Hulk Hogan was the most beloved babyface of the 1980s. He transcended wrestling, becoming a household name and being the man behind whom the WWFs national (and international) expansion was branded. But by the 1990s, things were changing. Hogans sparkle was wearing off and many fans were tired of his act. After leaving the WWF, he joined rivals WCW in 1994 and for a while, enjoyed a renaissance as the classic babyface dressed in his familiar red and yellow. However, by the following year, the novelty of Hogan in WCW had worn off and both he and his act were looking old. Hogan began flirting with the idea of changing his look, dressing in all black at times. In the spring of 1996, the landscape of WCW changed dramatically when Scott Hall and Kevin Nash made the jump from WWF. Although heels, they were the new act, and to many, the coolest act, in the promotion, and they made Hogan look dated. With his popularity waning, Hogan, who had creative control on his character, decided to pull the trigger and at Bash at the Beach 1996, he shocked the world by turning heel. Hall & Nash were supposed to have a third partner for their main event match against Sting, Lex Luger & Randy Savage. Luger was knocked out and taken to the back to make things two-on-two. Savage hit a number of trademark flying axe handles on his foes before Nash hit a low blow. With all four men down, a commotion from the crowd indicated that Hogan, clad in red and yellow, was making his way to the ring. He ripped off his shirt as usual, and then legdropped Savage, who was lying prone in the ring. Twice. There was genuine shock in the arena. The match was abandoned. Children were crying. Fans were tearing up Hogan merchandise and throwing rubbish into the ring. One man even jumped the rail and tried to enter the ring (not a good move as he soon discovered). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hILCw66sLU Hogans post match interview, standing beside Hall and Nash, created the New World Order. The NWO became the focal point of WCWs storylines for the next two years and was the catalyst for WCW Monday Nitro beating WWF Monday Night Raw for 82 consecutive weeks in the Monday Night Wars.
Dean Ayass is a well known name to British wrestling fans. A commentator, manager, booker and ring announcer who has been involved in the business since 1993, Dean's insight into the business is second to none.
