50 Things You Learn Binge-Watching Every WWE Royal Rumble
39. 1994’s Finish Was Genius In Hindsight
The WWF's power nucleus wasn't quite ready to kiss marketing might good bye post-Hulk Hogan. Vince McMahon's solution was to find 'the next Hulk' by chucking everything he had at Lex Luger and trying to turn the ex-WCW man into a flag-waving 'American Hero' people could believe in. This Hogan 2.0 bid flopped in the end, but hardworking technicians like Bret Hart were there to pick up the pieces.
Even so, Vince had to find out what his audience really thought. Who was more popular: Bret or Lex? That's why the finish to 1994's Rumble was inspired. Hart and Luger worked a double elimination right at the end of the match just so McMahon could have referees raise each man's hand and find out firsthand from the fans who was the best babyface hero.
Bret got the louder cheers, which put a nail in the coffin for Lex's WWF Title hopes. He wasn't even close to matching Hart's popularity, and no amount of marketing, bus tours or painted on smiles could ever change that. What a brilliant move from the company to add drama to the Rumble and find out who customers liked best though.
The split decision was market research done live on pay-per-view, and people were paying for the privilege of joining Vince in finding out who would be going over at WrestleMania X. This was also vital, because the WWF ranks weren't exactly bursting at the seams with oodles of bankable babyfaces who could rocket up the ranks towards headline spots.
Roll the footage...