Hulk Hogan at WWE SummerSlam: Inside The Immortal One’s Unbeaten Streak

While Hogan isn’t the only WWE Superstar with an unbeaten record at SummerSlam, nobody can match his six straight victories at the biggest party of the summer. For the trivia hunters among us, the first win in the streak came at the inaugural SummerSlam in 1988. And ahead of SummerSlam this weekend, where better to start than with the very first edition of the popular PLE.

The Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan & Randy “Macho Man” Savage) Vs. The Mega Bucks (“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase & André the Giant), 1988

A worthy main event for the very first SummerSlam. And it had to be these four. A classic faces versus heels matchup, it was another fine chapter in the Hogan/André rivalry. While the match is often remembered for the strange finish involving Miss Elizabeth’s ‘wardrobe malfunction’, the match is still fondly remembered as an entertaining first SummerSlam main event.

Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake Vs. Randy Savage & Zeus, 1989

From the wonderful to the weird and from friends to foes. The following SummerSlam saw Hogan engaged in a rivalry with a fictional character. The storyline had the fictional Zeus (played by actor Tommy Lister Jr.) from the ‘No Holds Barred’ movie challenge Hogan at SummerSlam.

The beginning of the end for Hogan and Savage’s partnership was already in motion at the previous SummerSlam and they were rivals by the time the second edition rolled into town. The tag team match wasn’t as satisfactory as the previous summer’s headliner, but Savage and Hogan ensured that it was still entertaining.

Hulk Hogan Vs. Earthquake, 1990

The Hulkster completed the hat-trick in a scenario that had worked for him many times before: Hogan versus a giant. It wasn’t André this time, but 2025 Hall of Fame inductee Earthquake provided a more than adequate substitute.

In a chaotic match full of interferences, Hogan eventually powerslammed Earthquake through the commentators’ table, winning via countout. It was a strange encounter for a Hogan at the peak of his powers, but a respectable one nonetheless.

Hulk Hogan & The Ultimate Warrior Vs. The Triangle Of Terror (Sgt. Slaughter, General Adnan, and Colonel Mustafa), 1991

A predictable and outdated matchup that probably proved more damaging than beneficial for anyone involved. The powerful Hogan and Ultimate Warrior teamed up against a trio of foreign villains – a narrative that should have been left in the 1980s. With the numbers game against them, Hogan and Warrior were lazily portrayed as the underdogs in the match. But in reality they were never going to lose, and surprise, surprise, they didn’t.

Hulk Hogan Vs. Shawn Michaels, 2005

14 years after his previous SummerSlam appearance, Hogan faced off against the Heartbreak Kid for the first and only time in 2005. In the right time and place, the bout would be a dream match material for many fans. But attendees of the PLE got more than they bargained for.

The clash will be forever remembered as the match where Michaels oversold absolutely every move without fail. Michaels, who is known for his superb sells, made a mockery of the encounter with his overselling.

It did, however, provide a great deal of entertainment value. Despite the ridiculous selling from HBK, the match has established an unorthodox cult following in the decades since.

Hulk Hogan Vs. Randy Orton, 2006

Hogan’s famed ‘Legend versus Legend Killer’ feud with Randy Orton concluded at SummerSlam 2006. Much like Michaels the previous year, the then 26-year-old Orton earned praise for carrying the aging Hogan through the match. In reality, it should’ve been the other way round; Hogan should’ve been leading the young Orton to a star-making victory.

Instead, Hogan dominated, defeating Orton with relative ease. With Hogan’s passing last week, the match has proved to be his final one in WWE.

Who else is undefeated at SummerSlam?

While Hogan’s 6-0 record is unmatched, there are a few wrestlers who come close. Just behind Hogan on 5-0 is old adversary Ultimate Warrior. Bart Gunn, Neville (aka PAC), John Morrison, and Tatanka also sit on respectable 3-0 records.

Interestingly, there is one current WWE Superstar who currently holds a 4-0 record. Jimmy Uso has won the tag team titles with his brother, Jey, in his last three SummerSlam matches. Jimmy also won a 12-man tag match on his PLE debut at SummerSlam 2016. However, Jimmy hasn’t wrestled at SummerSlam since 2022 and isn’t booked for a match this weekend either.