The Hulkster, the King and the Killer (Khan)

Hulk Hogan v Harley Race (Texas Death Match) (WWF, 6/14/87)

Man this was fucking good. White trunks Hogan is like headband LeBron or arm sleeve Kobe or silver Nikes Ronaldo -- the absolute pinnacle of their respective sport. They never pissed around and went right at it, Race charging in while Hogan was halfway through the ropes, Hogan somehow using Race's momentum against him and backdropping him over the ropes. I've said this before but the late 80s WWF run might be my favourite period of Race's career. As an old man bump machine he was a hoot and he took a few great ones here, including that backdrop out the ring, his signature corner bump, and later he went for a falling headbutt on the floor and ate nothing but concrete (accompanied by an audible SPLAT). Hogan absolutely wellies him with a chair - and actually breaks the thing over Race's head - and there's even a wee bitta blood! Race hitting a piledriver on the concrete after taking over was wild and I loved Heenan running around in a neck brace having heart palpitations. He really was the GOAT. The finish is awesome, with Race coming off the top with a diving headbutt and Hogan sliding the title belt into his path. This might be one of the best sub-10 minute WWF matches of the decade. 

Hulk Hogan v Killer Khan (WWF, 9/12/87) 

This was very much Hogan v Monster formula. Hogan v Monster formula is rarely a dud so the floor on it was already pretty high, but Khan is one of the better monsters you could put in there with Hogan and unsurprisingly this ruled. Khan jumps Hogan early and we get some whipping with the title belt, then he goes to spit his green mist/poison/Buckfast in Hogan's face, but Hogan moves and the ref takes it instead. Khan is way fun in control and looks real imposing, plus Fuji will stab a motherfucker with the cane to very much abuse from fans. When Hogan takes over he runs riot and wallops Khan with a chair, but rather than head to the finish Khan gets another little run of offence. There's going to be a fairly low ceiling on how compelling a nerve hold will be but this one was at least passable. Finish is so great. Khan tries to spit (or spew, as Monsoon says, as if Khan is some sort of reptile race from...Star Wars or something. Sector 7 G) more green mist, but this time Hogan gets his hands up and then rubs those mist-coated hands all over Khan's face. Legdrop, 3 count, roof comes off, many muscles were flexed. One of my favourite Hogan v Monster matches.