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The loss of the WWE icon, Hulk Hogan, left many memories of their favorite moments with him inside the ring, where his exuberant personality and his sporting talent came to life in front of thousands of people.
Jonathan Coachman, a former WWE broadcaster, spent time doing exactly that on Outkick’s “Mic”, and the only match he mentioned in particular was what some people consider among the first 10 of all time.
It was the “Hulkster” against Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in Wrestlemania X8.
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Hollywood Hulk Hogan, on the left, and the rock was fighting at Wrestlemania X8. (George Pimentel / Wireimage)
“I have probably only had three or four times all my career, which lasted more than a decade to WWE, where I went out on the ground. The one I wanted to be there, and it was the most amazing 45 minutes of my career, watching the fans watch these two icons, and they changed the match because the fans wanted to encourage Hulk Hogan and Boo the rock.”
“So, it was such a unique moment to see the Hulk, which was not physically where he had to be and it was essentially the section for him to go so long in a match. It was a magical evening, and I always look at him as one of the strong points of my career.”
The match took place in Toronto at Skydome, where these two were the main attraction. The match was nicknamed “Icon against Icon”, and it was the first appearance of Hogan Wrestlemania since Wrestlemania IX in 1993.
Hulk Hogan professional wrestling icon died at 71
The scenario at the time was rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin against the New World Order, which consisted of Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. The rock had put Hogan to Hogan in a Wrestlemania match, and Hogan shook hands in agreement.
However, the movement of the signing of the rock, “Rock Bottom”, was released instead of letting go of Hogan, leading to the quarrel that accumulated until the match arrived in March 2002 north of the border.
“This is what the wrestling company has always been: the construction of great moments. Building with major shows and making them pay,” said Coachman. “And until the mid-90s or at the end of the 90s, Hogan was really the guy above and beyond anyone. While we entered the 2000s, things started to happen and there was good and there was trouble. Being able to put this match together, and your words are great, because I wanted to feel it. There was no better time. “
The crowd was electric throughout the night, and some even thought it was one of the most noisy pro wrestling crowds of all time when these two exchanged back and forth for more than half an hour.
Coachman also said that it was the rock that had kept Hogan there as long as they did. There was even a certain improvisation that was to be made in the middle of the match.
Hollywood Hulk Hogan, right, and rock face Wrestlemania X8. (George Pimentel / Wireimage)
“I don’t know that the match would never have taken place because Rock was at his peak at that time. He had to give Hogan so much to make this match credible,” he said. “Then what was so shocking, they had worked on this match for weeks. They even set up a ring at the hotel and we praised it all week. They worked there for so many hours.
“Then, to walk in the ring with 80,000 or that many people are there, they have managed to change it completely because there are certain things that you can do as a good guy, you cannot do as bad guys and vice versa. For rock not stand there, and people watch the match, they approached for 10 minutes.
In the end, The Rock came out victorious on Hogan, and Nash and Hall did not like Hogan showing respect for rock. Nash and Hall started beating Hogan, who was actually out of NWO at that time.
The rock ended up coming with Hogan, and as a huge sign of respect, he asked Hogan to pose with him in the ring to greet the crowd.
“For me, this is the ultimate in our business,” said Coachman. “I fought for three or four years. If I had to spend 10 or 12 minutes, it was a long time for me. These guys, they held the crowd in the palm of their hand and it was the greatness of Hulk Hogan the character and Hulk Hogan the wrestler for so many years.”
Hollywood Hulk Hogan and The Rock compete in Wrestlemania X8. (George Pimentel / Wireimage)
Hogan died at the age of 71 due to an alleged “cardiac arrest” at his home in Clearwater, Florida, according to TMZ Sports.
“WWE is saddened to learn the WWE renown temple, Hulk Hogan has died,” the company wrote in a statement. “One of the most recognizable figures in pop culture, Hogan helped WWE obtain global recognition in the 1980s.
“WWE has its condolences to the family, friends and fans of Hogan.”
