1. Hulk Hogan And Randy Savage Were In Talks For A WWF Return
Often wrongly claimed to have occurred in 1997, Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage were both in talks with the WWF towards the end of 1996. Having recently turned heel for the first time since the birth of Hulkamania, Hogan was red hot following a difficult few years in WCW and McMahon once again saw the value in having him as part of the WWF. The pair met in Denver and discussed terms, with Hogan later claiming that McMahon offered him $5 million per year to return in the Royal Rumble match - a bout he would win before going on to lift the WWF Championship for a record-extending sixth time at WrestleMania 13. As with every Hogan claim, the fee and the scenario are fanciful at best, but the rumours that they were negotiating and Hogan was close to signing a deal to return were true. Randy Savage intended to come with him. He and Hogan were involved in WCWs main event feud at the time working opposite one another, and Vince wanted to neuter WCW by snapping up both members of their top program at once. However, Hogan did not fully trust Vince and suspected he would be punished for testifying against him in the steroid trial, so he backed out of the deal, robbing fans of the chance to see him in dream matches opposite the likes of Bret Hart and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin. He had been using Vince for leverage more than anything, cleverly increasing his perceived worth to Bischoff by openly discussing McMahons interest with his current boss. With the Hogan deal off, Vinces interest in Savage waned. He had not seen the value in Savage as a main event star in 1993, never mind three years later, so he refused to offer him anything other than a short term wrestling deal which transitioned Randy into an office position. Savage was not interested in that and the deal broke down, with Savage too committing to WCW for another three years. It was the final time he and the WWF negotiated and he never wrestled or appeared for them again.
James Dixon
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The author of the highly acclaimed 'Titan' book series, James Dixon has been involved in the wrestling business for 25 years as a fan, wrestler, promoter, agent, and writer. James spent several years wrestling on the British independent circuit, but now prefers to write about the bumps and bruises rather than take any of them. His past in-ring experience does however give a uniquely more "insider" perspective on things, though he readily admits to still being a "mark" at heart.
James is the Chief Editor and writer at historyofwrestling.co.uk and is responsible for the best-selling titles Titan Sinking, Titan Shattered, and Titan Screwed, as well as the Complete WWF Video Guide series, and the Raw Files series.
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