As if there could be any other number one on this list. If there were ever to be a book written solely on the fascinating topic of wrestling's backstage politics (and there really should be) it would be dominated with chapters about Hulk Hogan. The iconic superstar has all the political savvy of a Clinton or a Kennedy wrapped inside a package of 24-inch pythons. Tales of his selfishness and me-first attitude are legendary. Let's just look at a few examples: Let's start with his insistence on being involved in the finish of the main event at WrestleMania IV, even remaining in the ring during what should have been Randy Savage's big moment. He reacted similarly at the end of his title loss to The Ultimate Warrior two years later, like his body was physically incapable of stepping out of the spotlight at the conclusion of the match. Perhaps the most egregious of his WrestleMania offenses came at IX when, rather than putting over the new face of the company in Bret Hart, he politicked his way into defeating Yokozuna in a surprise main event, a move that actually had a negative impact on WWE's business at the time. There's also the notorious story of how Hogan nixed a feud with jake Roberts after a trial run because the audience cheered when The Snake attacked him and Hogan was worried that Jake would sway fan support in his favor - although Hogan's side is that he didn't think the feud would draw money. Even in WCW everything had to be centered around The Hulkster and the roster was quickly populated with Hogan's buddies and cronies, pitting them in high profile feuds they had no business being in. Were it not for the arrival of the nWo Hulk probably would have rode the red and yellow into the ground until the audience just quietly died off. Granted, his 2002 return was an exercise in selflessness, putting over Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle and others in an attempt to prove that the aging Hogan was willing to do what was best for business. But it wasn't long before the old Hulk reared his head and resorted back to his old mantra of "That doesn't work for me, brother."
Brad Hamilton is a writer, musician and marketer/social media manager from Atlanta, Georgia. He's an undefeated freestyle rap battle champion, spends too little time being productive and defines himself as the literary version of Brock Lesnar.
