He would go on to become a 12-time world champion, six times with the WWE and six more with the WCW (World Championship Wrestling). By 1985, Hogan's popularity among Americans had skyrocketed. That year, he was named the most popular athlete in America by readers of Gallup polls. Hogan made his debut on January 4, 1977. At the time, he was working as a roadie for Bert Sugar and Johnny Valentine's wrestling team at the University of Florida. When they heard that Vince McMahon was looking for some new talent, they contacted him with an offer he could not refuse. Hogan started out as their jobber - or lowest ranked wrestler - but soon became one of their main stars thanks to his aggressive style of wrestling. In 1981, he left the company to pursue a career in Hollywood. But only a few months later, he returned to the ring to defeat Ron Simmons at the 1983 War Bond Show in Hartford, Connecticut. This match is considered by many to be one of the best matches of all time. Four years later, at the very same event, Hogan defeated Andre the Giant for his first championship. He went on to win further titles from 1984 to 1986. In 1987, he departed from the company to focus on his movie career.