Hulk Hogan on "Off The Record", you'll love it...

[Guest bob_barron]

No- it's that Rock couldn't join because of other engagements.

 

That and Hall's inability to stay sober and Nash's inability to stand up straight

[Guest RickyChosyu]

I don't see a single thing in that interview that I disagree with or that can be directly refuted.

Well, here's some interesting things I took exception to:

 

Hogan doesn’t know what the problem is. He did Wrestlemania, and then 5 or 6 PPVs and several house shows. Hogan said it got to a point where he needed a little break due to his age and current condition.

 

When did Hogan do any house shows? It was my understanding that his contract included that he didn't have to do them at all.

 

I mention the part about Hogan needing a break physically for later use.

 

It’s Hogan’s belief that after 9/11, people are tired of shock TV and they want to “take the high road.” He used this expression several times in this instance. He makes reference to him cutting a promo with The Rock on RAW and selling out the SkyDome as an example.

 

First of all, and I'm not completely sure about this, but the Skydome sold out long before Hogan's "Rock card board cut-out" promo. Second, if the Rock/Hogan feud was an example of "taking the high road" then what in the bloody hell was the semi-truck angle? Was that supposed to be a return to traditional wrestling angles? Does Hogan assume people don't remember this?

 

Hogan says he’s talking about the natural progression of a product, he’s talking about not trying to move by someone who is established and their loyal fan base. Hogan thinks that if he went on a bit of a run and then Brock Lesnar wiped him out, it really would have meant something, but instead, in Hogan’s opinion, Lesnar defeated a Hulk Hogan who had been beaten on TV for the past 10 weeks didn’t mean as much. Hogan feels that he still has a lot to give and that WWE shouldn’t be pushing aside his character at this point.

 

"A bit of a run" as in a run with the Undisputed title? They gave Hogan a run, ratings tanked, buy rates tanked, and house shows lossing business couldn't even be attributed to him to begin with because he didn't do them. What more does Hogan expect? Furthermore, Hogan previously admits that, physically, he can't work for more than five or six moths, yet he wants a "bit of a run" that would presumably have to be longer than the first one they gave him? And on top of that, if he's already "established" why should they need to build him up anymore than he already is? Why not just bring him in for another job, if he's already got enough steam to be considered "established."

 

"Does this make logic?" - Konnan

 

Hogan says that the only thing that’s real in pro wrestling is the fact that the fans believed in the comeback of “the old man, Hulk Hogan.” Hogan says why not capitalize and give the fans something to cheer for instead of taking it away from him.

 

So Hogan's WWE run was supposed to be an example of this? Hogan admits to being physically unable to perform long-term, yet supposedly people will buy into him as a main eventer? Wrestling fans have limitations as to how far they'll suspend their reality. Hogan was exposed to the fans because of his inability to portray himself as the real deal, and I don't seen any reason in his shallow and contrived logic to believe the same thing wouldn't happen if they tried pushing him again. There's plenty of proof against it, and virtually none in favor of it.

 

Perhaps the fans would say, “Oh my God he’s coming back! He’s larger than life…” and at that point, the torch should be gracefully passed as the fans know the up-and-coming stars like Kidman.

 

*big ass laugh*

 

Hogan, super genius, actually brings up *Kidman* in a pitch about making new stars. Wonderfull. Has he convinced himself that everyone in the wrestling business can't remember anything more than two years old? WCW went along with Hogan's "I'll make new stars once I get a nice little run" and we got the masturbatory Hogan/Kidman feud as a result.

 

Surely, after such a blatant re-hash of a sales pitch that turned out to be all lies, *someone* will take Hogan to task for this, right? Right?

 

God knows I'm not holding my breath.

 

Hogan said he had no idea that the fans would react to the Hollywood character like they did, citing the positive and negative reaction for he and Rock respectively at WM 18. Hogan says they stumbled onto something great, and why not capitalize on it.

 

Earth to Hulk, they *tried* that already. You got your title run, your big "miracle comeback" and the numbers sucked. Get over it.

 

Hogan said that if his problems were similar to those of Stone Cold, he would pass the torch and then move on. Hogan makes mention to the WWE roster and says Austin would not be in the position he is in if it weren’t for them. Any one of them could have no-sold the Stunner.

 

Who was he supposed to do the job for before he left? Lesnar? What happened to Hogan vouching for proper build-up to "passing the torch" type jobs? Does that logic only apply to Hogan, and no one else? As for "no-selling the stunner" it's obvious that no one would be stupid enough to do that because had they done so, they would have lost work in the one major wrestling company around. If Hogan's trying to make a point about how "the rest of the rost made Austin" well, I think Hogan's earlier comment about Austin saving the WWF in the late ninties speaks for itself. Not to mention his run through 2001 where he pretty much carried the company through one of it's darkest periods.

 

Hogan reveals that Austin was supposed to job to Scott Hall at Wrestlemania, but there was some commotion in the back and the finish was changed. Hogan wonders if perhaps there were some personal issues involved, as Steve Austin and Debra were together 24/7, and Hogan has learned that sometimes time apart for two or three days can be a good thing. Hogan thinks it could have been a combination of business and the home life, but he’s sure that Austin had his reasons.

 

This information has been available for months, and in a much clearer format than Hogan decided to present it in:

 

X-Pac was supposed to run in and cost Austin the match, but Hall showed up drunk the day before and the finish was changed. There were no issues with Debra reported. At all. Maybe she had something to do with it, and maybe not, but the decision to change the finish had to do with Hall's personal problems, not Austin's.

 

He will, for the sake of business, put over Andre The Giant or Billy Kidman because it is entertainment.

 

It's a sad day indeed when Hulk Hogan decides to treat his "feud" with Billy Kidman some kind of accomplishment that he can point to and say, "See? I do what's good for the business!"

[Guest bob_barron]

Hogan worked four house shows-

one v. Rikishi

one in Miami where he teamed with Rock

one in DC v. Taker

and one at MSG v. Taker

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Hogan worked four house shows-

one v. Rikishi

one in Miami where he teamed with Rock

one in DC v. Taker

and one at MSG v. Taker

And he was scheduled to team with Austin on one too...IIRC.

[Guest bob_barron]

He was scheduled to team with Austin at the MSG House show to take on Undertaker and Big Show or Flair I think.

 

I remember being really pissed cause they changed the main event of the show like 800 times.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

So that's four house shows out of God knows how many the WWE had durring his cup of coffee with the company, and none of which helped the declining business. Sounds about right.

[Guest bob_barron]

Yea- He wasn't able to sell out MSG in June and that was his first time there since 1992. Kinda sad actually

[Guest Downhome]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, had they gave Hogan SOMETHING to work with in terms of a storyline or an angle, he would have been more of a use. Hell, this goes for not only Hogan, but anyhow...

 

...the problem has been the writing, period.

[Guest Brian]

People were tuning out when Hogan had the title. Heck, he had a decent program with Taker.

[Guest Downhome]

People were tuning out when Hogan had the title. Heck, he had a decent program with Taker.

A decent program? I am one of the biggest Hogan fans here, and I even thought that program was crap.

 

He should have been able to fued with Rocky after Wrestlemania, period. All of Hogan's feuds and matches that meant ANYTHING, always had a decent storyline surrounding it, and it usually meant something, and was emotional.

 

Hogan winning the title as he did, his feud with Taker, all of it. It meant nothing, and it wasn't his fault, he was not given a storyline, and that's all there is to it.

 

I still feel Hogan/Rocky could have been a huge program long term, had it been worked up correctly. Too bad Rocky had to leave though, and I understand that. Like I said before, WWE simply didn't plan ahead, and everything having to do with Hogan after that match at WM, it just seemd like it was thrown out there, and no one will draw when given that kind of situation.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

I agree with most of what Ricky said, but make no mistake. Hogan sold out that show. The WrestleMania name was only going so far Rock/Hogan sold the last 10,000 seats. If you don't think so, explain the massive amounts of heat for that match only.

[Guest Downhome]

The reason the Wrestlemania incident worked so well, is because it had what is VITAL to a Hogan program and match...

 

...emotion.

[Guest bob_barron]

Zsaz-

 

Aside from Taker v. Flair- Hogan v. Rocky was the only well built feud.

[Guest bravesfan]

Hogan said that if his problems were similar to those of Stone Cold, he would pass the torch and then move on.

 

Let's see, Hogan refused to job the World Title to Bret in 1993 when the "torch needed to be passed". And in 2000, Hogan refused to job to Jeff Jarrett at BATB when the "torch needed to be passed".

 

Good god, it's like there two Hulk Hogans. One that refuses to job and plays the leading role of backstage politician, and the other Hogan who bashes people who DO refuse to job and uses backstage politics.

 

 

Hogan says it’s a business move, and says he’d bring him back, but first he’d want to know why he left.

 

Just from last year: single-handedly saved the Alliance angle, pulled out quality matches at every television show and PPV event, turned heel when asked and jobbed when asked.

 

Yet this year, he gets pushed to the 4th-HIGHEST feud in the company in consecutive months, placed behind feuds with two cripples who refused to job or turn last year (HHH, UT) and is thrown into an angle with the most abysmal nWo reincarnation ever. And is looked upon as a fool as everyone and their mother turned heel on him.

 

There's a reason why main eventers are called "Main Eventers". Telling a ME'er he's not anywhere near the top of the card, is like telling a mid-carder he's relegated to house shows only.

 

I can only imagine how "team-players" like HHH, Hogan, HBK and UT would react to being pushed so far down the card. (And yes I know, Hogan DID indeed job, he should be respected for that, but it's not like they pushed retarded angles such as personal assistants, alcoholic-influenced kidnappings or "benchings" upon him, or the writers totally shit on his previous gimmick. Let's not even touch on the fact that Hogan was AT LEAST placed in the ring with individuals who took care of him, themselves and the match.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

Zsaz-

 

Aside from Taker v. Flair- Hogan v. Rocky was the only well built feud.

Come on, those people were there for that match, and that match only.

 

 

The heat was insane for that.

[Guest Downhome]

Zsaz-

 

Aside from Taker v. Flair- Hogan v. Rocky was the only well built feud.

Come on, those people were there for that match, and that match only.

 

 

The heat was insane for that.

I agree, the HHH/Jericho match sure as hell wasn't what the fans were there for. Hell, people LEFT after the Hogan/Rocky match.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, had they gave Hogan SOMETHING to work with in terms of a storyline or an angle, he would have been more of a use.

 

So, we're supposed to believe that even after the endless "comeback" push and the world title win, Hogan "didn't have enough to work with."

 

*rolls eyes*

 

"...the problem has been the writing, period."

 

Which is why, even with some of the shoddiest writing you'll find, Austin was able to maintain ratings well above Hogan's? You can talk about the bad writing all you want, but the WWE served up Hulkamania to the fans expecting it to work like it did in his prime, and ratings tanked. Hogan asking for another run after such a failure is borderline insanity.

 

He should have been able to fued with Rocky after Wrestlemania, period. All of Hogan's feuds and matches that meant ANYTHING, always had a decent storyline surrounding it, and it usually meant something, and was emotional.

 

"You keep saying that word. I don't think it means what you think it means. I don't think you know what it means."

 

Taker pulled Hogan behind him on the motor cycle and "nearly ended his life" according to the storyline. What the hell is supposed to be more emotional than Hogan fighting someone who tried to kill him?

 

I agree with most of what Ricky said, but make no mistake. Hogan sold out that show. The WrestleMania name was only going so far Rock/Hogan sold the last 10,000 seats. If you don't think so, explain the massive amounts of heat for that match only.

 

No, you're missing my point. As far as what I understood about the situation, the event had *all ready* been sold out before Hogan even had a chance to factor into the situation. The crowd was hot for Hogan, but I think many of them would have bought tickets to the show based on the name value of Wrestlemania alone, Hogan or no Hogan.

[Guest Mad Dog]

The WWF has ruined any name value to Hogan anyway.

 

I mean he freaking tapped to the ankle lock and what happened? Everyone else since then hasn't. Why to use the first time that he ever tapped in a WWF ring to make a megaheel.

 

And what about him jobbing to Rock. Yeah the whole moment was awesome but how did wrestling benefit? Rock has wrestled maybe 5 matches since then.

[Guest bob_barron]

Zsaz-

 

Aside from Taker v. Flair- Hogan v. Rocky was the only well built feud.

Come on, those people were there for that match, and that match only.

 

 

The heat was insane for that.

I agree, the HHH/Jericho match sure as hell wasn't what the fans were there for. Hell, people LEFT after the Hogan/Rocky match.

Yea- I know someone who left early. Damn shame too since that was a good match

[Guest Downhome]

The WWF has ruined in name value to Hogan anyway.

 

I mean he freaking tapped to the ankle lock and what happened? Everyone else since then hasn't. Why to use the first time that he ever tapped in a WWF ring to make a megaheel.

 

And what about him jobbing to Rock. Yeah the whole moment was awesome but how did wrestling benefit? Rock has wrestled maybe 5 matches since then.

They don't fucking think ahead, it's as simple as that. I'm suprised they are seemingly doing so with this Angle/Brock thing, it's the first time in years they have even remotely SEEMED to be planning for something in the future...

 

...as for the anckle lock thing, the moment that Hogan tapped to it, should have made that Angle's main thing for the rest of his career, making it seem that whenever he had that move on ANYONE, that the match could be over right then and there.

[Guest Trivia247]

There is a Touch of Resentment, because hell Hogan has to Bust his Overly Tanned a## and took Steroids to Look big and Bad for the Crowd.. so He could be Cartoonishly bigger than Life..

 

and here comes Mic Foley.. a couch Potato looking Wiley "Everyman" someone we could see and relate to. Do the Most psycholotic Masochistic and Sadist things to Himself and other. Someone whom Literally does anything for the Fans and he gets the Pop. Mic is still beloved in retirement. Hogan now sitting at home after his little TIFF with McMahon and is stuck there. Hogan with all the power of Nastalga won't reach the same unique level of admiration that Mic gets by both Fans and fellow wrestlers.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

There is a Touch of Resentment, because hell Hogan has to Bust his Overly Tanned a## and took Steroids to Look big and Bad for the Crowd.. so He could be Cartoonishly bigger than Life..

 

and here comes Mic Foley.. a couch Potato looking Wiley "Everyman" someone we could see and relate to. Do the Most psycholotic Masochistic and Sadist things to Himself and other. Someone whom Literally does anything for the Fans and he gets the Pop. Mic is still beloved in retirement. Hogan now sitting at home after his little TIFF with McMahon and is stuck there. Hogan with all the power of Nastalga won't reach the same unique level of admiration that Mic gets by both Fans and fellow wrestlers.

*nod*

 

There's a line in the quote machine at tOA about how Mick Foley, much like Arn Anderson, shared a personal connection the fans that went beyond their worship of Hogan and the Rock at their peaks in popularity. Mick was a "common man" that they could relate to, so now, in retirement, people think more fondly of him than they do Hogan, who, since falling from grace, has lost the admiration from the fan base he once heald. There are still many who worship the man to this day, but most of his former fans have moved on to new heroes to replace the aging Hogan.

 

Ricky, wondering if Downhome is going to just no-sell his post or do an All Japanish "delayed sell" for affect

[Guest Downhome]

Ricky, wondering if Downhome is going to just no-sell his post or do an All Japanish "delayed sell" for affect

What exactly do you expect me to say? You believe one way, as I believe the other. I believe had the storylines that Hogan was given been worth a damn, that he would have been more of a succes. The Taker storyline was weak as hell, and in my eyes was nothing more than a joke, it was all just ridiculous, and yes, including Hogan being dragged by the motorcycle.

 

So, we're supposed to believe that even after the endless "comeback" push and the world title win, Hogan "didn't have enough to work with."

 

*rolls eyes*

 

Yes, basicly. They built him up, and yet right after the Wrestlemania match, they seemed to have no dirrection at all. Even I didn't care about the storylines after that match, they failed to build upon that, and it hurt them.

 

If you feel what he was given was good enough, then that is fine. I disagree however, I looked at it like WWE simply didn't think past Wrestlemania, as everything after that to me just looked like it was thrown out there, with no planning at all done.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

What exactly do you expect me to say? You believe one way, as I believe the other.

 

Backing up your points makes the issue far more debatable. The mindset around here seems to be that when two people dissagree, they simply disagree and that should be the end of it, reducing every single point of discusion to "well he thinks this and I think differently." *Enlighten* others as to why you think differently, for cripes sake. That's what the message boeard is for! If you just back away from an arguement every time one arises you won't learn anything.

 

I believe had the storylines that Hogan was given been worth a damn, that he would have been more of a succes.

 

Of course the writing was bad, but they treated the Hulk Hogan push as "what the fans wanted" and when they proved to be ultimately untrue, Hogan's entire theory of how fans will "believe Hogan's larger than life come-back" if the WWE allows it to happen again are flawed, as with a lot of the other things in this interview. You can point to the storylines all you want, but Hulk Hogan, from a marketing perspective, was not what the majority wanted.

 

The Taker storyline was weak as hell, and in my eyes was nothing more than a joke, it was all just ridiculous, and yes, including Hogan being dragged by the motorcycle.

 

*nod* No arguement there. I just think Hogan needs to take some responsibility for being put in the driver's seat and wiping out.

 

If you feel what he was given was good enough, then that is fine. I disagree however, I looked at it like WWE simply didn't think past Wrestlemania, as everything after that to me just looked like it was thrown out there, with no planning at all done.

 

If the WWE had been looking past Wrestlemania, they probably wouldn't have signed Hogan to begin with. This entire mindset of "securing ready made stars for potential WM dream matches" needs to go, because the success of their big event should fall second to their ability to regain momentum as a company long term. The WWE has been booking week-to-week for years now, and it's one of the reasons they struggle so much in off periods.

 

Hulk Hogan, however, was unable to provide even a *short term* boost, let alone a long one. If they can't even count on Hogan to aid their short term business, what hell is the point of keeping him around at all?

[Guest AndrewTS]

I really love how Hogan uses the words "prostitute his body" like he's above Foley in a form or fashion. Yet, being, as McMahon coined it, a "sports entertainer," it's very contradictory.

 

Let me quote Kevin DuBrow of the now-defunct heavy metal band Quiet Riot:

 

"...if I'm not there to pander to them, then what the hell do I get paid for?  Pandering is part of my job.  I'm a professional prostitute, and that, after all, is what all performers are:  prostitutes."

 

So Hogan putting down Foley for that has about as much merit as one porno chick putting down another one for participating in a gangbang video.

 

Please excuse the vulgar metaphors, but Hogan started it.

[Yuna_Firerose 0]

I really love how Hogan uses the words "prostitute his body" like he's above Foley in a form or fashion. Yet, being, as McMahon coined it, a "sports entertainer," it's very contradictory.

 

Let me quote Kevin DuBrow of the now-defunct heavy metal band Quiet Riot:

 

QUOTE  

"...if I'm not there to pander to them, then what the hell do I get paid for?  Pandering is part of my job.  I'm a professional prostitute, and that, after all, is what all performers are:  prostitutes."

 

 

So Hogan putting down Foley for that has about as much merit as one porno chick putting down another one for participating in a gangbang video.

 

Please excuse the vulgar metaphors, but Hogan started it.

 

 

Oddly enough, it makes sense. That's........creepy.

[Guest godthedog]

is it the mental picture you get of hulk hogan and mick foley being porno chicks and mick foley getting gangbanged?

 

or is that just me?

[ChrisMWaters 0]

is it the mental picture you get of hulk hogan and mick foley being porno chicks and mick foley getting gangbanged?

 

or is that just me?

It's not just you.

 

...scary thought...with Yuma on this forum now...I'm thinking of Hogan and Foley slash. >_<

[Yuna_Firerose 0]

It's YUNA....

 

Hogan/Foley slash?????? EEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW!!!

 

How come when I talk about the hotties in slash fics, noone listens, but then everyone talks about the ugly dudes in slash? THAT'S JUST NOT RIGHT!!!

[Guest AndrewTS]

is it the mental picture you get of hulk hogan and mick foley being porno chicks and mick foley getting gangbanged?

 

or is that just me?

An analogy--you aren't supposed to take it literally.

 

Yeeech...