10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week

4. Hulk Hogan Never Wanted To Work With Rick Rude

'Ravishing' Rick Rude is routinely mentioned by fans as someone they'd like to see inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame at some point. The man's tremendous physique was aided by an incredible work ethic, and his matches were regularly well-received. Behind the scenes, Rude had quite the temper, something men such as The Ultimate Warrior and Paul Bearer witnessed first hand. In 1994, Rude was plying his trade in WCW. During that year, a back injury suffered during a match against Sting caused him to retire from the ring. An impending retirement was up in the air when WCW officials were discussing terms with an incoming Hulk Hogan. In the words of Eric Bischoff, Hogan was very candid about exactly who he wanted to work with in WCW, but even more so about who he didn't. At the top of the latter list was Rick Rude. Hulk Hogan didn't trust Rude to take care of his body, something which could also be said of Big Van Vader. Eventually, Hogan and Vader would work multiple matches, but Hulk expressly told both Bischoff and Ric Flair that he didn't want to work with Rude. The pair had worked a little in the WWF, but that would be their only time spent in the ring together.
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