20 WWE WrestleMania Matches We Almost Got (And Why We Didn't)

14. Hulk Hogan vs. Tugboat - WrestleMania VII

AJ Styles Triple H
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This is easily one of the more bizarre ideas that is very hard to believe, but considering Fred Ottman was up for the role, it's amazing it even got to the ideas phase.

According to "Brother Love" Bruce Prichard, the original choice to battle Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VII was indeed Tugboat, who would have filled the role that Sgt. Slaughter took on as the America bashing Iraqi sympathiser under the ludicrous name of Sheikh Tugboat.

He also mentioned that a rematch between Hogan & The Ultimate Warrior was never a consideration for Vince McMahon. It was apparently always the plan to have Hulk Hogan vanquish an anti-patriot in "support" of US troops fighting in the Gulf War (And by support we mean "exploiting" and/or "profiteering")

Why didn't it happen?

Sgt. Slaughter had recently resigned with the company and McMahon, thinking Tugboat wouldn't be a strong enough foil for Hogan, had Slaughter turn against American, beat Ultimate Warrior for the WWF title and lose it at Mania to Hulk Hogan. Because America will always win/profit!

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Contributor

A connoisseur of Star Wars, WWE, Sonic the Hedgehog, musical theatre and mature cave-aged cheddar cheese. Can't say that I have limited taste!