Hogan vs Rock WM18

[Boo!]

For me this match still stands out as being the most iconic Wrestlemania moment of the modern era. The match itself if you stripped everything away was quite run of the mill. For a guy of Hogan's age it was a very good effort but by WWE standards of the time it wasn't special.

But oh my God, that crowd. I cannot remember before or since having all the hairs on my neck and arms just stand on end. During the hulk-up it was a scene I've never witnessed before. Fans were not only cheering, they were jumping up and down cheering like they'd just seen their team score the winning touch-down. It was absolutely incredible. If Hogan had got the victory with the leg drop you'd have easily been looking at the biggest pop in wrestling history.

It almost seems unlikely it was eleven years ago, nearly 12. I'd have loved to have seen HHH's face when he heard that crowd and realised that his big come back title win would be greeted with all the enthusiasm as a piss-break Diva's invitational musical chairs segment.

[fw91]

yeah i'd agree with you. but the crowd makes it special, and it was still motn.

["Trickster Dogg" James Jesse]

I was at this Wrestlemania. People were leaving as soon as Triple H hit the Pedigree. We were spent after Hogan/Rock, and the triple threat Women's title match that came after it just sucked the high everyone was feeling right out of the arena. Triple H and Chris Jericho couldn't recover from the damage the 'cool down' match did.

[simplydurhamcalling]

I still watch it again from time to time, I love a good 'workrate' match as much as anyone else but there's something about this that just makes my heart smile, I love it.

[The Ichi]

I think it has to be the second most important WWE match in the history of the company, after Hogan/Andre.

[Deleted]

I honestly believe that the return of the Hulk Up may be the single greatest moment in wrestling history.

When you see the guy in the centre front row who's done nothing but look bored & uncaring all night suddenly jump up, grin, and clap like he's reverted back to his youth, THAT is absolutely priceless. When you see rows and rows doing it creating such a euphoric buzz...that is magic.

[KobashiChop]

Nov 23, 2013 15:46:58 GMT -5 @pauledraperously said:

I honestly believe that the return of the Hulk Up may be the single greatest moment in wrestling history.

When you see the guy in the centre front row who's done nothing but look bored & uncaring all night suddenly jump up, grin, and clap like he's reverted back to his youth, THAT is absolutely priceless. When you see rows and rows doing it creating such a euphoric buzz...that is magic.

That single moment is just sheer magic. When Hogan begins the comeback, everyone knows what's coming and they ALL start losing their shit. Everyone suddenly becomes 15 years younger and they're watching him fight Andre again. It's one of the all time best things I've ever seen come from WWE TV.

[Amazing Kitsune]

One of the best things about it is that it wasn't a manufactured reaction. The WWE had been trying hard to make Hogan get a real heel reaction--going to far as to have him attempt to murder the Rock. It lead to another great run by Hulk Hogan.

It was really magical.

[RIHT]

I wish Rock vs. Cena had been like this, but WWE made it so unnatural and forced, the two matches never lived up to the hype. Guys like Undertaker, CM Punk, and Daniel Bryan stole the hot crowd reactions during both Wrestlemanias, and Twice in a Lifetime disappointing big time.

If they do Austin vs. Punk, however, I think that is the last shot WWE has at a huge dream match and giving us the ultimate pay-off in how good it could be.

[The Beast Disincarnate]

Incredible moment. That's how you show to all the workrate maniacs that wrestling is not only about technical stuff. I admire how Hogan and Rock played with the crowd when they understood what was going on. You see Hogan gets it when he comes out to NWO music, the pop is huge, he quasi instantly starts to act like a face. Rock does the same he understands the thing, and acts like the heel. How many guy would have gotten lost here? That's why Hogan and Rock are the greatest wrestlentertainers of all times even if they're not the most technical.
The crowd is awesome, the guys are awesome, and JR/King are awesome, even if the "mixed reaction" thing is stupid to the point it's funny.

One of my favorite match of all times

here's a link if you want to watch it again, with Hogan entrance (often missing on youtube)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp6gW2MIhb0

[DragonMasterP]

It certainly helps that JR and King were on he top of their game during the match.

"HE BEAT ANDRE THE GIANT WITH THAT MOVE!" stands out.

[Boo!]

I actually think JR struggles to call Hogan matches and save for that line above I think for a large part of the match he sounded quite flustered as if both uncomfortable with the style of match and fan reaction. Hulk doesn't do much but what he does do he doesn't do it in a hurry. JR's not great when he has gaps to fill and I'm unaware of Hogan's college football days. I always feel JR needs for something to happen to 'work'.