How big of a mistake, if at all, to you all that Vince never booked Stone Cold Vs Hogan WrestleMania? Obviously, if it were going to be as big as it should have been, it probably would have had to happen between 2001-05, although it would probably still sell as well as Cena vs Rock (even though that's sad to say). I just can't believe as great of a promoter as Vince is he never took his two biggest draws and had them main-event a Mania. Would this match turned out to be a dud or would it have been a classic and why in the world do you think it never happened?
How big of a mistake was it?
- Thread starter Killercam
- Start date
Vince wasn't the problem. Austin was the problem. Austin refused to work with Hogan, knowing the fans would cheer Hogan more just like they did for Hogan when faced the Rock. At least that's the theory I heard about why Austin refused the match. Austin took his ball and went home instead of playing ball.
oneofakind318
Dark Match Winner
If that's what Austin thought then I personally think he was dead wrong. Yes, Hogan's response would have been huge, but there's no way a WWE audience (then or now) treats Austin the same way they treated Rock at 18. I just can't fathom it happening. It would be a Hogan/Warrior type crowd.
But I don't think that theory has any merit anyway. Austin has too much pride in his performance and he knows that match wouldn't have lived up to the hype from that standpoint. Especially as the years went back by he knew he'd need someone to carry him and that's the reason the CM Punk rumors have gained more steam than the Hogan rumors ever did.
You must remember Where Wrestlemania X8 was it was in Toronto in Canada back then Hogan was huge if The Rock was booed like he was so would have Austin Even as a face Austin got Booed when he wrestled Bret in Canada. The Canadian fans don't always cheer for the guys other fans or WWE wants to be cheered you couldn't be more wrong
I always believed it was more of a situation where Hogan refused to lose to Austin. A case where Hogan didn't want to be seen as the lesser of the two in comparison, and considering the politics Hogan has been known to play backstage, it really makes this a valid theory in my opinion. Also, I think Austin played a part in it as well, as I remember hearing that Austin didn't like Hogan personally, and just simply didn't want to work with him.
I really don't think Austin was ever concerned with the crowd reaction he received. The reaction for Hogan would have been the same at Wrestlemania X8, regardless of who he was against, but I think Austin would have embraced the response, and by the end would have much of the crowd back on his side.
I really don't think Austin was ever concerned with the crowd reaction he received. The reaction for Hogan would have been the same at Wrestlemania X8, regardless of who he was against, but I think Austin would have embraced the response, and by the end would have much of the crowd back on his side.
STFU Donnie
Occasional Pre-Show
Austin has said he had no interest in working with Hogan, so this particular "what if" is a moot point...but it raises an issue that I always think people overlook when fantasy booking.
Austin vs Hogan in 2002 would have been a horrible match, with a bad build up. Now if this match happens anytime between 1994-1999, then I'm interested in seeing it. But by 2002 both guys were so broken down physically that it would have been a clusterf**k. And even if for one night, they can turn back the clock and pull it all together for a match, their styles are just diametrically opposed.
Austin was about intensity and physicality. He wanted to get after it before the bell and go at it until the very end. That was his character and style. Hogan was stall for 3 minutes playing to the crowd, and then work softly at a measured pace, stopping to make faces at the crowd or "Hulk up". I just can't see anyway that their styles mesh. So either Austin can't be Austin or Hogan can't be Hogan. Either way, it's not much of a dream match if one of the participants has to work completely different than they normally do.
So often I hear people yearn for matchups that I just don't see creating anything other than a bad match and story. And I know many will disagree here, but all the clamoring for Lesnar vs. Punk is just another one in a long list of two guys who just don't mesh. Now if we are talking about the original Lesnar who actually worked, then I'd be optimistic. But this current version of Lesnar who doesn't work but instead is a faux MMA fighter, who is purely physical, just won't mesh with Punk as we have seen him this last year. Punk doesn't have the size to work physically like HHH and Cena have with Lesnar. Nothing Punk does in the ring would work...unless he completely changes up his style.
The bottom line in 2013, just like Austin/Hogan would have had to do in 2002, either Brock or Punk has to change what they do to accommodate the other guy...so if one guy needs to change what he normally does, then in my opinion, it's not the dream match so many suggest.
Austin vs Hogan in 2002 would have been a horrible match, with a bad build up. Now if this match happens anytime between 1994-1999, then I'm interested in seeing it. But by 2002 both guys were so broken down physically that it would have been a clusterf**k. And even if for one night, they can turn back the clock and pull it all together for a match, their styles are just diametrically opposed.
Austin was about intensity and physicality. He wanted to get after it before the bell and go at it until the very end. That was his character and style. Hogan was stall for 3 minutes playing to the crowd, and then work softly at a measured pace, stopping to make faces at the crowd or "Hulk up". I just can't see anyway that their styles mesh. So either Austin can't be Austin or Hogan can't be Hogan. Either way, it's not much of a dream match if one of the participants has to work completely different than they normally do.
So often I hear people yearn for matchups that I just don't see creating anything other than a bad match and story. And I know many will disagree here, but all the clamoring for Lesnar vs. Punk is just another one in a long list of two guys who just don't mesh. Now if we are talking about the original Lesnar who actually worked, then I'd be optimistic. But this current version of Lesnar who doesn't work but instead is a faux MMA fighter, who is purely physical, just won't mesh with Punk as we have seen him this last year. Punk doesn't have the size to work physically like HHH and Cena have with Lesnar. Nothing Punk does in the ring would work...unless he completely changes up his style.
The bottom line in 2013, just like Austin/Hogan would have had to do in 2002, either Brock or Punk has to change what they do to accommodate the other guy...so if one guy needs to change what he normally does, then in my opinion, it's not the dream match so many suggest.
Steve Austin point blank refuse to work with Hulk Hogan in a one on one manor in 2002. Vince wanted it, and was the main reason he bought the nWo back. Austin has stated this many times, in 2002 his head wasnt in the right place, and he held plenty of resentment towards Hogan from 1994 when Hulk came to WCW, won the WCW Title, and had his mates take over the top spots, especially Hacksaw Duggan beating Austin in 40seconds for the US Title. Auston felt he was big enough then to have a run with Hogan, he was wrong as in WCW at the time, Hulk had great feuds with both Ric Flair and Vader, both hugely more over and main event than Austin was at the time. Austinis the one who looked bad out of it all, he missed a great pay day. then as Hulk got over even more and had the starp on him, Austin saddled a feud with Guerrero, but before it got legs he took his ball and went home. Austin resented the shit out of Hogan back then. Hogan is on record as stating he would have wrestled Austin AND put him over at Mania 18, like he did The Rock. I believe that as Hogan did business the right way in 2002 with Undertaker, Rock, Angle, HHH, Jericho and even Brock Lesnar. He put guys over for the betterment of the company. If only Austin was professional, we may have had a great match.......will never know but on this occasion,. Hogan wasnt the problem, Austin was.
Austin was smart as he knew the games Hogan played. Hogan did it to Warrior at WM6 (he even admits in his book he deliberately handed the belt to Warrior so fans would pay attention to him rather than the new champion) and he did it to Rock at WM18. Austin wanted no part of Hogan (due to his WCW dealings with him) and, from Austins point of view, I don't blame him. His body was falling apart, silly to use one of your last big matches against someone you can't stand.
From my point of view, I'm gutted it didn't happen. The two biggest stars in wrestling history going one on one...would've eclipsed Hogan vs Andre as the biggest WM moment ever
From my point of view, I'm gutted it didn't happen. The two biggest stars in wrestling history going one on one...would've eclipsed Hogan vs Andre as the biggest WM moment ever
Milkomania
The Sneaky Butcher
are you all sure? After watching various dvd's and reading some books I was always under the impression Vince wanted Hogan vs Rock and that is what started Austin down the path that eventually ended with him "taking his ball and going home"
The Butcher
ð¶
The failure to get those two in the ring surely isn't the fault of any one person. When you're talking about Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, and Steve Austin, you're talking about three tremendous egos. I'm sure there were plenty of prideful blunders by all three.
To me, though, it isn't a big mistake. The only time I remember getting excited for it is when, at the Hall of Fame ceremony, Austin said he had a can of whoop ass with Hogan's name on it. Other than that, the match was always something unattainable to me. Even though Austin and Hogan were contemporaries, and even though I'd seen them interact and even wrestle a little, I still always thought of them existing on different planes. It's almost as if deep down I knew the match would never happen, so I never got worked up about it.
Even if all three guys secretly think it was a colossal eff-up, though, it's a moot point now. Hogan can't bump, Austin probably shouldn't, and Vince is probably warming up to the idea of entering some sort of semi-retirement in the not-too-distant future.
It would have been a fun match, to be sure, if only for the "wow, this is really happening" factor. It certainly wouldn't have been an in-ring classic, but would anyone have expected it to be? A match like this is all about spectacle and atmosphere, and that alone would have had most penciling in their first three stars and waiting for the finish before filling in one or two more, depending on whether the reviewer was a bigger mark for the winner or loser.
It was more of a missed opportunity than an outright mistake. The Rock, IMHO, was the right choice. He had more career left, was healthier, and was pretty much Austin's equal in the WWE pecking order at the time. I think things went down the best way they could have. I'm of the mind that that crowd in Toronto was going to boo whoever it was that Hogan faced, and The Rock absorbed it like a champ. Not saying Austin wouldn't have, but The Rock's charisma and willingness to pose down and interact with Hogan made for a memorable post-match scene as well. And hey, Austin-Hogan might not be completely out of the question-- maybe one of Steve's daughters will get into the business and fight Brooke Hogan.
To me, though, it isn't a big mistake. The only time I remember getting excited for it is when, at the Hall of Fame ceremony, Austin said he had a can of whoop ass with Hogan's name on it. Other than that, the match was always something unattainable to me. Even though Austin and Hogan were contemporaries, and even though I'd seen them interact and even wrestle a little, I still always thought of them existing on different planes. It's almost as if deep down I knew the match would never happen, so I never got worked up about it.
Even if all three guys secretly think it was a colossal eff-up, though, it's a moot point now. Hogan can't bump, Austin probably shouldn't, and Vince is probably warming up to the idea of entering some sort of semi-retirement in the not-too-distant future.
It would have been a fun match, to be sure, if only for the "wow, this is really happening" factor. It certainly wouldn't have been an in-ring classic, but would anyone have expected it to be? A match like this is all about spectacle and atmosphere, and that alone would have had most penciling in their first three stars and waiting for the finish before filling in one or two more, depending on whether the reviewer was a bigger mark for the winner or loser.
It was more of a missed opportunity than an outright mistake. The Rock, IMHO, was the right choice. He had more career left, was healthier, and was pretty much Austin's equal in the WWE pecking order at the time. I think things went down the best way they could have. I'm of the mind that that crowd in Toronto was going to boo whoever it was that Hogan faced, and The Rock absorbed it like a champ. Not saying Austin wouldn't have, but The Rock's charisma and willingness to pose down and interact with Hogan made for a memorable post-match scene as well. And hey, Austin-Hogan might not be completely out of the question-- maybe one of Steve's daughters will get into the business and fight Brooke Hogan.
Mustang Sally
Sells seashells by the seashore
All the replies in this thread serve to demonstrate it wasn't McMahon's mistake that prevented this match from happening. In Austin, you had a guy at the height of his fame, who shouldn't lose a mega-match like this.....and in Hogan, you had an over-the-hill former superpower who wouldn't lose it because of his over-inflated ego and belief in his own legend.
I draw parallels between that proposed match and the two between John Cena and the Rock. Both of them showed the true qualities of guys who do what's best for the business. For all the ridiculous hate Cena gets today, look at him next to Steve Austin. Can you imagine SCSA losing to Hogan on WWE's grandest scale in the manner Cena, as the biggest thing in pro wrestling, agreed to lose to Rock at WM28? I can't.
By the same token, can you imagine Hogan allowing himself to fall to Austin the way Rock gracefully took his defeat to Cena at WM29?
No?
Well, neither can I, and that's why we never saw Austin-Hogan.
Austin vs Hogan wouldnt have been any more special or less special than Hogan vs Rock. I dont understand why people act like Austin was so much bigger than The Rock. Austin had more wrestling fans but I believe that more people knew who The Rock was. Austin was huge between 1997-2001 but by the time of WM X8 the rock was on his level. The Rock even won PWI most popular wrestler of the year in 1999 and 2000. The Rock was the face of the company so he should have faced Hogan and that is why Austin didnt
I don't think it was so much of a "mistake", as much as it was a case of the virtual impossibility of having three monumental egos all coexisting at the same time in the same scenario. Sure, it would have been awesome from the perspective of the fans, having arguably two of the best ever in WWE face off head to head. But as Sally said, there was no conceivable way either of these guys was going to concede to the other, and there's no way Vince would have been dictated to by them in the manner they likely would have expected if not demanded. So much like Sting/Undertaker, it will remain as a fan's wet dream which in all likelihood will never happen, and certainly shouldn't at this stage of the game.
Makaveli31
Championship Contender
First and foremost if Vince WANTED Austin vs Hogan Vince WOULD HAVE MADE Austin vs. Hogan simple as that. Vince signs the paychecks and whatever happened out was supposed to happen. Now, as far as a mistake. I don't think so. Rock was just as over as Austin at the point (2002) and was less of a headache considerably backstage. The main point of the 2002 WrestleMania was the return of Hogan. I think it would have been monumental with either Austin or Rock in the main event. But as a person, I believe Rock was easier to get along with than Austin hence Rock getting the main event over Austin. And considering the amount of money that Rock and Hogan drew...No, it was NOT a mistake.
THTRobtaylor
Once & Future Wrestlezone Columnist
They had this even before Austin/Hogan... They never managed to get Flair v Hogan or Hart V Hogan to work either.
Egos would have been part of it, but also Vince himself couldn't either convince them or allow Ric to beat Hogan, the WCW guy beating the WWF guy would never have flown with Vince.
So Austin who had saved the WWF and Hogan who had nearly destroyed it. Vince wouldn't be able to put Hogan over without destroying what had been built since the mid 90's and he couldn't put Austin over without destroying what brought the WWF to the dance to begin with. It was a match that could never have a "no-contest" so how could you have made that choice? Austin had started to cause problems backstage and Hogan had a bad rep with his "fingerpoke and laydown" approach to doing jobs.
That's even before creative control clauses, ego comes into play, before the fan alliances and preferences. You could end up with a match that no one bothers to watch because you "know they're not gonna do it seriously so what's the point?"
Add to that the fact Austin and Hogan were both physically spent by then, Austin's neck was that bad he wasn't going to do much in the ring and Hogan's knees and hips were equally bad. Austin couldn't or wouldn't take a legdrop with his neck so immediately Hogan's main move is gone.... It was so much easier to use Rock to face Hogan as Rocky could handle the physicality needed to make the match live up to billing. The reaction was more serendipity than planned but it gave Hogan a shot in the arm that Austin wouldn't have done so and Rocky a platform to begin his phase out of the business. The ONLY way Austin/Hogan works in 2002 is a handicap tag match, Austin and Rock and Taker v Nash, Hall and Hogan and that takes out the rest of your Mania card.
So if it comes down to Vince's mistake being "not making that choice", I don't buy it for a moment - he doesn't make many mistakes and the company is still here without those feuds. In each of those cases there was a situation where there was an alternative feud that could have made similar money without having to deal with those egos, politics or painful choices. In some cases like Hart v Hogan, yes we lost out on something that could have been special but Flair v Hogan in WCW proved that it was never gonna work in the WWF and if Austin/Hogan was gonna be a money feud then it would have been for WCW in the late 90's not WWF in 2002.
Egos would have been part of it, but also Vince himself couldn't either convince them or allow Ric to beat Hogan, the WCW guy beating the WWF guy would never have flown with Vince.
So Austin who had saved the WWF and Hogan who had nearly destroyed it. Vince wouldn't be able to put Hogan over without destroying what had been built since the mid 90's and he couldn't put Austin over without destroying what brought the WWF to the dance to begin with. It was a match that could never have a "no-contest" so how could you have made that choice? Austin had started to cause problems backstage and Hogan had a bad rep with his "fingerpoke and laydown" approach to doing jobs.
That's even before creative control clauses, ego comes into play, before the fan alliances and preferences. You could end up with a match that no one bothers to watch because you "know they're not gonna do it seriously so what's the point?"
Add to that the fact Austin and Hogan were both physically spent by then, Austin's neck was that bad he wasn't going to do much in the ring and Hogan's knees and hips were equally bad. Austin couldn't or wouldn't take a legdrop with his neck so immediately Hogan's main move is gone.... It was so much easier to use Rock to face Hogan as Rocky could handle the physicality needed to make the match live up to billing. The reaction was more serendipity than planned but it gave Hogan a shot in the arm that Austin wouldn't have done so and Rocky a platform to begin his phase out of the business. The ONLY way Austin/Hogan works in 2002 is a handicap tag match, Austin and Rock and Taker v Nash, Hall and Hogan and that takes out the rest of your Mania card.
So if it comes down to Vince's mistake being "not making that choice", I don't buy it for a moment - he doesn't make many mistakes and the company is still here without those feuds. In each of those cases there was a situation where there was an alternative feud that could have made similar money without having to deal with those egos, politics or painful choices. In some cases like Hart v Hogan, yes we lost out on something that could have been special but Flair v Hogan in WCW proved that it was never gonna work in the WWF and if Austin/Hogan was gonna be a money feud then it would have been for WCW in the late 90's not WWF in 2002.
jacdnwarrior
Championship Contender
It was big mistake. A huge lost opportunity. But that happens when you deal with huge egos.
When I read this, I look at it from a number of different viewpoints. Business wise it'll be a great idea that could make money for all involved. Probably so much money, they (performers etc.) could live off the interest of the earnings without ever touching the principal. From Hogan's view, it's money and would be great for him if he had a long enough and exciting enough rivalry with Austin. Even better if he's booked strong, because his career for the most part is more about him being booked as the eternal hero/villain who rarely if ever loses.
Then you have Austin's view. Austin was in WCW. Had been working hard to establish himself. He's moving up in the company and then Hogan goes there. He saw the treatment Hogan got, how the focus shifts to him and many performers including himself is kicked to the curb. Austin probably disliked this, the attention Hogan got and how he did things backstage.
Austin is fired by WCW, he goes to ECW then WWE, works to build himself into something great, becomes among the greatest (if not the greatest star in the business) and here's Hogan who never helped his career, while in WCW, comes over to WWE, with his track record, and he should just put him over.
It would have been great to see this, I liked the Rock vs Hogan match, but a Hogan vs Austin matchup would have been gravy. Vince should have continued the NWO angle a little longer until they reached this matchup. It was said that Vince didn't like NWO members being cheered so he decided to pull the plug. I find that a little hard to believe but it's possible.
When I read this, I look at it from a number of different viewpoints. Business wise it'll be a great idea that could make money for all involved. Probably so much money, they (performers etc.) could live off the interest of the earnings without ever touching the principal. From Hogan's view, it's money and would be great for him if he had a long enough and exciting enough rivalry with Austin. Even better if he's booked strong, because his career for the most part is more about him being booked as the eternal hero/villain who rarely if ever loses.
Then you have Austin's view. Austin was in WCW. Had been working hard to establish himself. He's moving up in the company and then Hogan goes there. He saw the treatment Hogan got, how the focus shifts to him and many performers including himself is kicked to the curb. Austin probably disliked this, the attention Hogan got and how he did things backstage.
Austin is fired by WCW, he goes to ECW then WWE, works to build himself into something great, becomes among the greatest (if not the greatest star in the business) and here's Hogan who never helped his career, while in WCW, comes over to WWE, with his track record, and he should just put him over.
It would have been great to see this, I liked the Rock vs Hogan match, but a Hogan vs Austin matchup would have been gravy. Vince should have continued the NWO angle a little longer until they reached this matchup. It was said that Vince didn't like NWO members being cheered so he decided to pull the plug. I find that a little hard to believe but it's possible.
I don't think it was a mistake at all. I don't even think I ever had any major interest in that match - other than when Hogan was in wcw and Austin was in wwe (1998ish). Pretty much, that match appealed to me, when it was impossible to happen. In 2002, when Hogan returned to wwe, he vs. Austin didn't have the same allure. And I don't think it would have been a great match anyway. GOOD choice by Vince not to book that match IMO
Hogan never put HHH over, in fact Hogan killed HHH's feel good return from injury be beating him for the Undisputed Title a month after HHH won it. Sure Hogan lost it to Taker soon after, but Hogan' s politics showed up again where he just had to have the title, no matter what. Even his tag title run with Edge wasn't about giving Edge a rub, it was more of Hogan feeding his ego by teaming with a man who was quickly becoming the new star of WWE. Also throw in a still young Orton, who Hogan could have done the right thing and put him over, but Hogan had to beat him too. Just imagine how the "Legend Killer" gimmick for Orton would have exploded had he got a win over the almighty Hulk Hogan. So while there were a couple exceptions, Hogan never really put anyone over.
Jack-Hammer
YOU WILL RESPECT MY AUTHORITAH!!!!
I don't think it was a mistake so much that, in my guess, people's egos simply got in the way of the match being able to take place. That and probably disagreements when it came to money.
I've read various things over the years that allege that Austin didn't want to work with Hogan because he felt Hogan would get a better response. I've also read that Austin didn't want to work with Hogan because Hogan would want to be the one going over in their match. Which scenario is true, if either of them are, is something that I don't think anybody can really say. After all, if someone asks Austin why it didn't happen, he might say one thing while Hogan might say something completely different.
If I had to just make a guess as to what happened, I think it was probably several different factors that just kept the match from being able to take place. One of those factors, in my estimation, would have been money. I saw an episode of Hogan Knows Best years back that centered around Hogan negotiating with Vince to return to WWE and, basically, Hogan wanted the moon & stars to return while Vince simply didn't seem to think he was worth it. He told Hogan that there wasn't a single "top guy" in WWE the way it was back when he was ruling the roost. Hogan himself would later say on the Bubba The Love Sponge show that he was insulted by the payout for his match against Randy Orton at SummerSlam back in '06. According to Hogan, he was given a check for $250,000, wiped his ass with it and threw it away. Personally, I doubt that Hogan threw away a check for a quarter million dollars, especially for wrestling an 11 minute match.
But yeah, I think a lot of it did come down to simple dollars and cents. By that time period, Austin wasn't physically what he used to be and his career was just about over, same with Hogan really. Also, if Hogan would later consider a quarter million dollars a lousy payout, then I have little doubt that he would have wanted an absurd amount to wrestle Austin at WM.
I've read various things over the years that allege that Austin didn't want to work with Hogan because he felt Hogan would get a better response. I've also read that Austin didn't want to work with Hogan because Hogan would want to be the one going over in their match. Which scenario is true, if either of them are, is something that I don't think anybody can really say. After all, if someone asks Austin why it didn't happen, he might say one thing while Hogan might say something completely different.
If I had to just make a guess as to what happened, I think it was probably several different factors that just kept the match from being able to take place. One of those factors, in my estimation, would have been money. I saw an episode of Hogan Knows Best years back that centered around Hogan negotiating with Vince to return to WWE and, basically, Hogan wanted the moon & stars to return while Vince simply didn't seem to think he was worth it. He told Hogan that there wasn't a single "top guy" in WWE the way it was back when he was ruling the roost. Hogan himself would later say on the Bubba The Love Sponge show that he was insulted by the payout for his match against Randy Orton at SummerSlam back in '06. According to Hogan, he was given a check for $250,000, wiped his ass with it and threw it away. Personally, I doubt that Hogan threw away a check for a quarter million dollars, especially for wrestling an 11 minute match.
But yeah, I think a lot of it did come down to simple dollars and cents. By that time period, Austin wasn't physically what he used to be and his career was just about over, same with Hogan really. Also, if Hogan would later consider a quarter million dollars a lousy payout, then I have little doubt that he would have wanted an absurd amount to wrestle Austin at WM.
It's...Baylariat!
Team Finnley Baylor
Hogan and Austin would look great on paper, but the politics and the chicanery that would take place before this match wouldn't make it worthwhile to go through with it. Think of Goldberg vs. Lesnar. Two guys, who wanted fuck all to do with each other, had an awful match. Not to mention putting Stone Cold as a special referee, which gave us the best parts of the match when he stunned both Lesnar and Goldberg.
Hogan vs Austin is a dream match - not because of the two combatants, but because you'll never get Austin and Hogan on the same page when it comes to who should do what? And as mentioned before, you risk alienating two of the biggest legacies in WWE history by either having Austin or Hogan booed. You're making the fans choose a side, just like in the Rock vs Hogan showdown. The fans chose Hogan, even though Hogan was the bad guy. What makes you think the fans wouldn't want to see Hogan down the biggest rebel the WWE's ever seen? And when that happens, everything Austin stood for was beaten by 'prayers, vitamins, and Hulkamania'. No one benefits from this match long term. The buys would have been through the roof, but long term, it would be tough to market both Austin and Hogan.
Hogan vs Austin is a dream match - not because of the two combatants, but because you'll never get Austin and Hogan on the same page when it comes to who should do what? And as mentioned before, you risk alienating two of the biggest legacies in WWE history by either having Austin or Hogan booed. You're making the fans choose a side, just like in the Rock vs Hogan showdown. The fans chose Hogan, even though Hogan was the bad guy. What makes you think the fans wouldn't want to see Hogan down the biggest rebel the WWE's ever seen? And when that happens, everything Austin stood for was beaten by 'prayers, vitamins, and Hulkamania'. No one benefits from this match long term. The buys would have been through the roof, but long term, it would be tough to market both Austin and Hogan.
Makaveli31
Championship Contender
The ONLY ego that matters is Vince McMahon's Plain and simple. There have been NUMEROUS examples that if a wrestler (no matter who it is) dosen't do what's best for business the walk. Ask Bret Hart, ask Hulk Hogan, ask Steve Austin now granted they were all past their peaks but I have no doubt in my mind if Vince wanted Austin v. Hogan he would've got it and who whomever was SUPPOSED to lay down WOULD HAVE LAID DOWN. Period.
But didn't Hogan have creative control over his character? I know he did in WCW, which is why he only lost a few times cleanly. He got to pick who he lost to and how he lost, and went over everyone else. I'm pretty sure that would have been the case in WWE as well. The bottom line on all of this is that Austin vs. Hogan was never going to happen, no matter what. It was a doomed match to begin with, and honestly, it's probably best for everyone that it didn't. Like has been said on this topic already, it would have destroyed everything that the loser of the match had built.
FlairFan2003
Mid-Card Championship Winner
Austin learned the hard way that if you dont protect yourself no one will. He had plenty of bad experiences with Hogan in WCW and had no desire to work with him, period. He also didnt need to, his career was made, a PPV vs Hogan wasnt adding much to his legacy.
Austin was also dealing with injuries that would soon force him into retirement but not before he would refuse to lose on TV vs Lesnar and effectively be taken off TV by Vince.
Austin pre WWE was the epitome of a company first, follow the script, kind of guy, after the Hogan-Bischoff machine burned him in WCW (and he saw what happened to Brett "The Overpaid Man" Hart in WWE, plus watching from a distance what WCW did to Ric Flair) he became as "poltically savvy" as Hogan as ever was. Look at him now, cut down in his prime with at least 10 more good years of matches left in him, think WWE still pays him a seen figure salary ? No way. Wrestling is a hard, bitter business.
If Austin didnt like and/or trust Hogan he had good reason, and again, his career was made, he didnt need that match. As for Hogan, it makes little difference in his career either, and the lack of this match does almost nothing to his legacy, good and bad, in the ring and backstage.
Austin was also dealing with injuries that would soon force him into retirement but not before he would refuse to lose on TV vs Lesnar and effectively be taken off TV by Vince.
Austin pre WWE was the epitome of a company first, follow the script, kind of guy, after the Hogan-Bischoff machine burned him in WCW (and he saw what happened to Brett "The Overpaid Man" Hart in WWE, plus watching from a distance what WCW did to Ric Flair) he became as "poltically savvy" as Hogan as ever was. Look at him now, cut down in his prime with at least 10 more good years of matches left in him, think WWE still pays him a seen figure salary ? No way. Wrestling is a hard, bitter business.
If Austin didnt like and/or trust Hogan he had good reason, and again, his career was made, he didnt need that match. As for Hogan, it makes little difference in his career either, and the lack of this match does almost nothing to his legacy, good and bad, in the ring and backstage.
FlairFan2003
Mid-Card Championship Winner
After the Brett Hart-HBK debacle Vince cracked down on wrestlers having "creative control" over opponents and match finishes. That is not to say that some top wrestlers do not have some say or input but everyone is expected to follow the script once it's laid down. If John Cena faces Undertaker it would undoubtedly be a big match, Cena and Taker would both have input into the angle, promos, and the match itself but niether one would have veto power via "Creative Control". Hogan had considerable input during his 2002-03 run also but he didnt have final say on finishes. That is why he left the company after he disagreed (bit went through with) The Lesnar match. returning only for single PPV bouts where he would be booked to win.
FlairFan2003
Mid-Card Championship Winner
Rock was a great choice to face Hogan on a stacked WrestleMania card that incuded Austin-Hall, Flair-Taker, and HHH-Jericho for the Undisputed Title. Rock was about as big as Austin, they were both huge, and like Hogan The Rock was an international star outside of wrestling, more so than Austin.
Yes, Vince couldnt get Hogan-Hart to work, both wrestler's have vastly different takes on why (it' almost like two totally different stories really). My money is Hogan didnt think Hart was big enough to "Pass The Torch" to so he wanted a screwjob loss to a major villain that would both boast the villain's profile as a main eventer and allow Hogan a graceful return if he wanted. Enter Yokozuna.
With Flair the steroid investigation took the glean off that match up. Foolishly WWE booked them on two house show tours through out the US, one of them when niether had the belt. This match should have been saved for a major PPV. Flair's super-impressive win at Royal Rumble and Hogan's WrestleMania dominance would seem to have added some luster back but it was a foregone conclusion that Hogan & Piper were leaving after WM due to the federal steroid probe. Hogan (and I believe Vince too) werent going going to damage Hogan's brand with a loss to his arch rival if there was no timetable for a return (remember Yokozuna needed a win over Hogan to be established, Flair was the biggest thing in wrestling that wasnt Hogan already, beating him at WM would have elevated him well past Hogan in the fans view). Likewise since Flair was staying it made little sense to have Hogan beat him and leave, why damage his brand for nothing when he would still be working for you. I believe that is why we got Hogan's Retirement Match vs Sid (horrible match, lazy feud, a lousy send off considering Hogan's status) and the critically acclaimed Flair-Savage match and subsequent feud. If it hadnt been for the steroid investigation I think Vince would have pulled this one off.
