#popculture84: Hulk Hogan Wins First WWF Championship, at Madison Square Garden

Hulkamania ran wild over everyone when the wrestler claimed the WWF championship in “the world’s most famous arena.”

by Rich Watson 

[The news of Hulk Hogan’s death has prompted me to push this piece up, even though I had it scheduled for late September. I’m keeping everything as is since the emphasis is on a period in his career, not his whole life. Please note that I’m not interested in discussing his politics.]

When World Wrestling Entertainment was still known as the World Wrestling Federation, the eighties was their time to shine. There were other wrestling leagues, with varying levels of recognition and popularity, but the organization, under the leadership of Vince McMahon, experienced unprecedented growth to the point where it’s a household name today.

The turning point was the ascension of its greatest champion, Hulk Hogan.

#popculture84: Soap Opera Star Gets Facelift—And So Does Her Character

When Jeanne Cooper had work done on her face, the procedure was incorporated into her TV character.

by Rich Watson 

The Young and the Restless debuted on CBS daytime television in 1973. You probably know the theme song. One year later, Jeanne Cooper joined the melodrama at age 46, after a long career in the golden age of TV, appearing in many shows.

In 1984, she was ten years older and felt she needed a facelift. Then her character did the same.

And it was shown.

#popculture84: Whose House? Run-DMC Debuts, Straight Outta Hollis

The good news is that there is a crew. Not five, not four, not three, just two.

by Rich Watson 

Rap music began in the late seventies but took off in the mainstream during the eighties, through the black neighborhoods of New York.

One of its biggest success stories was Run-DMC, who debuted in 1984–a group from a part of Queens which spawned a number of stars.