Hogan's WCW run Pre nWo 94-96

[Limity (BLM)]

Feb 19, 2017 15:24:27 GMT -5 MichaelMartini said:

Feb 19, 2017 15:15:47 GMT -5 chronocross said:

I didn't really mind the Hogan/Vader matches as Hogan never actually beat Vader for a 3 count, it was usually some cluster or a DQ or Hogan leaving the cage before he did.

As for the other stuff yeah it was silly, even as a Hogan fan then.

I liked the addition of Luger turning heel on Savage/Hogan but not on Sting, because he still was his friend.

Agreed. Hogan didn't make Vader look like a joke from the matched I've seen. In fact Vader looked like an absolute beast in the Superbrawl match. He took an impressive amount of stiff bumps for him. It wasn't a clean win either.

Im really curious to see the Slamboree match now. I just checked my Hogan dvds to see if they had it. Nope. :/

[The 1Watcher Experience]

Such a terrible time for WCW. They were lucky that the NWO and the exposure on Nitro turned the company around.

[A Platypus Rave]

Feb 21, 2017 8:50:18 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

I've heard it said that part of why Flair worked Hogan so many times, and why he brought in his cronies, was because most everyone in WCW didn't want to work him. I think because, frankly, working Hogan had lost some of its luster. In the 80s, it meant huge paydays, bigger than any they could reasonably expect and tons of exposure, for a short program, so it really didn't matter if you lost, you'd be a mark or a fool in most cases to turn it down. That was when Hogan's act was fresh, though. By the time he came to WCW, that wasn't the case so much, and there were fewer other avenues to explore after ending a feud with him with the territories dried up.

If they had been willing to play ball, maybe they'd be justified in their hesitation and he'd have been selfish with them, but I figure we'd have got less stagnation of the company prior to Hall's arrival.

I remember hearing that is entirely why the Dungeon of Doom was a thing.

Because none of the WCW guys wanted to deal with Hogan's goofy super hero schtick... so they made this goofy stable of villains that no one really cared about to get squashed.

it also didn't help that the WCW crowd didn't really want to see Hogan's superhero schtick either... and was booed pretty often.

[HMARK Center]

I was just watching the OSW Review episode where they watch Starrcade '94, and it stood out how they kind of teased Hogan acting heelish during his promos and his interactions with guys like Savage. Obviously that all eventually paved the way for that weird "Dark Side of Hulkamania" angle, but at the time it seemed like an interesting idea, at least acknowledging that the crowd wasn't into Hogan and that Hogan might've felt, for the first time, kind of flustered: crowds not universally adoring him, his best friend (Beefcake) betraying him, Randy Savage constantly teasing a knife in the back on him, etc. etc. etc.

But then you watch all of Hogan's matches during that era, and it's basically just the boilerplate Hogan white meat babyface match layout, same spots and same trajectory. If you're going to tell the story of Hogan having to doubt himself for the first time, why would you not play that out in the psychology/story of Hogan's matches during that time? Well, we likely know the answer (Hogan wanted to look strong), but you know what I mean.

[mizerable]

I'll never understand how people say that Hogan steamrolled Vader. That was a great feud where Hogan truly only beat him once.

Vader was allowed to power out of the legdrop. Yet the only thing people seem to remember is Hogan hulking up after receiving the powerbomb the first time. Keep in mind this wasn't even a beat down on Hogan...it wasn't THAT much of an issue. But the revisionists will say otherwise.

Hogan WCW had a lot of crap, but this was not part of that.

[CMWaters]

Feb 21, 2017 12:27:47 GMT -5 HMARK Center said:

I was just watching the OSW Review episode where they watch Starrcade '94, and it stood out how they kind of teased Hogan acting heelish during his promos and his interactions with guys like Savage. Obviously that all eventually paved the way for that weird "Dark Side of Hulkamania" angle, but at the time it seemed like an interesting idea, at least acknowledging that the crowd wasn't into Hogan and that Hogan might've felt, for the first time, kind of flustered: crowds not universally adoring him, his best friend (Beefcake) betraying him, Randy Savage constantly teasing a knife in the back on him, etc. etc. etc.

But then you watch all of Hogan's matches during that era, and it's basically just the boilerplate Hogan white meat babyface match layout, same spots and same trajectory. If you're going to tell the story of Hogan having to doubt himself for the first time, why would you not play that out in the psychology/story of Hogan's matches during that time? Well, we likely know the answer (Hogan wanted to look strong), but you know what I mean.

One exception to that I think was the Nitro match between Sting and Hogan from 95.

Then again this is when the Darkside of Hulkamania thing was in full force. Either way, despite the ending, it's a better match than the Starrcade 97 match, IMO.

[Deleted]

Feb 21, 2017 13:18:20 GMT -5 mizerable said:

I'll never understand how people say that Hogan steamrolled Vader. That was a great feud where Hogan truly only beat him once.

Vader was allowed to power out of the legdrop. Yet the only thing people seem to remember is Hogan hulking up after receiving the powerbomb the first time. Keep in mind this wasn't even a beat down on Hogan...it wasn't THAT much of an issue. But the revisionists will say otherwise.

Hogan WCW had a lot of crap, but this was not part of that.

Agreed. The fact that Shawn made Vader look ten times worse a year or so later often gets overlooked as well. Hogan kicked out of everyone's finish. Hell, he popped back up after a Tombstone at Survivor Series 1991. I think fans kind of just understood that Hogan was the outlier and accepted it for what it was.

[ANuclearError]

It wasn't hot.

[Milkman Norm]

Feb 21, 2017 14:07:40 GMT -5 ANuclearError said:

It wasn't hot.

There are no Hulkamaniacs here!

[Limity (BLM)]

Feb 21, 2017 13:24:51 GMT -5 CMWaters said:

Feb 21, 2017 12:27:47 GMT -5 HMARK Center said:

I was just watching the OSW Review episode where they watch Starrcade '94, and it stood out how they kind of teased Hogan acting heelish during his promos and his interactions with guys like Savage. Obviously that all eventually paved the way for that weird "Dark Side of Hulkamania" angle, but at the time it seemed like an interesting idea, at least acknowledging that the crowd wasn't into Hogan and that Hogan might've felt, for the first time, kind of flustered: crowds not universally adoring him, his best friend (Beefcake) betraying him, Randy Savage constantly teasing a knife in the back on him, etc. etc. etc.

But then you watch all of Hogan's matches during that era, and it's basically just the boilerplate Hogan white meat babyface match layout, same spots and same trajectory. If you're going to tell the story of Hogan having to doubt himself for the first time, why would you not play that out in the psychology/story of Hogan's matches during that time? Well, we likely know the answer (Hogan wanted to look strong), but you know what I mean.

One exception to that I think was the Nitro match between Sting and Hogan from 95.

Then again this is when the Darkside of Hulkamania thing was in full force. Either way, despite the ending, it's a better match than the Starrcade 97 match, IMO.

Yet another match that piques my interest and isn't on any of my Hogan dvds.

[CMWaters]

Feb 21, 2017 16:09:06 GMT -5 Limity (BLM) said:

Feb 21, 2017 13:24:51 GMT -5 CMWaters said:

One exception to that I think was the Nitro match between Sting and Hogan from 95.

Then again this is when the Darkside of Hulkamania thing was in full force. Either way, despite the ending, it's a better match than the Starrcade 97 match, IMO.

Yet another match that piques my interest and isn't on any of my Hogan dvds.

Whether you do or don't have the WWE Network, it was the 11/20/95 edition of Nitro.

Think it was on a collection called "Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series".

[Deleted]

Feb 19, 2017 15:33:14 GMT -5 @therealoblivion said:

I've never understood being "allowed" to have certain ppvs off. I mean, if you are a pro wrestler, why wouldn't you want a ppv payday?

Hogan always believed in the adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder & chose to take shows off to do projects... Or not be associated with potential flops (Starrcade 1995). Because Hogan only wanted to be there for the good times & not when his weaknesses would actually appear.

The irony was that Nitro, quality wise & from the ratings, was doing better WITHOUT Hogan in late spring of 1996, when he attempted another break to maintain his pop & stayed gone too long.

[OVO 40 hunched over like he 80]

The problems for Hogan started when he worked in building other than the Disney sound stage. I don't think the hardcore nwa fans respected his style.

He also had a problem with opponents. Except Ric Flair, no major star wanted to put him over. Ric in his book said that neither Rude nor Vader wanted to work with him. Because of this, and since Hogan couldn't beat Flair every night, the stupid dungeon of doom was created.

The dungeon of doom consisted of Hogan's flunkies, they had no problem jobbing to Hulk because he was the only reason they worked there. Honky Tonk Man also claimed that Hogan brought his friends there to take the control away from Ric Flair's camp.

The other problem was Hulk's creative control, he pretty much booked his own storylines and only approved the goofy cartoon style of the wwf, another reason the wcw fans didn't respond well.

We got to see Paul Wight win the belt in his first match ever and Hogan beating him. We got to see monster trucks and a yeti butt humping Hogan.

Kevin Sullivan who was in the booking comitee wanted to stir Hulk into serious stuff, so he pitched a cage match between he and the giant against Hogan and Savage, using his creative control, Hulk change the match and he beat like 10 men.

After the match sucked so much, Hogan realized that the cartoon stuff was killing him, and according to Sullivan he started listening more to him.

[willywonka666]

If I had been really watching at the time and been an NWA/WCW purist I would have been outraged

[AJ Smudgico]

I was intrigued by this thread as I love a bit of wrestling history, so I went on to the WCW ppvs on WWE Network to see where Hogan was indeed going. On the ppv 1995 page, any WCW show using Hogan actually had the same picture for each one. I dunno if these are official promo posters or not, but I find it hilarious

[The Dark Order Inferno]

Feb 21, 2017 19:26:54 GMT -5 OVO 40 hunched over like he 80 said:

The problems for Hogan started when he worked in building other than the Disney sound stage. I don't think the hardcore nwa fans respected his style.

He also had a problem with opponents. Except Ric Flair, no major star wanted to put him over. Ric in his book said that neither Rude nor Vader wanted to work with him. Because of this, and since Hogan couldn't beat Flair every night, the stupid dungeon of doom was created.

The dungeon of doom consisted of Hogan's flunkies, they had no problem jobbing to Hulk because he was the only reason they worked there. Honky Tonk Man also claimed that Hogan brought his friends there to take the control away from Ric Flair's camp.

The other problem was Hulk's creative control, he pretty much booked his own storylines and only approved the goofy cartoon style of the wwf, another reason the wcw fans didn't respond well.

We got to see Paul Wight win the belt in his first match ever and Hogan beating him. We got to see monster trucks and a yeti butt humping Hogan.

Kevin Sullivan who was in the booking comitee wanted to stir Hulk into serious stuff, so he pitched a cage match between he and the giant against Hogan and Savage, using his creative control, Hulk change the match and he beat like 10 men.

After the match sucked so much, Hogan realized that the cartoon stuff was killing him, and according to Sullivan he started listening more to him.

Didn't Rude get injured shortly after Hogan's signing? Can't work with a guy when you can't work at all, plus Hogan had little interest in a long term feud with Rude in the WWF so I'm not sure he'd be that interested in working with him years later, not when Tenta, Beefcake and others were available.

[Futureraven: Beelzebruv]

Feb 21, 2017 17:36:34 GMT -5 @jdogindy said:

Feb 19, 2017 15:33:14 GMT -5 @therealoblivion said:

I've never understood being "allowed" to have certain ppvs off. I mean, if you are a pro wrestler, why wouldn't you want a ppv payday?

Hogan always believed in the adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder & chose to take shows off to do projects... Or not be associated with potential flops (Starrcade 1995). Because Hogan only wanted to be there for the good times & not when his weaknesses would actually appear.

The irony was that Nitro, quality wise & from the ratings, was doing better WITHOUT Hogan in late spring of 1996, when he attempted another break to maintain his pop & stayed gone too long.

Also, didn't Hogan's contract have clauses so he got paid a % of the profits even when he wasn't on the show?

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Feb 22, 2017 15:43:00 GMT -5 Futureraven: Beelzebruv said:

Feb 21, 2017 17:36:34 GMT -5 @jdogindy said:

Hogan always believed in the adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder & chose to take shows off to do projects... Or not be associated with potential flops (Starrcade 1995). Because Hogan only wanted to be there for the good times & not when his weaknesses would actually appear.

The irony was that Nitro, quality wise & from the ratings, was doing better WITHOUT Hogan in late spring of 1996, when he attempted another break to maintain his pop & stayed gone too long.

Also, didn't Hogan's contract have clauses so he got paid a % of the profits even when he wasn't on the show?

I believe he got a certain percentage of the gate regardless if he was at the PPV or not. I believe he also had something in his contract to the extent of no one could get paid higher than him. Add that with his big downside on the contract, when he actually did wrestle that is even more money for his pockets. 

[James Fabiano]

Feb 21, 2017 16:16:21 GMT -5 CMWaters said:

Feb 21, 2017 16:09:06 GMT -5 Limity (BLM) said:

Yet another match that piques my interest and isn't on any of my Hogan dvds.

Whether you do or don't have the WWE Network, it was the 11/20/95 edition of Nitro.

Think it was on a collection called "Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collector's Series".

I think it and the Slamboree tag match is there.

[Mozenrath]

Feb 22, 2017 15:43:00 GMT -5 Futureraven: Beelzebruv said:

Feb 21, 2017 17:36:34 GMT -5 @jdogindy said:

Hogan always believed in the adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder & chose to take shows off to do projects... Or not be associated with potential flops (Starrcade 1995). Because Hogan only wanted to be there for the good times & not when his weaknesses would actually appear.

The irony was that Nitro, quality wise & from the ratings, was doing better WITHOUT Hogan in late spring of 1996, when he attempted another break to maintain his pop & stayed gone too long.

Also, didn't Hogan's contract have clauses so he got paid a % of the profits even when he wasn't on the show?

Hogan in WCW is quite possibly/probably the highest paid wrestler in history, so I wouldn't doubt it.