10 Biggest Missed Opportunities In WWE History
2. Not Booking Hulk Hogan Vs. Ric Flair
It should’ve been so easy. Ric Flair was the ultimate bad guy, and Hulk Hogan the biggest fan favourite in the business. They were wrestling’s two shining stars throughout the 1980s, and there was no bigger “dream match” throughout that decade.
Fans had been clamouring for Flair and Hogan to collide for years, but while Hogan was busy ruling the roost in WWE, Flair had established himself as the NWA’s cornerstone. As the two champions of their companies, and two biggest stars of the era, Flair and Hogan’s eventual showdown would be an incredible spectacle, and it looked like fans would finally get their wish in 1991.
Flair jumped ship from WCW to WWE, and McMahon’s company tested the waters by pitting the duo against each other on a series of house shows. Flair soon involved himself in Hogan’s televised business, costing him the World Title against The Undertaker.
The belt was put on the line during the 1992 Royal Rumble: Flair won, and this all but set-up a long-awaited WrestleMania match between two industry titans.
It didn’t happen. Amidst rumours that neither man wanted to lose and minimal house show buzz, WWE scrapped the “dream match”, instead pitting Hogan against Sid, and Flair against Randy Savage. WWE couldn’t find a way to make what would’ve been one of the biggest matches in wrestling history happen, and both wrestlers left shortly after.