10 Most Anticipated Wrestling Matches Of All-Time (That Actually Happened)

3. The Rock vs. "Hollywood" Hogan

It's not often that something with such high hopes can live up to the hype, but two of the biggest names in the sport did just that in 2002-- and it wasn't even the WWE's first choice. As Hulk Hogan and the nWo made their WWF return in early 2002, the company hoped for a potential Hulk Hogan vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin match. As Austin made public on his career retrospect DVD, he didn't like the ideas presented to him, and instead opted to face nWo member Scott Hall. This cleared the way for two of the best entertainers in wrestling history to compete at WrestleMania X8-- The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan. The set up to the match was simple-- Hogan and his nWo cohorts disrespected The Rock backstage, and the following night he challenged Hogan to a match at WrestleMania. In the few weeks that followed the actual angle that played out on TV was secondary to the anticipation of the match itself. Nobody will ever accuse the match of being the most technically sound, athletic, catch wrestling based contest, but Hogan and Rock entertained and told a story in a manner that few others could. Hulk Hogan received an unbelievable ovation from the Toronto crowd, as the duo had everyone in the arena hanging by a thread. Hogan would essentially pass the torch to The Rock, being defeated by the much younger superstar. WWE would try to capture the magic at No Way Out 2003, but were unable to replicate the aura of the first encounter.