Hogan interview draws heat from internet marks..

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

This is just blatant Hogan hate coming through. There is no question that he has been on top, in one way or another, since 1979.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hogan hasn't been 'on top' for over five years. Ever since mid-1999, his big runs have been short bursts of nostalgia. If he was put on top, really on top, it wouldn't last for very long. Hogan is running on nostalga right now.

[Downhome 0]

96-99 were great years in wrestling, and both men should get credit for making it all happen.

 

Yes, Hogan has had downs in his career, but anyone with his staying power goes through the same thing.

 

We should also start to include Flair in all of this. When his run started up, he went many years before he hit some sort of really major low.

[Downhome 0]

Hogan hasn't been 'on top' for over five years. Ever since mid-1999, his big runs have been short bursts of nostalgia. If he was put on top, really on top, it wouldn't last for very long. Hogan is running on nostalga right now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I understand that, but when he does come back, even if it is just because of his name, he is still in top. Not in the title sense, just in name value. I don't, in any way, think Hogan should literally be put on top again. Those days are long over with. He should only be used for the random "dream match" now.

 

Even without including the past five years (even in that time though he was literally on top, even though I admit that really shouldn't have happened), you can not ignore all he did. His career really started in 79, and it went pretty strong up until 2000, with lows mixed in here and there.

[jester 0]

That and there was more merchandising.  Back in the 80s there were shirts and toys and not much else, whereas during the Attitude era the WWF logo was on everything.

 

Also, many industries had grown considerably in the 10 years, especially the video game and home video markets.  There were more areas that Austin could make money in than there was for Hogan. 

 

By that logic, you could argue that Sammartino might have drawn more money if he had the Rock n' Wrestling thing that helped get MTV fans exposed to wrestling.

 

Austin is one of the reasons there are so many more opportunities for the WWE to make money.

 

Look, the two men are clearly the biggest money making wrestlers of all time, and you could probably juggle the numbers to make a case for either guy being number one. What bothers me is Hogan's habit of shitting on other wrestlers who might be better at something than he is. I once watched him say Ric Flair was not a great wrestler on OTR...he qualified by saying he meant in the Olympic sense, but why go off in that tangent and not give Flair some well-deserved credit for something?

[Brett Favre 0]

Hogan hasn't been 'on top' for over five years. Ever since mid-1999, his big runs have been short bursts of nostalgia. If he was put on top, really on top, it wouldn't last for very long. Hogan is running on nostalga right now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I understand that, but when he does come back, even if it is just because of his name, he is still in top. Not in the title sense, just in name value.

 

How is this any different than Austin?

[RedJed 0]

Headlining and drawing are two different things. If Austin were healthy, he'd probably be headlining, but not drawing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Exactly. Alot of people here are getting these two things confused and hell, Hogan seems to also. He is telling us that he's been headlining shows for 25 years. That may be true but in no way, shape, or form has he actually been a legitimate DRAW for that amount of time consistently. He seems to think he could DRAW for 4 years like nothing - at this point Hogan saying a thing like that is just plain ignorant. He had some very strong "downtimes" in WCW and WWE where he was not drawing crowds or interest as a whole. But of course so did Austin.

 

Comparing the two IMO is like apples to oranges. They were both very successful to levels unparalled from any others in the business. They both brought WWF/E to record business at their times. They both made incredible money for themselves and the company itself. They also are basically household names to even a typical American in all likelihood. The comparison is so close it's really hard to legitimately judge who is "better" when you put all of the proverbial eggs in the basket.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

I think a better comparison of each man's nostalgia value can be made when they can build to Austin's return match, if it ever happens. Of course, that can only be done if Austin comes back against a current hot act, because if it's against Hogan, then it'll be both men drawing the numbers that night, and it won't be fair test of Austin's nostlagia value.

[Downhome 0]

How is this any different than Austin?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I have not said that Austin isn't insanely over when he makes his quick returns.

 

I have however said that Hogan is a much bigger name than Austin as a whole.

[iamsherm 0]

Sounds like Hogan's getting a head start on that Wrestlemania 22 build.

[algrim 0]

One thing's for sure: Austin is the better wrestler.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

I know that Austin has refused a number of jobs, and I can't stand him for it, but he hasn't sat and snuffed out stars the way Hogan has. Hogan probably cost promoters a lot of money with stunts like WM9 and umpteen feuds in WCW.

 

Despite being booked as an unstoppable superman, Austin only really cost one star through political bickering, and that was Brock. And considering Austin's reasons (that they were giving him the world too soon,) one could be inclined to agree with his decision.

[SuperJerk 0]

Later in the interview, Hogan explains how No Holds Barred technically outgrossed Titanic once you factor in the inflation, the Fingerpoke of Doom match had more viewers than Foley's title win and the MASH final episode combined, and how that orange skin of his is the result of the sun shining out of his ass.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

You actually had me going there for a second. I could almost hear Hogan saying those things.

 

 

All this talk of drawing though really sidesteps an important point. People only brag about popularity when they know they don't have the talent to back it up. You'll never hear anyone talk about how great a rapper Vanilla Ice was, just how many records he sold.

[Downhome 0]

It should also be pointed out that Austin had to work his ass off to get noticed a lot more than Hogan did. When Hogan started out, he just fit the bill for what everyone was looking for back then. Once he started his career, and I'm talking about actual in-ring action not just training, he won his first major title (NWA South Eastern Heavyweight title) within a year or so, and then it was just a matter of time before he was WWF champ, only four years later.

 

When Austin first started out, he hit the big stage in WCW pretty quickly, but he had to work a lot harder for things to fall in line for him, and then we all know how long it was before he won his first world title.

 

My point, is that it was a much more uphill for Austin than it was for Hogan.

 

You see, this is why I wish that the nWo and Austin vs. McMahon angles could have been going on at the exact same time.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Plus, Hogan's name itself drew gates (WMIII and The Big Event) while Austin needed much more of a supporting cast to draw.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Disagree with this, actually. It's more the other way around. Hogan would have looked LOST if he was placed in a supporting cast like today's. His cartoon character gig would have been rejected in a sea of ultra-serious heels and good-cause-they're-bad faces. Hogan's style requires a supporting cast of wrestling garbage men, hockey players, geniuses, barbers, etc that look as goofy as he is. Austin got over by squashing a lot of these goofy characters and then going onto more serious ones.

 

That's why I've felt that the Heel Hogan character (NWO or no) has more gas left in it's tank than the face Hogan character. Sure, it looks like an old man trying to be cool. But that's what's really going on anyway. And it doesn't require a locker room full of stereotype heels like Shiek or DiBiase to fit in.

 

 

 

And by the way, does anyone else feel that since Hogan came back, they've stopped bluring the face/heel line and completely re-drawn it again? The latest sign of it was Cena. Ooh, they're cheering him for being self-centered, cocky, and disrespectful. Let's make him SMILE a bit more, and maybe help an old lady across the street.

 

That kind of thing has been every bit as responsible for killing the entertainment value of the company as HHH's Dusty Rhodes ego syndrome is.

[Guest jackie fargo]

Here's a recap of Hogan on Larry King Live....

 

 

They show a clip of Hogan from WM21 beating up Hassan. The entire Hogan household is on the show, and Larry introduces them all. They mention Brooke Hogan hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles last year. Hulk says that the initial idea for the show actually came up 4-5 years ago when the Osborne’s became such a huge hit. He declined at that time, but with with the timing of Brooke’s singing aspiration, he thought this would be the perfect vehicle to promote her. They play up the fact that the VH1 show has been very successful, surpassing all expectations. The family hardly notices the camera’s anymore, and have become great friends with the production crew.

 

Nick Hogan is no longer dating the girl from the episode they were featured on, and is “playing the field”. Brooke also no longer sees the 22 year old from the pilot episode. She now realizes how cocky he was and is glad Hulk protected her. They go on for awhile about Brooke not being to date for another year while her career develops. Nick, however, is allowed to freely date without much restriction. Nick is interested in acting, and actually has an audition tomorrow for Fast and The Furious 3. He appeared on a few indie movies, and sees himself acting rather than wrestling. They hype up Summer Slam, and Hulk mentions how he is on bonus time, being a 52 year wrestler. He adds that the match with Shawn is a dream match that hardcore fans will appreciate.

 

They go over finding condoms in Nick’s room, and he defends himself saying they were given to him a t a concert promoting safe sex.

 

They go to the callers now.

 

Caller#1 What does it take to be a wrestler?

 

Hogan says that he pretty much decided to give up his regular life and dedicate himself to training. He made sure though to go to college first. He says it was harder in his day breaking into the business than it is today. Linda says she first saw Hulk on the Rocky film. They show clips from WCW of Hulk battling Luger and Flair.

 

Larry asks how hulk’s kids felt about watching their dad get beat up on TV growing up. Nick thought it was cool, and Brooke was squeamish. Hulk reminds Larry that sometimes the punches are real, as wrestlers can become overzealous and let punches slip.

 

Caller #2 Wants Hogan to take off the bandana, and asks what type of music Brooke will sing on her album. Brooke says it’s a mixture of pop, rock and soul. Hulk won’t take the bandana off, claiming the shine of his bald spot will wipe out the camera crew. Larry rubs his own head and giggles. They recap the Michaels feud thus far.

 

Caller #3 Asks Hulk about Brock Lesnar coming back. Hulk says that Brock has realized wrestling is his true calling and will only benefit the industry.

 

Caller #4 Asks about the infamous WM18 show where the crowd turned on the Rock and cheered Hogan. Hogan says he was surprised, and had fun with it. Rock is a great guy, and Larry agrees.

 

Caller #5 Asks about Owen Hart. Hulk says it was the biggest tragedy in wrestling and since then the descending from the rafters routine has pretty much stopped.

 

Caller #6 Will Hulk make more movies? Hulk says yes, he will play Zeus in a kid’s movie. Brooke is also reviewing movie scripts. Hulk says that Hogan Knows Best will go into second season based on it’s incredible debut.

 

Caller #7 Caller thanks Hulk for visiting her child who has cancer.

 

Hulk says he loves visiting the kids, and is still very active in his charity work.

 

The show ends, and Larry thanks the Hogan’s for appearing. It was a good show, they got the show over really well and the family showed lots of personality. Larry hopes it’s not another 5 years before Hulk comes back on.

[MillenniumMan831 0]

Plus, Hogan's name itself drew gates (WMIII and The Big Event) while Austin needed much more of a supporting cast to draw.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Disagree with this, actually. It's more the other way around. Hogan would have looked LOST if he was placed in a supporting cast like today's. His cartoon character gig would have been rejected in a sea of ultra-serious heels and good-cause-they're-bad faces. Hogan's style requires a supporting cast of wrestling garbage men, hockey players, geniuses, barbers, etc that look as goofy as he is. Austin got over by squashing a lot of these goofy characters and then going onto more serious ones.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

It is what it is though. Yeah, 1980s Hogan would look awkawrd in today's WWE environment, but Austin wouldn't have projected Vince's vision of an expansion in the mid 1980s by drinking beers and beating up refs.

 

The Big Event drew in almost 70,000 fans for basically one match (Hogan/Orndorff). The rest of the card was utter junk, except for Dragon/Roberts. WMIII was built on if Hogan could actually defeat the "Undefeated" Andre the Giant. Yes, there were other matches, but that had to be 70% of the draw of the event. It drew at least 75,000.

 

Austin would just not be the draw that he was w/o Vince and Rock to play off of for nearly 2 years.

 

Hogan would be programmed against whomever wherever and still draw consistently big numbers.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

I think it is probably the greatest.

 

Well, Lou Thesz wrestling in 7 decades is pretty freakin impressive.

[RedJed 0]

The Big Event drew in almost 70,000 fans for basically one match (Hogan/Orndorff).  The rest of the card was utter junk, except for Dragon/Roberts.  WMIII was built on if Hogan could actually defeat the "Undefeated" Andre the Giant.  Yes, there were other matches, but that had to be 70% of the draw of the event.  It drew at least 75,000.

 

Austin would just not be the draw that he was w/o Vince and Rock to play off of for nearly 2 years.

 

Hogan would be programmed against whomever wherever and still draw consistently big numbers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

And Hogan wouldnt have been the draw in those instances if it wasnt for top notch heels such as Orndorff and Andre to draw interest in a big gate match. These werent just any old names that drew the large gates with Hogan - you HAVE to give credit to guys like Piper, Orndorff and Andre in some respect. For just as much as you say Austin wouldnt be anywhere without ROck and Vince, Hogan wouldnt have gotten over as well if it wasnt for Piper and Andre, most notably. You're argument that Hogan could be programmed against anyone and draw big numbers isnt necessaily true - think about it in detail. I can recall a lot of house show tours that Hogan was on that werent draws - opponents like Mr Perfect, Earthquake, come to mind. Another thing to consider here - for example the brand as a whole in the mid to late 80s was so on fire they were getting the same fills for house shows with Savage or Piper on top that Hogan was. Thats how well the business was - they had three seperate house show circuits that all drew tremendously. So the company road the curtains of the success of Hogan on top much like WWE did ride the success of Austin on top in 2000, which IIRC is their most successful year EVER yet Austin wasnt even on most of the time. There is yet another comparison between these two that you can't really say one is above another on.

 

As I've said before, this Hogan/Austin argument is comparing apples to oranges. Both of them were draws on numerous large scale events. However, you can easily and accuratly say Austin and Rock drew a more successful gate and revenue overall for Mania X-7 than Andre and Hogan did for Mania III if we REALLY want to get down to details here.

[Fökai 0]

Plus, Hogan's name itself drew gates (WMIII and The Big Event) while Austin needed much more of a supporting cast to draw.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'm thinking you're underestimating Andre just a tad.

[Matt Young 0]

Are any of you watching the Hogans on Larry King Live?

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Don't be jealous because Hogan will forever be the greatest draw in professional wrestling history, was at the head of BOTH the "Rock n Rasslin" and "nWo" boom periods, and now the current "super over babyface" is John Cena and/or Batista, both who draw dick, can't work, barely appear on their respective shows, and are generic (rebel and big hoss, respectively).

[Angelus 0]

Another part of the interview :

 

When asked about the public's perception that his movies bombed, he said: "Compared to the success that Brad Pitt or Arnold Schwarzenegger have had, people probably thought I had a run of B movies that sucked. But those movies were cheap to make and they generated a lot of revenue. If you watch what my movies made against what The Rock's movies are doing now, taking into account changing ticket prices and how many more theaters his movies were shown in, I still generated more revenue than he did."

 

[The Robfather 0]

Just one thing. Hogan has to share some of the blame for the fall of WCW. Austin never ruined a company.

[Guest RickyB]

Just one thing. Hogan has to share some of the blame for the fall of WCW. Austin never ruined a company.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Are you fucking stupid?? WCW NEVER made money when they were running exept for a short period between 1996 and 1998 where, you guessed it, Hogan was on top with the nWo angle. WCW died because the booking got incredibly stupid between 99 and late 2000 that even when things picked up in early 2001 it was too late to save the company, and Hogan wasnt even around for late 2000 and was only used speradically before then. WCW was on borrowed time before Hogan was brought in because they were NEVER making money and would have gone under anyway if the nWo angle didnt take off like it did.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Hogan had the power to change entire shows due to a clause in his contract, and often he used that clause which meant -even if it was the day of the show- the writers and bookers would have to redo the entire show. This meant very little preparation time, which led to mistakes on television that ultimately hurt the product. However, with that said, WCW gave Hogan that power, and they were doing just fine under that system during their peak years - so if Hogans politicing is a constant throughout the years, something else caused the downfall of WCW (ultimately, the AOL/TW merger caused the downfall of WCW - not any wrestlers, or bookers, or Vince McMahon). Granted, Hogans scheming led to several moments people will point out caused the death of WCW, but the WWE has had those moments as well and they're still alive today.

[dubq 0]

Did he really change ENTIRE shows, though? Or just the stuff that had to do with his character?

 

 

 

Either way, to respond to the rest of the thread, I've been watching wrestling since 1980, and from what I can tell Hogan is DEFINITELY the bigger name in history. On Top doesn't necessarily mean "being champion" - it means that he's the most recognized name IN Wrestling.

 

Seriously. Go out there and ask anyone on the street what the first name they think of is when it comes to wrestling. Hulk Fucking Hogan.

 

Also, that line about pulling his dick out was gold!

[MikeJordan23 0]

I find it hard to believe that Austin drew more than Hogan in terms of _entire career_.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Hogan made more money than any othe rwrestler in history-

 

Austin wasn't drawing in his WCW days, ECW, or first couple of years in the WWE-

 

or he hasn't did anything the last 3 or so years.. Injury

 

Theres no debating the drawing power of either men, Hogan wins by a landside-

 

2-4 years, compared to 20-

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I'm talking strictly WWE years. And Austin bought in FAR more money. And I'm not sure if Hogan has more drawing power than Austin in the prime of their life. And Hogan has been on top for 20 years comparing that to 4 years Austin was on top, of course Hogan will have drawn more money over the span of his career. But if Austin didn't get hurt, I would bet it be much closer in terms of revenue created for their careers.

[Guest M. Harry Smilac]

'Uncle Creepy' should just stick to groping his daughter on VH1.

[Black Lushus 0]

Sounds like Hogan's getting a head start on that Wrestlemania 22 build.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

i was thinking that exact same thing...

[Slickster 0]

Sounds like Hogan's getting a head start on that Wrestlemania 22 build.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

i was thinking that exact same thing...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Y'know, if this match actually gets booked, would you guys agree that (in terms of star power) it would be the biggest match in the history of professional wrestling?