The original showdown between The Rock and Hulk Hogan was an epic clash, a WrestleMania classic and the bout that forever establish The Great One as one of the best to lace a pair of boots. Their rematch at No Way Out in February 2003 was none of those things. The second showdown between industry giants saw both men use gimmickry and overbooking to hide the fact that Hogan was nowhere near able to carry his end as he had been 11 months earlier, nor had The Rock knocked off the ring rust he and incurred from months away from the squared circle. Appearances from Vince McMahon and a screwy crooked referee finish, not to mention lights dimming mid-match and another ridiculous attempt to replicate the Montreal Screwjob, and you have the recipe for a mess of a match. The crowd was still hot, completely invested in the characters involved, but a reaction can only carry a match so far. Atmosphere was a major influence on the quality of the WrestleMania bout. Unfortunately, the molten hot reaction of the fans in Canada only served to accentuate just how inferior the second clash between the two was.
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.
