We should have seen it coming. As soon as Hulk Hogan returned to WWE in February 2002 after a nine year absence, we should have known that there was no way that his heel turn was going to last. Even though Hogan was brought back to WWE as a heel as part of the New World Order group, fans were already starting to cheer him just because they were so glad he was back "home" in WWE. The crowd cheered Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 18 in Toronto as much as any wrestler has ever been cheered anywhere. The pop was deafening. It's not like the crowd hated The Rock because they definitely supported him too, but they were eating up everything Hogan was serving them. Leading up to the match, Hogan drove a truck into an ambulance that The Rock was in, yet the fans didn't boo him for it. They were just happy that Hulkamania was back even if he was rocking the "Hollywood" Hogan heel colors. It was a match that went back and forth with The Rock emerging as the winner. Post match, Hogan's buddies Scott Hall and Kevin Nash were mad at him for losing. The Rock ended up making the save for Hogan, which the crowd loved. The ovations became louder as these two icons fought together. Hogan's face turn wasn't an accident. It was definitely in the plans prior to the match, but the turn went better than anybody could have expected.
John wrote at WhatCulture from December 2013 to December 2015. It was fun, but it's over for now. Follow him on Twitter @johnreport. You can also send an email to mrjohncanton@gmail.com with any questions or comments as well.
