The World Wrestling Federation knew it had a hit on its hands when it debuted the Royal Rumble in 1988.

One year later, the WWF expanded the Rumble to 30 men and presented it on pay-per-view rather than cable television.

Randy Savage was the WWF champion at the time, and tensions were running high between him and his partner, Hulk Hogan.

When Hogan eliminated Savage from the Rumble, the Macho Man went berserk, and Miss Elizabeth had to separate them.

Big John Studd went on to win the 1989 Rumble, while Savage and Hogan geared up for their showdown at WrestleMania V. Hogan regained the WWF title at that event.

HOGAN WINS IN 1990

The Hulkster made history in 1990 when he became the first reigning WWF champion to win the Royal Rumble.

During the match, Hogan had a confrontation with The Ultimate Warrior, who he would eventually face at WrestleMania VI.

Hogan triumphed at the Rumble by eliminating Mr. Perfect, who had challenged him unsuccessfully for the WWF title in the preceding months.

At WrestleMania, Hogan faced Warrior with the WWF and Intercontinental titles on the line, and Warrior came out on top.

HULK PREVAILS AGAIN IN 1991

Warrior wasn’t in the 1991 Royal Rumble match, because he was defending the WWF title against Sgt. Slaughter. “Macho King” Randy Savage smashed Warrior in the head with his scepter, and Slaughter won the title.

Hogan became the first wrestler to win back-to-back Royal Rumbles. He tossed out the 450-pound Earthquake to win the match.

As a result of his win, and WWF’s desire for an American hero to vanquish the Iraqi-sympathizing Slaughter, Hogan became the No. 1 contender.

At WrestleMania VII, Hogan beat Slaughter to bring the title back to the USA and become the first three-time WWF champion.