10 Historic 2002 Raw & SmackDown Moments To Check Out On WWE Network

By Jamie Kennedy /

3. The Rock Challenges Hollywood Hogan

When the nWo started showing up on WWF television in February, 2002, they were supposed to be heels. Something the company didn't foresee was that fans were delighted to see Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Hollywood Hogan. Specifically, people were over the moon that Hogan was back 'home', and treated him like a returning hero. Quickly, the decision was made to move Hulk into a feud against one of the WWF's top stars, The Rock. Nobody who witnessed it will ever forget watching The Rock and Hulk Hogan go face-to-face on the February 18th broadcast of Raw. The Rock challenged Hogan to a match at the upcoming WrestleMania X-8 event, one which was accepted by the Hulkster. Fans went ballistic for the announcement, and the bout became the true main event in the eyes of the fans. Triple H vs. Chris Jericho may have went on last, but even the WWF agreed that Rock vs. Hogan was the bigger deal. Both men appeared on promotional materials for the show, and managed to elicit huge reactions from the crowd on Raw for their verbal joust.