10 Worst Wrestling World Title Reigns Ever
9. Hulk Hogan - July 17 1994 - October 29, 1995
A not at all inconsiderable success at the box office, Hulk Hogan's first WCW Heavyweight Title run nonetheless created an inescapable dissonance in arenas. As the infamous GIF confirms, he was doing dated '80s schtick in the promotion that looked upon it as schtick all along.
Hogan captured the title from Ric Flair at Bash At The Beach in a commendable effort before retaining in an even better Steel Cage match sequel at Halloween Havoc that many consider the best wrestling match (as distinct from a spectacle) he ever worked in the U.S.
After building a perhaps grudging respect among the critical community - those matches were long and strenuous - Hogan proceeded to squander it by going over his best mate Ed Leslie in a Starrcade sh*t-show fuelled by nepotism and the naked politicking that enabled him. Before it all descended into parody, Hogan worked Hogan matches with Vader because he didn't need to take the kicking that came with it.
The auspicious start wasn't enough to save the reign when it became mired in the atrocity that was the Dungeon of Doom. Hogan, having breezed through his two best heel opponents in a reign shockingly high on match quality (but unacceptably low on drama) reverted to type by lining up a horde of spooky geeks.
He killed Ric Flair's career as a main event draw, diminished Vader's monster aura to an unrecoverable extent, and ripped the credibility of WarGames in shreds like a replica tee.
Hogan's reign killed so much of WCW's soul that he really had no choice but to feud with what was left of the entire promotion.