The WCW Conspiracy Iceberg EXPLAINED!

13. Hulk Hogan Got REPLACED

Hulk Hogan 1985
WWE.com

You all will have read or perhaps even spread the conspiracy theory that the original Ultimate Warrior, Jim Hellwig, was replaced by an imposter upon the character’s return to the WWF at WrestleMania 8. 

This of course didn’t happen; this was a strange pre-internet global phenomenon driven entirely by the naivety of the young mind. Warrior’s physique had shrunk because he was no longer allowed to guzzle down anabolic steroids. He had also asked the barber to lop a bit too much off his barnet. It was almost endearing as a thought process. You may also have fallen for the “Warrior was replaced by the Texas Tornado” variant. But did you know that some people were convinced that Hulk Hogan was also replaced by an impostor? 

This one didn’t make the rounds on every single playground the world over, but it was still a “thing”. Again, this theory was fuelled by the innocence of a child’s mind. Which is also a euphemism, because for the most curious minds of us all, who are able to process information at a staggering rate, kids can be real f*ckin’ dumb. WCW did not sign the real Hulk Hogan. They weren’t big enough to do that. They weren’t the recognised global leader in sports entertainment. This WCW Hogan ripoff was much skinnier, and in the biggest tell of all, he had brown eyebrows! 

Hogan used to bleach his eyebrows in the early days of Hulkamania, and saved himself the bother by the early 1990s, well before he signed with Turner. But, again, kids are pretty daft. 

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!