10 Most Soul-Destroying WrestleMania Moments
8. Hulk Hogan Squashes Yokozuna (WrestleMania IX)
As early as 1992, Vince McMahon was already dabbling with elements of what would become known as the 'New WWF Generation'. Smaller, more athletic stars like Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart were being championed, succeeding the more typical main event styles of musclebound guys like Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior.
It was said that the days of the giants had come and gone, and the WWF began favouring a more wrestling-centric product in main events. McMahon quite quickly changed his mind, largely due to the comeback of Mr. Nanny himself.
Months before WrestleMania IX, Bret Hart had been installed as the new WWF Heavyweight Champion. Fans were re-energised by this idea, because Hart represented something different in top bouts. Facing Yokozuna at 'Mania IX, the feeling was that he'd still play a major role even if he lost.
Hart did lose, but then the man who beat him promptly lost to Hulk.
Hulkamania was running wild again, but the idea had lost a lot of sheen. Instead of enthusing fans, Hogan's latest title win at WrestleMania set the company back a few steps and only helped to cause more disquiet in the locker room, too.