The Original Main Event for Spring Stampede 99

[The Boss]

While watching the video posted below I heard the announcers stating that the Spring Stampede 1999 main event was signed to be HOLLYWOOD HULK HOGAN vs Ric Flair for the WCW World title. I remember HOLLYWOOD HULK HOGAN earned the title shot via a victory over DDP.

What were the circumstances that changed the match to the 4 way that saw DDP win the title?

http://www.youtubeskip.com/watch?v=43Snyc1z2uc

 

[Electric Chair]

I believe that Hogan was having his knee worked on after the match and they thought he may not be able to run a full match with Flair. So, they had him lose in the 4-way when he had the figure four placed on him around the post, Bret Hart style. This gave him a story line to be out. If you remember they had cameras follow him and EZE to the doctors to watch the procedure. I have old VHS footage somewhere. I hope this helps. I may not be 100% on but I know I am 99% close.

Hulk Rules!

 

[sward]

I was at this PPV...I was convinced that Hogan was going to come back out during the match and win (since Hogan never loses)...I was shocked and happy the DDP won the title

 

[justtxyank]

I believe that Hogan was having his knee worked on after the match and they thought he may not be able to run a full match with Flair. So, they had him lose in the 4-way when he had the figure four placed on him around the post, Bret Hart style. This gave him a story line to be out. If you remember they had cameras follow him and EZE to the doctors to watch the procedure. I have old VHS footage somewhere. I hope this helps. I may not be 100% on but I know I am 99% close.

Hulk Rules!

Hogan was actually supposed to win the match. At least that's what I've always heard. The original plan was for him to win the title, but his knee got hurt during the match and they audibled to a DDP title win.

 

[Dagron]

I remember this like it was yesterday. Hogan was burying talent, doing 5 moves of doom and no selling before it was cool. When he didn't find a way to win this match I was floored. It would be interesting to find out if Hogan really was supposed to win in the four way, and if so, how did they decide so quickly who would win?

 

[obamartins]

Hogan needed knee surgery so the work load was shared out plus WCW management may have felt they needed something fresh to draw on PPV considering Hogan vs. Flair had headlined the past 2 prior PPV's.

Interesting titbit according to PWTorch Newsletter #542 April 3rd 1999 The originally slated main event was Dusty Rhodes & Kevin Nash & Hulk Hogan vs. Booker T & Dallas Page & Ric Flair.

PWTorch Newsletter #543 April 10th 1999 reported...

The Dusty Rhodes angle appears to have been dropped. He was originally scheduled to be in the Spring Stampede main event before it was changed. The main event changed several times in the days leading up to Nitro. At one point it was a three–way match, then Sting was added to the mix…

 

[obamartins]

I remember this like it was yesterday. Hogan was burying talent, doing 5 moves of doom and no selling before it was cool. When he didn't find a way to win this match I was floored. It would be interesting to find out if Hogan really was supposed to win in the four way, and if so, how did they decide so quickly who would win?

DDP states on one of his Youtube blogs that Nash decided DDP would win & Hogan agreed with Nash.