50 Things You Learn Binge-Watching Every WWE WrestleMania
32. Hulk Being Hollywood At X8 Was A Plus
Some would've felt different at the time, no doubt, but Hulk Hogan avoiding the urge to bring back his retro red and yellow look prematurely for WrestleMania X8 was the best call imaginable. He was still Hollywood and very much part of a returning nWo that had everyone on edge behind the scenes. In 2002, many expressed concerns about Hulk, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash returning to have a toxic influence on the WWF's largely-harmonious locker room.
They'd be wrong, at least when it came to Hogan. He was there to play ball, and the old stager knew he had one more top line run left in him. The red and yellow could wait though, because 'Mania would be all about his transition out of the nWo style and back to a more traditional WWF one. The paying public only had to wait another few weeks or so, dude! Then they'd get their wish, brother.
This almost goes without saying, but it's worth reiterating: Rock vs. Hogan's 'Icon vs. Icon' battle should've headlined over Triple H beating Chris Jericho for the Undisputed Title. That was a marquee match, but Hulk was the big draw for most here. Good on him for managing to resist temptation for a cheap pop. There'd be plenty of cheap pops in the future.
It's still surreal to see Rocky getting booed out of the building amidst nostalgia for Hulkamania too. He'd been one of the fed's top stars post-Hogan, and yet his biggest fans were rebelling against the younger act so they could relive their childhoods all over again.
Getting bored of this match is mission impossible.