15 Times WCW Was Better Than Literally EVERYTHING
2. Hogan Is The Third Man
Not many thought Hulk Hogan would turn heel in 1996. If he was being honest, one Eric Bischoff wasn't sure he could convince wrestling's biggest box office star to turn his back on guaranteed merchandise sales to play bad guy. That was the thinking back then; that heels wouldn't sell merch. Oh how wrong that'd prove to be. The nWo shirt became a hot seller, and it still shifts units for WWE today.
Come Bash At The Beach 1996, Hulk dropped a leg on Randy Savage and linked up with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash as wrestling's most talked about new faction. “This right here is the New World Order of wrestling, brother!", he roared as trash hit the ring and 'Mean' Gene Okerlund just about slapped Hogan himself. On commentary, Tony Schiavone remarked that Hulk could "go to hell" for what he'd done.
The presentation was superb.
The Outsiders had talked about a "third man" in the weeks leading up to the pay-per-view, but it seemed impossible that Hogan would be in the running for that spot. Sting? Maybe. Savage? Possibly. Luger? Hmm. Mabel? God no. British Bulldog? You never know. Hulk?! Wash your mouth out with red and yellow, WWF-branded mouthwash! Never going to happen.
Until it did. Bobby Heenan nearly spoiled the surprise by asking which side Hogan would be on when he seemingly came out to help the babyfaces/'Team WCW', but even that couldn't ruin the majesty of the moment. With one angle, WCW became the hottest topic amongst wrestling fans, critics and insiders.
All thanks to some Outsiders. You couldn't make it up.