10 Early Wrestling Predictions For 2019
3. ...But Hulk Hogan Will Not
Is Hulk Hogan worth the risk?
That was the question WWE did not ask themselves between 2015 and 2018. WWE always believed in the Hulkster's power to manipulate punters into generating a massive, favourable reaction. They believed also that sponsors would, in the time-honoured tradition, fear less and less about the adverse PR impact such a return would have on their business.
WWE, satisfied that noted politicker Hogan wasn't a risk, welcomed him back into the fold backstage prior to Extreme Rules earlier this year. Hogan, incredibly, issued an address to the roster not about his contrition, but about the dangers of speaking without impunity in this digital age. Tellingly, both The New Day and Titus O'Neil issued statements in the aftermath refusing to believe that Hogan made a genuine attempt to change. Surely, were this stunt to have gone swimmingly, we would have seen Hogan cup a hand to his ear on a major WWE show by this point. That it didn't renders any chance of that happening now very remote.
Rumours swirled that Hogan may appear at Crown Jewel, but that, much like Hogan's Wrecking Ball parody, is a level of cheek too far. The entire venture is problematic and risky enough in itself.
Time will of course afford WWE the luxury of monetising Hogan once more - but not in 2019.