2. Return Of The Red And Yellow
WWE.comThe August 9th, 1999 edition of Monday Nitro was broadcast from the Idaho Center in Boise, and was gearing up to be just another episode of WCWs flagship program. The West Texas Rednecks battled with Public Enemy. Buff Bagwell took on his old pal, Scott Norton. And Chris Benoit challenged Diamond Dallas Page to a no disqualification match at Road Wild following an attack from Kanyon and DDP, himself. Nothing too notable as of yet -- just a continuation of most feuds and some decent matches. Then, it came time for the main event and a pretty star-studded one at that. It was to be a six-man tag match, with Kevin Nash, Sid Vicious, and Rick Steiner taking on the tandem of Sting, Goldberg, and Hollywood Hogan. The heels made their entrance together -- high-fiving and taunting the crowd along the way. Next out was the Icon Sting, followed by Goldberg -- both to pretty large fanfare. Everyone was in the ring waiting for Hogan, when suddenly something strange happened. An old, familiar guitar riff began to play. (No, not Real American. This was WCW after all). Hes got the red, white, and blue running through his veins Hes American made! blared over the loudspeakers. The commentators were clearly befuddled, as was the audience. Then, the Hulkster appeared with his World title around his waist and yellow trunks underneath -- red knee pads and yellow boots too. The crowd erupted. He strode down the ramp and in classic fashion, tore off his yellow t-shirt. Hollywood was no more. Hulk Hogan was back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHnfODQbUBQ From bell to bell, the match was barely seven minutes long -- but the crowd was standing and screaming the entire time. Fans had been waiting and hoping that Hogan would one day return to his roots -- return to the red and yellow -- and this was the moment. The Hulkster received one of the loudest ovations of his career, and easily one of the loudest in his WCW tenure. Hulkamaniacs the world over were rabid about the thought of their returning hero. The match was no mat-classic, but provided fans with what they wanted. Hogan delivered a big boot. He showboated -- putting his hand to his ear and leaning on the ropes, to hear the support of his Hulkamaniacs. Hogan even gave Kevin Nash the ten punches in the corner, while the fans counted along. It was truly a great moment -- for both the Hulkster and his Hulkamaniacs. It was an elation that would not last long, however. Hogan would be gone by the end of October, after a controversial incident with Sting at Halloween Havoc. The Immortal One was set to defend his World Heavyweight title against the WCW icon in the pay-per-views main event. Instead, the Hulkster walked to the ring while wearing street clothes and laid down in the middle of the ring -- allowing the Stinger to pin him. He wouldnt return to the company until February of 2000, and would again be involved in similar controversy with Jeff Jarrett at Julys Bash at the Beach PPV -- as discussed earlier in this article. Despite the hiccups that would follow, the return of Hulk -- not Hollywood -- Hogan in his traditional yellow trunks and red knee pads was a sight fans wouldnt soon forget. The Hulkster would sit on the sidelines following WCWs buyout, but would return to the WWE before WrestleMania X8 -- again as part of a pared-down nWo. He was immediately embraced by the fans upon his return, however, and would subsequently revert back to his Real American persona.