8 Times WWE Turned Trash Into Treasure

3. The NWO In WWE - Recycled WCW Idea To Genuine Hulkster Nostalgia

When Vince McMahon brought the nWo to the WWF in 2002, it wasn't lost on people that WCW star power like Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and (most important of all) Hollywood Hogan was exactly what the aforementioned Invasion had lacked. This was a case of too little, too late for McMahon, but such tardiness would end up working out.

Fans were ready for some Hulkamania again by '02, and that became clear even when Hogan appeared as part of the nWo. By the time he faced The Rock at WrestleMania X-8, the WWF's hardcore were willing to sacrifice the once-hip faction in order to get some red and yellow magic. Hulk was only too willing to indulge them.

Detractors can say what they want, but it was heartwarming to see Hulk Hogan back in his old stomping ground and working through his usual routine for matches against Triple H, Kurt Angle, and others. What had been a desperate ploy for ratings by bringing in the nWo turned into recaptured fascination for Hulkamania.