All Things Hogan!

[$heriff Tom]

Here is the Match listing for the Hulk Hogan Ulitmate Anthology


vs. Andre The Giant
13/09/80

AWA Heavyweight Title
vs. Nick Bockwinkel
24/04/83

WWE Championship Match
vs. Iron Sheik
Madison Square Garden - 23/01/84

vs. Big John Studd
Madison Square Garden - 22/09/84

WWE Championship Match
vs. Roddy Piper
War To Settle The Score - 18/02/85

w/ Mr. T vs. Rowdy Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff
Wrestlemania - 31/03/85

Steel Cage Match for the WWE Championship
vs. King Kong Bundy
Wrestlemania 2 - 07/04/86

WWE Championship Match
vs. Paul Orndorff
The Big Event - 28/08/86

WWE Championship Match
vs. Andre The Giant
Wrestlemania III - 29/03/87

WWE Championship Match
vs. Macho Man Randy Savage
Wrestlemania V - 18/04/89

Title vs. Title Match
vs. Ultimate Warrior
Wrestlemania VI - 01/04/90

WWE Championship Match
vs. Sgt. Slaughter
Wrestlemania VII - 24/03/91

WWE Championship Match
vs. Undertaker
Tuesday in Texas - 03/12/91

WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match
vs. Ric Flair
Bash at the Beach - 17/07/94

The Formation of the nWo
Bash at the Beach - 07/07/96

WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match
vs. The Giant
Hog Wild - 10/08/96

WCW World Heavyweight Championship Match
vs. Sting
Starrcade - 28/12/97

vs. Curt Hennig
XWF - 14/11/01

vs. The Rock
Wrestlemania X8 - 17/03/02

WWE Undisputed Championship Match
vs. HHH
Backlash - 21/04/02

WWE Tag Team Championship Match
w/ Edge vs Billy & Chuck
SmackDown - 04/07/02

Street Fight
vs. Vince McMahon
WrestleMania XIX - 30/03/03

WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
02/04/05

Legend vs. Icon
vs. Shawn Michaels
Summerslam - 21/08/05


Bonus 4th Disc: (available at Wal-Mart only)

vs. Tito Santana
Madison Square Garden - 24/03/80

vs. Sonny Rogers & Chuck Greenly
AWA - 08/08/81

WWE Championship Match
vs. Terry Funk
Saturday Night's Main Event - 04/01/86

vs. King Harley Race
Saturday Night's Main Event - 12/03/88

Hulk Hogan Wins the 1990 Royal Rumble

vs. Earthquake
Summerslam - 27/08/90

"Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Hulk Hogan
WWE Raw Homecoming - 03/10/05

[donfrancis]

vs. The Rock
Wrestlemania X8 - 17/03/02

STILL THE MOST INCREDIBLE THING I HAVE EVER SEEN LIVE. I GOT GOOSEBUMPS TYPING THIS.

[$heriff Tom]

I was not there but I got goosebumps just reading what you typed.

I had like 10 of the crew over my cramped LIC apartment for that PPV. Oh, were we raising the proverbial roof for Hogan that night. Hogan was involved in two of the most incredible segments in wrestling history....his dastardly turn at Bash at the Beach, and the magic that was that Rock/Hogan epic encounter.

[cactusjames]

nWo I'll give you, I knew it was huge and I was 10 and knew less than what I know now. But fuck hogan and Rock. And put aside my biased argument. Even if I hated HBK I still would say HBK/Hogan was better than Rock/Hogan. Yeah I know, Hogan, first WM back, the one thing I realized then and fully grasp now is how out of the loop Rock was. Hogan won that match over, not because of skill, ring shape, or the fact he was "nWo" at the time, but because Rock couldn't stand toe to toe with him. As uch as I hate the guy he knows how to work a crowd, argubaly the best ever. But in my mind, just breaking down the psychology of the match, Rock was out-classed, in every way possible. With Michaels, it was way different. Politcal pull, working of the match, etc. Put Rock in there now, he steals the show with Hogan, but Hogan was the star of that match, not Rocky. However, the one guy Hogan could not out do, out class, or out wrestle was and is Michaels. And you can read that in WWE magazine next month, since they're trying to be more shoot-oriented.

Persoanlly I think Hogan/Rock is overrated only because it's Hogans first WM match back after years. Plus in the past 5 years, the best WM match was HBK/Jericho so this argument is null and void.

[globix]

I feel as though I've read that before....

[MSBNYY]

What made Hogan/Rock was the crowd. McMahon REALLY dropped the ball in having Hogan job that one. I don't think I have ever seen a crowd marking out like that since and from what I saw, after Hogan lost, the crowd was dead. It killed the main event and people were just disappointed.

[$heriff Tom]

I disagree. Rock was the money-maker at the time, Hogan was already in his slot as a special-attraction. They were protecting Rock. Hogan could afford to do that job. Also, Hogan's being pinned was a big part of the storyline of that match, as it led to Hogan getting beaten down by Hall and Nash, turning him full-fledged face officially. Most of the Hogan fans got what they needed out of that match. You are nitpicking here.

[MSBNYY]

The crowd said otherwise. The Rock was already phasing into his movie career at the time, and clearly, Hogan was far more over. I had read that they weren't sure what they were going to do for the ending until the very last week. What happened that night was a phenomenon. It hasn't been matched since. You can't say that from the time the bell rang until the end of the match, that the crowd wasn't 100 percent Hogan.

The crowd wanted Hogan to win. Let's not forget--Hogan was the heel and Rock was the face, but everytime the Rock even landed a punch, the crowd booed. I still get a kick thinking of that match.

McMahon should have changed that match on the spot. He should have seen the reaction of the crowd and should have had the Rock job. NOTHING would have changed in the storyline. But the finish of that match KILLED the rest of the card. The crowd was dead after that.

They sent the crowd home unhappy. It was a mistake.

McMahon dropped the ball on that entire Hogan run.

[$heriff Tom]

You're delusional. The WWE knew going in Hogan was going to turn most of the crowd. That is why the match was booked the way it was, especially with Hogan being attacked by the NWO afterwards. He was more a sympathetic figure by losing the match, doing business the right way, and then being beaten down.

Its hilarious that people call this one of the greatest moments in wrestling in the last 20 years, and you are finding something wrong with it. They could not have done it better. And if Hogan DID get the pin, where does the NWO beating him up come in? They were upset the fans cheered him? Come on, man. They beat him up cause he LOST.

Do you not understand wrestling?

[MSBNYY]

No one could have predicted that the crowd would be ANTI-Rock and THAT pro Hogan. At best, they thought mixed. Yes, it WAS one of the greatest matches in 20 years, but the result was the reason it wasn't THE greatest match in the last 20 years. They brought the ball to the 1 yard line and fumbled it.

The nWo could have still done everything the same. Hell, they could have had the rematch the next night and Hogan gets screwed DUE to the nWo beat down. Heels never need a reason to turn. But Hogan losing killed the Wrestlemania.

[$heriff Tom]

But Hogan losing killed the Wrestlemania.

LOL!

To YOU, maybe. The rest of us look back at all that fondly.

Uh, one more thing. This is WRESTLING. Some times the more popular guy does LOSE. Sometimes the "good guy" does not always win. Perhaps you missed the memo.

[grover]

Hogan has been using his pull for 20 years to get his way, and it's only fair he does the job the same way Andre did the job for him. It was our generations Andre/Hogan, and in no way shape or form should Hogan have won.

And James, how the hell was the Rock outclassed? How could he not stand with him? What other superstars would have the humility and smarts to start playing to the crowd as a heel on the spot to get Hogan even MORE over? HBK/Hogan licks sack compared to this match. NO ONE holds the HBK match to the WM match's level.

[MSBNYY]

Really, do you even remember the last match of that WM? The crowd was DEAD. Sure, the popular guy can lose, but there are times when you have to send the crowd home happy. They REALLY dropped the ball there.

[grover]

Actually, I think they did hope the crowd would turn like that, or at least to some capacity. nWo hogan never really played to the corwd as a face at all, and all of a sudden he's busting out old school antics. If he doesn't start doing that, the crowd doesn't turn. Since it was planned for him to turn in the end, I'm sure him and Vince palnned to have him work the crowd like that.

So, they had to have an idea some would turn.

I do remember, and HHH/Jericho has no heat whatsoever after that. And honestly, what match could? Who on the card could top that? The crowd would have been just as dead even if hogan won, and that happens a lot in wrestling when a match becomes so insane, the crowd naturally calms a bit the next match.

[$heriff Tom]

Grover, they did have an idea. Hence the NWO beatdown. Its been well documented since that they thought the crowd would be split at worst. Rock was even resigned to it, but as you acknowledged he was a pro's pro and rolled with it better than anyone could have expected.

The last match on that show was a title switch with the face HHH going over Chris Jericho. I seem to remember that match having well enough heat, as HHH was a heat magnet and Jericho was wrestling in his hometown. I will go and check it tonight, and report back and prove Balls wrong once again.

Balls, are you going by memory alone from 4 years ago? Where is DF...he was there. Lets see what HE has to say about the heat. Also, dont forget, the deeper you go into those cards you lose heat as it is, cause the fans get burned out. Its a 4 hour show, and back in 2002 they also had a one hour live HEAT leading into it. Thats 5 hours of wrestling.

Also, if anything would have killed the crowd it would have been the fact that they followed up the Hogan/Rock match with a 3-way WOMENS MATCH if I am not mistaken. Lita, Trish, and Jazz. That would do it, not "Hogan losing."

Stop trying to rewrite wrestling history with your own pen. I will end this argument tonight after I watch the closing match of that show.

[MSBNYY]

I don't think the crowd would have been as dead had Hogan won. This is actually one of DF's favorite subjects. So hopefully he'll chime in.

[grover]

There's is no way to top that whatsoever. Any match would have been dead after that.

[MSBNYY]

Well, no match would TOP that. No question. But a crowd would react better if they are happy than if they are pissed.

[$heriff Tom]

But I imagine the crowd was burn out for the womans match, and picked back up a notch for the main event, especially HHH's win over Jericho. I know for sure the crowd was not "dead" cause I would have remembered it from watching myself, and subsequent reports on such over the years from the many sources I read from. Again, I'll put this to rest later, when I check the tape.

[grover]

Check PWTorch if they said anything.

Rock and Hogan spent about 5 minutes posing and playing to the growd after the match, with the crowd cheering every minute. How were they mad? They were still popping.

[MSBNYY]

I remember what I saw. The pops were all for Hogan and they were very disappointed. They dropped the ball.

[grover]

Balls, they stole the show, so when you teal the show, and you follow it with a women's match, you just lost all momentum. You telling me if Hogan won the womens match would have gotten pops? Come off it dude.

[MSBNYY]

No. It would have been a letdown too. They did steal the show. But I do think the crowd would have been happier and that would have led to a better main event with HHH and Jericho. Would they get to the level of the Hogan/Rock match? No. But I don't think the crowd would have been that dead. I do think the outcome affected the crowd.

[$heriff Tom]

Alright, Torch is saying the crowd WAS deflated for the main event. Ok, got me on that one. But there are some intangible reasons beyond simply Hogan/Rock bringing them to a crescendo that could not be topped. One, a womens match WAS in between, and that really bought down the mood. Two, there was not a lot of heat on Jericho and HHH, as according to the reports I am reading Stephanie had made herself the center of the angle at the time, and stole the heat. Thirdly, the match went a full 30 minutes and thats a challenge for todays fan.

Fourthly, it seems people on the feedback page are also blaming Drowning Pool, who was there live to play HHH's entrance music. It did not go over well and made the crowd surly to begin with.

[grover]

No, the match itself effected the crowd, not the result, because no one really complains about it at all. I read reports too and remember, the crowd was going nuts for Rock teaming upw tih Hogan to clear the ring. They were just burnt out, and there is no way ANY match would not have gotten a reaction even close to being as good. And you know who's fault that was? HHH's for mkaing sure his title match got the last slot.

If the corwd was dissapointed why were they popping for hogan's poses left and right? If the crowd was so dissapointed why did they pop for the Rock at the end during the pose down? I remember that match, and I also remember the rowd, even though they were booing Rock, popped for the People's Elbow.

[MSBNYY]

I can't disagree that the women's match had no place on the card at all, let alone THAT spot.

Tom e-mailed me the Torch comments:

Just a fascinating match. The execution was sloppy in some spots, but the crowd involvement was so intense that it made the match one of the most memorable of WrestleMania history. Rock played to the crowd afterward, but their cheers were muted a bit since many seemed disappointed Hogan went down for the count. Hogan struggled to his feet and extended his hand after the match. Ross questioned whether Rock could trust him. Rock accepted the handshake. Hogan grabbed his injured ribs and seemed to be legitimately having trouble standing up straight. Hogan pointed at Rock and said he?s the man. A one?star match in terms of quality of execution, a four-star match in terms of how the match was laid out and unfolded, and a five?star match in terms of crowd enthusiasm, and beyond five stars on the ?spectacle? scale. (****)

Hall and Nash came out and attacked Hogan. Rock made the save quickly and easily, again making the NWO seem relatively non-threatening. Hogan was going to leave, but Rock wouldn?t let him. He insisted he reenter the ring and pose for the crowd. The crowd chanted ?Hogan, Hogan? again. Hogan cupped his ears for each corner of the arena and then posed. The crowd, though, didn?t seem entirely happy when Rock imposed himself in the situation. They wanted Hogan to have his moment alone, without Rock. Rock?s music played as they left together. They stood together on the stage for a final moment. Hogan returned to the back and Rock just stood there, looking at his feet, taking in the emotion of one of the most dramatic matches of his career.

I'm not saying factors you listed didn't contribute, but had that match been last, the crowd still would have been just as up for it, so I don't think fatigue did it. And while women's matches are bathroom breaks, I do think the crowd's disappointment was a factor that killed the main event. Sometimes you just have to cater to the humanoids.

[thecaptain15]

I see Balls' judgement and evaluation skills whether it Wrestling or Baseball have not improved even on the new board....I was there for the match in TO. The crowd went nuts...

[grover]

Read the last review for the main event. They said the crowd was burnt and there was no way to top it. I'm sure the crowd would have been more noisy right after the match if Hogan won then and there, but they would have been even more burnt out for cheering even MORE. I know I would have, and I remember sitting in utter disbelief at Tom's house for the rest of the night from what I saw. WE were burnt out too.

[MSBNYY]

You're right captain, hence the PWTorch proving me right, and apparently so is your eyewitness account.

[grover]

Well, no, it didn't prove you right really:

'If Triple H and Jericho were able to follow the Hogan-Rock and Flair-Taker matches, they would have deserved MVP honors. Instead, it was too much to overcome. They had a solid main event match, but the crowd was burned out.'

Mentions nothing about the outcomes effecting the match, just the matches in general. Sure, I give you that the crowd did want Hogan to win, but I disagree with Hogan winning in a last minute switch and him losing effecting the main event.