At WrestleMania X-8, Hulk Hogan returned to Toronto's SkyDome for another classic encounter, this time against The Rock. Despite being away from the company for nine years and portraying the role of lead villain "Hollywood" Hogan, The Hulkster was greeted with a thunderous ovation as he made his way to the ring. He stood across the squared circle from The Rock, staring into the eyes of the man who had supplanted him as the greatest pop culture phenomenon in wrestling, he was greeted with cheers the likes of which he had not heard in years. WWE opted to strike while the proverbial iron was hot, taking a nostalgia trip and promoting Hogan as a wrestler capable of hanging with the era's top stars. It was the wrong decision. Despite the overwhelming popularity experienced by Hogan, and the amount of merchandise he may have moved, fans loved the idea of his comeback far more than they did the idea of him actually going on a run that would culminate with another heavyweight title reign. Yet, that is exactly what happened as the master of the moustache defeated Triple H at Backlash in April 2002 to capture the top prize in the industry. Then the ratings plumetted and WWE panicked. He lost the title to Undertaker in short order, but not before the trip down memory lane wore off and fans were stuck with an older, slower Hogan as one of the top stars in WWE.
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.
