How This WWE Legend Almost Appeared At WrestleMania 36

Financial considerations prevented this all-timer from showing up.

Hulk Hogan Crown Jewel
WWE

Hulk Hogan reportedly came within a hair of appearing at WWE WrestleMania 36.

This is according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, who reports that while Vince McMahon's company wanted 'The Hulkster' to be there, the deal didn't work for Hogan, brother. The two parties couldn't come to an agreement.

It is noted that Hulk would have appeared to cut a promo, not work a match or work a bigger in-ring segment. Hogan had been set for another WWE Hall of Fame induction alongside fellow New World Order members Sean Waltman, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall over WrestleMania weekend, so perhaps the rest of the group would have featured as well.

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While wrestling promotions have been careful not to book older performers throughout the ongoing global health crisis, the 66-year-old Hogan lives in Florida anyway. His Clearwater home isn't far from WrestleMania 36's original host city, Tampa Bay, though it's unclear whether or not he'd have been permitted to make the drive to the Performance Center in Orlando.

Hogan's last 'Mania appearance came at 35, when host Alexa Bliss introduced him at the very top of the show, letting Hulk cut a quick promo.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.