10 Times The Past Screwed WWE's Present
4. Hulk Hogan Vs. Yokozuna (WrestleMania IX)
Hulk Hogan has committed many a crime throughout his wrestling career, but what happened at WrestleMania IX sits near the top of the pile. Yokozuna had just overcame Bret Hart to become WWE Champion for the first time in the night’s scheduled main event. It took a handful of salt from Mr. Fuji to do it, but that year’s Royal Rumble winner had achieved his coronation, and the night should have belonged to him.
“Not so fast,” said Hulk Hogan. For some reason, WWE decided to have 'The Hulkster' march out to ringside, challenge Yoko to a title match there and then, before defeating the sumo in 22 seconds flat. Hogan completely stole his spotlight, ruined the biggest moment of his WWE career thus far, and took his championship away.
It was a terrible moment to close one of the worst WrestleManias of all-time. Hulkamania had already ran its course, and fans were growing sick of Hogan’s Superman act at the top of the card. At a time when WWE should have been transitioning away from Hogan, they sacrificed Yoko to put him over. The result was the least convincing title reign of Hogan’s career up to that point (during which he barely appeared on television) before Yokozuna eventually won the belt back, and Hogan’s eventual departure from the company.