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Post by ChitownKnight on Feb 16, 2022 23:41:36 GMT -5
HBK was a pretty good heel in the 90s, but when he came back for his second run he was a face the whole time (except for the match with Hogan). How come they never had a real heel run with him?
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Chiral
Salacious Crumb
Posts: 73,700
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Post by Chiral on Feb 16, 2022 23:48:18 GMT -5
He apparently refused two major things in that run: no championships (past the 02 run) and no longterm heel turns.
*edit no singles championships, he had a few tag title runs in there
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Cranjis McBasketball
Crow T. Robot
Knew what the hell that thing was supposed to be
Peace Love and Nothing But
Posts: 41,938
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Post by Cranjis McBasketball on Feb 16, 2022 23:59:17 GMT -5
Rumour always was he didn't want to turn heel because of his Born Again faith.
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Post by A Platypus Rave on Feb 17, 2022 0:01:14 GMT -5
He apparently refused two major things in that run: no championships (past the 02 run) and no longterm heel turns. closest we really got was the Hogan match... and a few Canada pokes. Which kinda proved he could still do it. |
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Post by Tiffany Stratton's Daddy on Feb 17, 2022 0:45:02 GMT -5
I think his character rallied around his newborn faith in real life, which is awesome. I like when wrestlers can be authentic, and at HBK's level, he could pull it off.
I wish he had a major world title run beyond 2002 because he was well deserving of it. If it's true he asked not to win it, oh well. But if not, what a shame.
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repomark
Unicron
For Mash Get Smash
Posts: 3,050
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Post by repomark on Feb 17, 2022 3:29:39 GMT -5
It’s mad to think that his entire second run in WWE post back injury was a total of eight years. Especially when you compare that with modern times - e.g. Brock Lesnar’s second run is now ten years and counting. Felt so much more epic HBK’s run, but it was surprisingly fleeting when you actually look at the timeframe involved.
Agree that it’s a shame we never got full heel HBK in the second run. You mention the Hogan feud, and to an extent he also channelled it for the Undertaker matches. This was especially true during the whole entrance for mania 25 and his desperation for a rematch build to mania 26, but never full on heel like he was more than capable of doing.
Also agree he should have been champ post 2002, but I suppose he didn’t need the stat padding and just let his volume of work speak for itself. Definitely was more than worthy of a run with either world title at the time though.
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Post by A Platypus Rave on Feb 17, 2022 4:31:35 GMT -5
It’s mad to think that his entire second run in WWE post back injury was a total of eight years. Especially when you compare that with modern times - e.g. Brock Lesnar’s second run is now ten years and counting. Felt so much more epic HBK’s run, but it was surprisingly fleeting when you actually look at the timeframe involved. Agree that it’s a shame we never got full heel HBK in the second run. You mention the Hogan feud, and to an extent he also channelled it for the Undertaker matches. This was especially true during the whole entrance for mania 25 and his desperation for a rematch build to mania 26, but never full on heel like he was more than capable of doing. Also agree he should have been champ post 2002, but I suppose he didn’t need the stat padding and just let his volume of work speak for itself. Definitely was more than worthy of a run with either world title at the time though. It's also weird to think that his comeback run was longer than his original Solo Run. He split from the Rockers in 92 and left in 98, which is 6 years... (and if you count the Rockers Run his second run is only two years shorter) |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2022 4:45:55 GMT -5
He had a great segment with Bryan back in 2013 where he was being a heel. I really wish we could've gotten that match.
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Post by "Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay on Feb 17, 2022 5:17:27 GMT -5
He had a great segment with Bryan back in 2013 where he was being a heel. I really wish we could've gotten that match. HBK never coming back meant I was fine that we never got this match The fact he did come back for one atrocity rather than this now means I am annoyed we never got it |
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Post by facethatrunstheplace on Feb 17, 2022 6:31:00 GMT -5
He had a great segment with Bryan back in 2013 where he was being a heel. I really wish we could've gotten that match. HBK never coming back meant I was fine that we never got this match The fact he did come back for one atrocity rather than this now means I am annoyed we never got it He also turned down the chance to face AJ Styles. |
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Bo Rida
Fry's dog Seymour
Pulled one over on everyone.
Got away with it, this time.
Posts: 23,570
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Post by Bo Rida on Feb 17, 2022 7:07:48 GMT -5
The whole run was a redemption arc, doesn't work as well if he goes back to his old ways. Even if he goes face again afterwards that element is lost, there's nothing to stop it happening multiple times like Kane and Big Show rendering it all meaningless.
He had to resist temptation. There was always tension that he'd lapse back into his old ways, especially the way he'd stand within SCM range during promos.
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Post by Celexa Bliss 54 on Feb 17, 2022 18:41:50 GMT -5
I actually preferred him not fully turning heel but working heel when the situation called for it. Like the WrestleMania matches with Cena and The Undertaker, arguably he worked heel for those, but went back to being a face immediately afterwards. It was great character work by him, someone who didn't want to be the villain, but still did what was necessary to try and get the job done. It also helps that he never won when he went to the dark side, because it fit with his born-again status and the whole "good always triumphs over evil" arc.
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