10 Times WWE Misread Their Own Audience

1. Pushing Lex Luger As The Next Coming Of Hulk Hogan

Lex Luger, 'American Hero' and the second coming of Hulk Hogan. That seemed to be the mantra handed down from top brass to those writing the storylines in the WWF during the Summer months of 1993. Hogan himself had made a short-lived return to the company, bagging the WWF Heavyweight Title back at WrestleMania IX in a wretched moment before dropping it back to Yokozuna at the first ever King Of The Ring pay-per-view. Fans hadn't really been as into Hulk as they had been previously, and he decided it was time to leave, having caught the acting bug. Meanwhile, Vince McMahon ignored the fact that guys like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels were clearly poised to take the reigns in the main event positions, and turned his attention to trying to mimic the success he had experienced in the 1980's with 'Hulkamania'. This time, it was Luger he was going to turn into a star. Embarking on a lengthy cross-country bus tour of all things, Lex attempted to drum up support as the WWF's premier babyface. Some fans were likely into it, but as a whole the WWF audience could see through the plan. Another Hulk Hogan was not what they wanted, and something different and fresh-feeling was required in order to sustain mass interest. Eventually, McMahon would be forced to abort his ferocious push to make Lex Luger the new Hulk Hogan, allowing The Hitman and The Heartbreak Kid room to naturally climb up the WWF ladder.