When The Ultimate Warrior burst onto the WWF scene in '87, Hogan encountered someone vying to claim the top spot as the primary hero of the company for the first time in years.
Now with a more colorful and revamped image, Ultimate Warrior – with his cartoon-like exaggerated musculature, colorful attire, face paint, and high-energy ring entrance – received a significant push.
By the turn of the decade in 1990, Hulk Hogan maintained his position as the leading hero in the WWE (then-WWF). However, the emergence of a younger, more edgy Ultimate Warrior was swiftly amassing a strong following among fans.
The formula of babyface versus heel was flipped on its head when Vince McMahon decided to bank on the popularity of two babyfaces to headline his annual extravaganza.
In his book "Hollywood Hulk Hogan," Hulk Hogan acknowledged that The Ultimate Warrior possessed a striking appearance but didn't attribute much else to him.