End of an Era

Here is a historic match from 1980 that fore-shadowed the rise of Hulk Hogan.  In the early days of his career, Hogan was brash, conceited, and punishing (go watch Rocky III from ’82 to see what I mean.)

Here he is facing the All American Boy — the ultimate Baby-Face of the day — boyish Bob Backlund.  The champ decided to wear a pink jacket and matching trunks, which really makes his pale body appear ripe for punishment from the tan, mustached Monster.

Our attention is immediately drawn to the pure strength of the big Hulk, who flexes his muscles repeatedly to shame Backlund — the inferior Male.

The adoration from the fans (as well as from Vinnie Mac) for the over-sized strength and hyper-masculinity being displayed by the Hulk is what led to the movement known as “Hulk-a-mania” and changed the look and feel of pro wrestling (and the bodies of the wrestlers) for a generation.

Hulk is not only seen to be stronger than Backlund, but also more virile and masculine.  We see Backlund’s face in Hogan’s groin, the bulge in Hogan’s white trunks evident and unconcealed.

The images of a tan He-Man overwhelming and dominating his fleshy, pale opponent added sex appeal to the match that the audience responded to.  Of course Vinnie Mac is going to promote Hogan and make him Champion if he can bring heat like this to a match.

But Backlund knows how to sexualize a match as well.  He grinds on a painful Side Headlock, working his hips in a rhythm as if humping the opponent.  He deflates Hogan, saps the big man’s strength, and forces him down to the mat, limp and defeated.

Backlund spreads his legs just so, offering the camera a look-see at his pink trunks.  They stay in this position for some time so the viewers can savor the image.

The application of a “Short Arm Scissor” by the Challenger leaves the Champ vulnerable.  First, he is vulnerable to further torture now that his arm is being disabled, and second, he is vulnerable to the probing eyes of the viewers.

With his thick legs sprawled out and kicking, Backlund is unable to conceal himself and is utterly exposed to the view of the crowd.

In his early days, Hulk’s bear-hug was his ultimate weapon of torture, and his opponents sold it as if they were being destroyed.  The erotic images of submission are obvious as Backlund sinks helplessly onto his back, with the Hulk laying on top of him and ravaging him.

The story is that our poor Champ can’t possibly defeat this powerful monster and his future is in jeopardy.

The color commentator, Jerry Lawler, makes several comments to keep our attention focused on the strength of Hulk Hogan:

“You learned immediately how strong Hulk Hogan was.  I mean as soon as he locked up with you, you could just feel it.  I mean, this guy was POWERFUL!”

“This was almost a typical David and Goliath scene here.  Bob Backlund seemingly had no chance against the bigger and stronger Hulk Hogan.”

It was the beginning of the end for Backlund (and for traditional wrestling).  After several years of the clean-cut All American Boy beating the odds using his grappling skills, the fans were ready for something fresh.  They wanted a Superhero to cheer for, not a boy-next-door.  They wanted Sports Entertainment.

The end of the match becomes a study in strength depleted.  Both men are Raggedy Andy’s, their powerful bodies utterly wasted and limp.  They roll on one-another but neither can muster the strength to finish off the other man.

This display of vulnerability is expected from Backlund — the Baby-face in pink — but why does Hogan also show his helpless and hurting side?  He is cleverly beginning to accumulate fan-love, the popular sympathy for his character, by acting weak and submissive.

In the end, Backlund tries for an Airplane Spin but falls to the floor and is counted out.  Hogan wins by a technicality — a partial victory that does not cause the belt to change hands, yet.  But Hogan creates a lasting image in the minds of the fans (and the promoters) by flexing his powerful tan body, by showing off his ability to excite the crowd.  He has won this battle and will also eventually win the war.