100 Greatest WWE WrestleMania Moments
7. Hogan Hulks Up In Hollywood Colours (WrestleMania X8)
Technically, this wasn't the old WWF Hulk Hogan. It was the nWo's Hollywood version that The Rock wrestled at 'Mania X8. Not for long, admittedly. According to both, they called some on the fly audibles and adjusted their match to meet responses from fans in attendance. That could be yet more Hogan hyperbole, but it'd make sense when taking in one of the bout's banner spots.
Rock started beating on Hulk to no avail. Then, Hogan performed his usual hulk up routine as the audience stood with him. If Rocky was supposed to be the babyface and Hogan the heel, then that wouldn't have been smart. Did they call this in the heat of the moment? Does anyone really care?! All that matters is the end result, and it was special. Toronto cheered like it was the mid-1980s all over again and everybody was racing to merch stalls for a quick glance at Hulk's t-shirts.
In short, Hogan became the old red and yellow incarnation live before everyone's eyes mid-match. He was still wearing the black and white New World Order colours, but it was like someone had tipped red and yellow paint cans all over him. The hulk up moment caused quite the stir - hardly anybody in picture at 'Mania X8 remained seated during it.
It's easy to palm off Hogan's impact due to real world events, regrettable statements or his preposterous need to tell fibs aplenty, but rewatching 2002's event reveals that there was more gas in the tank. WWF fans loved seeing their old fave bring back the glory days vs. The Rock.