6. Nostalgia Is Blinding
Perhaps the most common defense of Hulk Hogan (and a few other stars of the 80s) is that "there wouldn't be a WWE today without him." While I can accept that Hogan's part in the creation of WrestleMania was a big one, I don't necessarily subscribe to the theory that it would have failed without him. Don't get me wrong I'm not underselling his input. But WrestleMania was a Vince McMahon conception, not a Hulk Hogan one and I believe that he would have made it happen with or without Hogan. He was without doubt the biggest star of the time, but he wasn't the only one. We'll never know what would have happened if Hulk Hogan never happened, but it's arguably safe to say that Vince McMahon's ambition would have made him a success either way. Nostalgia in wrestling is dangerous. It's basically living in the past in an industry that thrives on being socially relevant. Therefore it's worth remembering that for the most part wrestling in the 80s was terrible. Hulk Hogan was a major star at a time when people were a lot more easily impressed. Cheesebag interviews and over the top theatrics were the order of the day, and no one was more of a cheesebag than Hulk Hogan. The most important thing to remember? He was never any good to begin with. Looking back with rose tinted glasses means a huge amount of fans remember the flag waving, vitamin eating and the massive crowd pops. But when all that was over and the bell rang, things seemed to happen in slow motion. Nevertheless, Hogan has made an extended career off of riding the wave of nostalgia and seems eager to insert himself into the big time once more. WWE will no doubt do something to honor the past at WrestleMania 30 with it being such a huge milestone. My hope is that it is just a one off and we are spared the monotony of another Hogan return. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOCqV23VkXU