March 29, 1987. The Pontiac Silverdome is vibrating. Honestly, if you weren't there or watching on a grainy closed-circuit feed, it’s hard to describe the noise. It wasn't just a cheer; it was a physical wall of sound. 93,173 people—or maybe 78,000, depending on which record book you trust—holding their breath as the "Irresistible Force" met the "Immovable Object."
Then it happened.
Hulk Hogan lifts Andre the Giant in a moment that basically reset the trajectory of pop culture. It was the "Slam Heard ‘Round the World." But behind that three-second feat of strength lies a mountain of myths, some white lies from the promoters, and a staggering amount of physical pain that almost prevented the match from happening at all.
The Myth of the "First Time"
WWE (then the WWF) loves a good narrative. For decades, the company line was that Andre the Giant had never been slammed in fifteen years. They painted him as an undefeated, un-liftable mountain of a man.
It was a total work.
In reality, Hulk Hogan lifts Andre the Giant wasn't even a new sight for hardcore fans of the early 80s. Hogan had actually slammed Andre multiple times back in 1980. They did it at the Showdown at Shea in New York, and again in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. In those days, Hogan was actually the heel (the bad guy) and Andre was the beloved hero.
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Other wrestlers had done it too. Harley Race, the legendary tough guy, famously slammed Andre. Even Big John Studd and Kamala had managed to get the Giant off his feet before WrestleMania III ever existed. But none of those moments had the leverage of 90,000 screaming fans and the birth of the pay-per-view era. The WrestleMania slam mattered because it felt like the passing of a torch. It was the moment Hulkamania became a religion.
How Much Did Andre Really Weigh?
If you listen to Hogan tell the story today, Andre was somewhere between 600 and 700 pounds. He often says it felt like lifting a redwood tree.
Let's look at the actual numbers.
- Billed Weight: 525 pounds.
- Actual Estimated Weight in 1987: Likely around 500 to 520 pounds.
- Hogan’s Height: 6'7" (in his prime).
- Andre’s Height: Billed at 7'4", though realistically closer to 6'11" or 7'0" by 1987 due to spinal collapse.
The weight wasn't just a number; it was a logistical nightmare. Andre suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that caused his bones to never stop growing. By the time WrestleMania III rolled around, his health was in a freefall. His back was so shot he had to wear a massive brace under his singlet just to stand upright. He had undergone major back surgery only months before the match.
When you watch the clip back, you’ll see Hogan’s face turn a terrifying shade of purple. That wasn't just acting. Hogan has since claimed that he felt his latissimus dorsi muscle tear right off the bone the second Andre’s weight shifted.
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The Logistics of the Slam
You can't just pick up 500 pounds of dead weight if that weight doesn't want to be moved. Pro wrestling is a dance.
Andre the Giant was the "boss" of the ring. He decided who won and who lost, regardless of what the script said. Hogan has often told the story of how he didn't even know if Andre would let him win until the very last second.
"Slam me, boss," Hogan reportedly whispered.
Andre’s response? A simple, guttural "Yeah."
As Hulk Hogan lifts Andre the Giant, watch Andre’s right hand. He places it firmly on Hogan’s hip to help stabilize the pivot. He isn't just a passenger; he’s helping Hogan leverage the weight. It’s a testament to Andre’s legendary toughness that he took that bump—landing flat on a spine that was essentially crumbling—just to make Hogan a bigger star.
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The Attendance Controversy: 93,173 or 78,000?
The number "93,173" is etched into wrestling lore. It was billed as the largest indoor attendance record in history.
Years later, the late promoter Zane Bresloff leaked internal documents suggesting the actual number of tickets sold was closer to 78,000.
Does it matter? Not really. Whether it was 78k or 93k, the atmosphere was undeniable. The Silverdome was packed to the rafters with people who genuinely believed they were witnessing a clash of gods. The sheer volume of the crowd when Andre hit the mat is still used as a benchmark for "crowd pops" in the industry today.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
We live in an era of high-flying moves and 450-degree splashes. Wrestling has become more athletic, more choreographed, and faster. But we haven't seen anything that matches the gravity of that one body slam.
It was the ultimate simplicity. One big man picking up a bigger man.
Actionable Takeaways for the Modern Fan:
- Watch the 1980 Shea Stadium match: Compare the "young" Hogan slamming a more mobile Andre. It's a completely different vibe.
- Look for the "tell": When watching the WrestleMania III clip, look at Andre's hand placement on Hogan’s leg and hip. It’s a masterclass in "working" a match.
- Research Andre’s health: Understanding the pain Andre was in makes the feat significantly more impressive from a psychological standpoint.
The legacy of Hulk Hogan lifts Andre the Giant isn't about the physics or the fake attendance numbers. It’s about the fact that for one afternoon in Michigan, the entire world believed in the impossible.
Hogan didn't just lift a man; he lifted an entire industry into the mainstream.