10 Secret Conversations That Changed Wrestling History Forever

5. Eric Bischoff Convinces Hulk Hogan To Turn Heel

Hulk Hogan Heel Nwo
WWE.com

1995 was notable for another reason too.

Towards the end of the year, Bischoff started talking to Hulk Hogan about the possibility of freshening up his act and trying something different. By 1996, polite talks had switched into full-blown pitches for Hogan to turn heel. Eric had the perfect gig for him: Hulk would be the leader of the new heel faction known as the New World Order.

Whilst all this was going on behind the scenes, Hogan continued playing his classic babyface character in front of fans. Few knew what the real plan was, or that Hulk was pacing around his house wondering if going rogue might destroy everything he had built since the mid-'80s. This was the hardest decision he had ever been asked to make.

Bischoff got his way at the 11th hour when Hogan finally made up his mind and agreed to become the nWo's focal point. His heel turn shook the foundations of WCW (as well as the entire wrestling industry), prolonged Hulk's career and helped the company become number one.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.