10 Absolute Worst Matches In The History Of WrestleMania

3. Hulk Hogan Vs. Sid Justice - WrestleMania VIII

Melina Ashley Massaro
WWEcom

By 1992, even if the gigantic (though papered) Hoosier Dome crowd betrayed the wider sentiment, fans had tired of the rote, to-the-minute Hulk Hogan comeback formula. After the Hogan versus Ric Flair house show series failed to ignite the box office, McMahon reverted to type and booked Hogan to oppose Sid Justice in the main event.

More so than Sid's match with the Undertaker, this remains the worst headliner in 'Mania history.

The pre-match hype was absolutely blinding. Hogan and Vince McMahon shared a tender, reality-infused moment in their sobering sit-down interview. This was spliced with footage of Sid telling Mean Gene Okerlund to "Shut up, you fat, bald-headed little oaf!" - but the good form didn't continue between the ropes. Sid spent the first five minutes on the outside, having been thrown out the ring about nine times. The two behemoths engaged in the customary test of strength spot, before Hogan spent near enough the rest of the match fighting from underneath, as he was wont to do.

The timing didn't help. Hogan had transcended his formula in excellent and very different matches at 'Manias V and VI - but here, he followed it to the letter. This was a pale imitation of the Andre match at 'Mania III.

The heat compensated for it, but the legendarily botched finish added embarrassment to the tedium. Papa Shango missed his cue (and was somehow rewarded with a near record of renewed pushes), making an absolute mess of the intended disqualification finish.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!