years. He has had great feuds with The Rock, Kurt Angle, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Bobby Lashley, and Cody Rhodes. Lesnar has won championships in WWE and UFC. He is widely considered as the most decorated athlete in combat sports. 

Professional wrestling has been filled with many big men and giants during the past 50 years. These five men have left an indelible mark in pro wrestling for not only their size but their impact on this business. I hope you enjoyed Part 2 of this article.

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

OPINION: THE TOP 5 MOST IMPORTANT AND MEMORABLE BIG MEN AND GIANTS IN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING PART 1

 

Throughout the history of Pro Wrestling there have been many big men and giants that have graced the squared circle. In this article, I'd like to look at five of the most memorable big men and giants that have left an indelible mark in the annals of pro wrestling. I would like to start with the greatest giant in the history of pro wrestling: 

1. ANDRE THE GIANT

Andre The Giant was one of the greatest attractions in pro wrestling. He began his career in 1964 and traveled the world wrestling in places like France and Canada. In 1966 he began a world tour wrestling in the UK, Australia, Germany, Japan, and Africa. In 1973, he entered the WWE (then known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation) and began a career that would make him a pop culture icon. In the 1970's it was the heyday of the territory system and the WWE kept Andre on the road visiting different places once a year so that people would come in droves to see him. This made Andre a national superstar while other wrestlers were confined to their respective regional promotions. While in WWE, Andre never lost a match so he was billed as being undefeated from 1973 to 1986. The first person to beat him on the main roster was Hulk Hogan in 1987 at Wrestlemania 3.

2. HULK HOGAN

When Hulk Hogan entered the WWE in 1983, he was marketed as a superhero. He defeated the Iron Sheik, an Iranian sympathizer in 1984 to become the World Champion. This was a time when fans still remembered the Iranian hostage crisis and Hulk Hogan was an American hero. At 6'7 and 300 pounds, Hulk Hogan had a superhero appeal to fans. WWE marketed him to the hilt having him face all the major villains of that era like Rowdy Roddy Piper and monsters like King Kong Bundy. Hogan would have his biggest win, literally and figuratively against Andre The Giant at Wrestlemania 3. With that win Hogan cemented his legacy as a superstar. In 1994, Hogan left WWE for World Championship Wrestling. His presence in WCW made the company into a national powerhouse. Hulk Hogan is the only wrestler that was apart of two companies that he helped become mainstream entities.

3. THE ROCK

Before he was the biggest star in Hollywood, he was the most electrifying man in sports and entertainment. Dwayne Johnson a.k.a.The Rock has held the WWE World title eight times during his illustrious career. He had amazing feuds with Triple H, The Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, and Hulk Hogan. His biggest feud was against Stone Cold Steve Austin who was the champion of the working class. The Rock in sharp contrast was Vince McMahon's corporate champion. His feud with Austin would make him the biggest star in the wrestling business and give WWE global notoriety. The Rock left the WWE in 2003 but has made sporadic appearances since 2011. In 2012 and 2013 he appeared at Wrestlemania to square off against John Cena.

This concludes Part 1 of this opinion piece. I hope you enjoyed it. 

THE POP CULTURE PROFESSOR

THANK YOU TERRY FUNK

 

Terry Funk, one of pro wrestling's biggest stars during the 70's and 80's passed away on August 23rd. He was 79. Funk is survived by his older brother Dory Funk Jr. and his two daughters. Through out his career Funk wrestled for all the major wrestling promotions including WWE, WCW, NWA, and ECW. He also wrestled internationally in Japan.

Funk started his career in wrestling in 1965 in Texas where his father, Dory Funk Sr. had his own promotion. In those days, wrestling was built on different territories in different states under the auspices of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Funk worked in tag team matches with his brother Dory and singles matches until he finally reached the top of the mountain.

Terry Funk worked his way up and became an attraction in every territory he visited. In 1975, he defeated Jack Brisco and became the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. During the 70's and 80's,  the NWA Worlds title was the pinnacle of professional wrestling. Funk held the title for 14 months and in that time he became a superstar having feuds with legends like Giant Baba in Japan, Jack Brisco in Florida, and Pat O'Connor. His greatest feud was against the legendary Dusty Rhodes in Florida. Both men were from different parts of Texas and Dusty was the top star in Florida so whenever Terry Funk and Dusty Rhodes clashed it was a monumental event. By 1977, Terry Funk would lose the NWA World title to Harley Race but by then he was known all around the world. 

In the 1980's he moved onto Memphis where he started a feud with "The King" Jerry Lawler and he wrestled in Japan having feuds with legends like The Sheik, Abdullah The Butcher, Stan Hansen, and Bruiser Brody. Overseas, the wrestling style was more physical and Terry Funk built his reputation as a "hardcore" wrestler in Japan. 

From 1985 to 1986 he and his brother Dory worked in the WWE appearing at Wrestlemania 2. During that year in WWE, Terry Funk did get to challenge Hulk Hogan for the WWE World Championship. In 1989, Funk moved onto to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) where he had an epic feud with Ric Flair who was the World Champion at the time.

In the 90's, Funk moved onto Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) a regional promotion located in Philadelphia and run by Paul Heyman. ECW used different styles to attract an audience such as lucha libre and American style wrestling but it was primarily known for being a violent, blood, and guts promotion. Terry Funk fit in perfectly with his reputation. He had great feuds with Shane Douglas, Sabu, Cactus Jack (Mick Foley), The Sandman, and Raven. Terry Funk became the ECW World Champion in 1997 at ECW's first Pay Per View, Barely Legal.  

Terry Funk was the epitome of professional wrestling. His persona as a wild man made him an attraction all around the world. His toughness and willingness to elevate young talent made him a legend. Rest in Peace Terry Funk and thank you for everything you did in pro wrestling. You've left a legacy that has given fans a lifetime of memories. 

THE PROFESSOR