At Bash at the Beach in July 1996, Hulk Hogan stunned the wrestling world by turning heel and joining Kevin Nash and Scott Hall as one of the charter members of the New World Order. As fans pelted him with garbage, Hogan told his Hulkamaniacs to "stick it." That one statement completely shifted the momentum in favor for WCW and brought millions of new eyes to Nitro. Nicknamed "Hollywood," the disgusting and vile villain was cocky, arrogant and never shied away from the spotlight. He touted his success, flaunted his movie deals and referred to himself as the best despite always needing interference from his NWO teammates to secure a win and retain the WCW Championship. Like Honky Tonk Man, Hogan became the heel that fans wanted to pay their hard-earned dollar to see get beat up. One of the 1990s greatest villains, fans hated the loud-mouth braggart but, at the same time, realized and appreciated the coolness factor of the character. Hulk Hogan's "Hollwood" persona was the spark that WCW needed to really make a run at dethroning the World Wrestling Federation as the top promotion in all of wrestling. Fans tuned into Nitro to see what the radically changed Hogan would do or say next. Who would he and the NWO target next? Would anyone end his reign of tyranny? The only way to get answers to those questions was to tune into Nitro on a weekly basis and find out. Hogan, as he had done for Vince McMahon's promotion a decade earlier, made Nitro destination television. Even if his character was one that was extremely easy to hate.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
