At the dawn of the 1980’s, professional wrestling was a sport that was more then thirty years old – and still nothing more then regional promotions that were treated as little more then something to do on a Saturday night – and each region was run by a different promoter who respected the other’s territory.

As the mid 1980s approached, wrestling evolved from separate promotions that were treated as attractions, to promotions that filled arenas – the largest and most successful carrying the letters W-W-F.

And as the largest wrestling promotion in the now growing wrestling industry, the WWF had to separate themselves from the others by having the greatest attraction the world has ever known in their corner – so to speak. So it was WWF Owner Vince McMahon that brought the world a man that single-handedly revolutionized the wrestling business. A man that personified popularity – and a man that had his face and name on everything from board games, to dolls – to a Saturday morning cartoon show – the first most electrifying man in sports entertainment today – Hulk Hogan.

At the height of Hulkamania, Hulk Hogan was the WWF Champion, and as the WWF Champion – Hulk Hogan beat anyone that was thrown in his path no matter how menacing the threat seemed. From King Kong Bundy to Andre The Giant to Macho Man Randy Savage – to “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff – no one seemed a match for the Hulkster.

It was 1990’s WrestleMania VI, subtitled, “The Ultimate Challenge” that marked the end of a decade – and the end of an era – when the Ultimate Warrior scored the first clean pin against Hulk Hogan since the beginning of Hulkamania six years earlier – and was immediately perceived by the fans as the next big attraction – the next Hulk Hogan.

After a brief title reign that saw the Ultimate Warrior lose to his toughest opponent – addiction – many wrestling fans wondered who the next man would be to carry the sport of wrestling. Who would be the man that would take Hulk Hogan’s place as the biggest superstar in wrestling? Who would lead this business into the 21st Century? And who would do to the late 1990s and the beginning of the new millenium what Hulk Hogan did for the late 1980’s and early 1990s? Many names were passed around. From Sid Justice, to Shawn Michaels – to Bret “The Hitman” Hart – many fans had different stars in mind to sit in the now vacant Captain’s chair. But of all the names that were mentioned, all the stars that were chosen – and all the millions and millions of fans that were waiting for the next big attraction – no one would have guessed that it would be a third generation, twenty-nine year old unknown named Dwayne Johnson – who the world now knows as the next big attraction – the next Hulk Hogan – The Rock.

In his heyday, Hulk Hogan was selling out arenas, drawing huge ratings – and headlining cards that were featured on a new venue called, “pay-per-views”. It was March 31, 1987 when Hogan drew an unbelievable 93,173 people to the Pontiac Silverdome to see him face Andre The Giant in the main event at WrestleMania III. During this period, Hogan’s drawing power was unmatched – until now.

When Dwayne Johnson first came to the WWF as Rocky Miavia, the audiences were interested, but were more focused on the main eventers like Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart – and a another new addition to the federation – Stone Cold Steve Austin. After Rocky became Intercontinental Champion in early 1997, the audience began to notice the newcomer – but were still booing him because he was too “clean cut”. From the middle of 1997 to the end of 1998, Rocky went from a Babyface newcomer, to a hated member of the Nation Of Domination to the prize trophy of The Corporation – but it seemed that no matter his gimmick – the fans booed him whether he was a face or a heel.

Then, in 1999 – the hated Rocky, the man who could not “get over” no matter what he tried – picked up the microphone – raised his eyebrow – and started spouting catch phrases that the fans immediately clung too. Suddenly, Rocky became The Rock – and took his place as the next Hulk Hogan – and the man who will lead the sport of professional wrestling into the 21st Century.

Many people will disagree with me and say that it is Stone Cold Steve Austin that is the next Hulk Hogan – but I can prove them wrong.

When the glass breaks and Stone Cold Steve Austin comes toward the ring, the fans know that they are going to get one hell of a wrestling match. Austin’s tough persona and ass-kicking attitude are the staples of his character. But when The Rock leaves the dressing room and enters the arena – the fans know they will get entertained.

Even last night when The Rock made fun of Booker T using a midget of all things – the fans went crazy. There was even a point where the Rock didn’t even say a word – and the fans were screaming so loud that I had to lower my television. This is the difference between Austin and The Rock – where Austin needs attitude, toughness and beer – The Rock just needs to stand in the ring.

Even when the Rock left after WrestleMania XV to film The Scorpion King, the WWF acquired WCW, the storyline of storylines was finally a reality – and Stone Cold Steve Austin was at the forefront of the most historical pay-per-view in history – and the ratings dropped. Despite dream matches – inter-promotional house shows – and the ultimate betrayal of the WWF Champion in defecting to “The Alliance” – the fans craved The Rock. And when he finally came back to the WWF – the ratings of that Monday’s RAW were the highest they were in four months – which was exactly the time that he left.

I am not saying that every other wrestler in the WWF is nothing – I am simply saying that there is no denying The Rock’s reign as the Hulk Hogan of the 21st Century. Just as Hogan had a legion of Hulkamaniacs that trained, said their prayers and ate their vitamins – The Rock has a legion of The People’s fans that chant his name, are members of Team Bring It – and tune in every week to see what catch phrase he will come up with next – just like they did for Hogan.

And in the future, another will take the place of The Rock the same way he took the place of Hogan. But until then – The Rock is King – and the fans are his people.