10 Most Shocking WrestleMania Turns

4. Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania X8)

trish kiss
WWE

A turn many within the company predicted but few imagined would occur with such veracity, Hulk Hogan's 2002 return to the 'Show of Shows' in Toronto made for one of the all time great WrestleMania moments.

It was clear within minutes that the crowd were simply far too enamoured with 'The Hulkster' to allow his match with The Rock to follow the intended formula, and highlighted the robust professionalism of 'The Great One' to carefully adjust his act in line with the response.

Suddenly, all of Rock's babyface comebacks became cynical knocks at the perma-tanned icon's facade. Every back-rake and eye-poke from Hulk was a smart tactic from the old legend fighting from underneath and even in defeat, Hogan looked a battle-warn warrior who'd lost a narrow war. More pathos was to come, with Rock helping 'Hollywood' fend off an attack from his former nWo comrades Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to abruptly sever the group just a month in to their WWE run.

With the turn officially marked, the Toronto fans could see out the emotionally exhausting encounter gleefully cheering both industry icons as they took to the stage together in celebration.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett