It just hit me...

While everyone has been trying to figure out what Hulk Hogan's next move will be they've been focusing on PPVs like Bound For Glory, Royal Rumble and WrestleMania XXX causing an unprecedented amount of rumors across the internet surrounding him. The predictions of where Hogan would go bounce back and force based on small potatoes such as who he'd face and what his base pay would be etc. But it has nothing to do with any of this, it has nothing to do with Hogan being angry with TNA or wanting to retire in WWE (I'm not even sure if Hogan is even ready to retire yet). No, there is another MAJOR factor that everyone seems to have over looked. An upcoming date that puts everything else - even WrestleMania XXX to shame. January 23, 2014.

This will be the 30th anniversary (a real 30th anniversary, unlike WrestleMania XXX which is actually the 29th anniversary) of the night Hulk Hogan first won the WWF World title from the Iron Sheik and the night Hulkamania is said to have been born (at least in the WWF - Hulkamania was actually born in 1982 in the AWA).  Suddenly everything takes on a whole new perspective. Instead of it being about Hogan making one or two appearances we see that there is an opportunity for an entire marketing bonanza that could easily take up at least the first trimester of the year (and maybe more) culminating at WrestleMania XXX. Where as it could be (and has been) argued by some that Hogan returning to WWE is unnecessary and would take time away from others, we now see that in order for WWE to take full advantage of this once in a lifetime marketing bonanza it's not only VITAL that Hogan be there but also that he play a major role to keep him in the spotlight and introduce him to a whole new generation of fans so that WWE can milk this opportunity for all that it is worth... and maybe even more.

Considering how big of a marketing bonanza this could potentially become I no longer consider it beyond the possibility that Hogan will step back into the ring for not just one but two or even a series of matches. Throw in a few six man tag team matches were he doesn't have to do much and you've got a Hulk Hogan who could potentially have one more enjoyable World title run. Maybe he would win the title early and lose it at WrestleMania or win it at WrestleMania and "retire" (at least for a minute) as World champion.

When there is money to be made both Hulk Hogan and the WWE do what they must and in my opinion Hulk Hogan must win the title again to capitalize on this bonanza as it truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity... that is, unless the Hulkster is still active twenty years from now for the 50th anniversary. ;)

    With Hulk Hogan's recent departure from TNA and WrestleMania XXX just around the corner all eyes are once again on Hulk Hogan and everyone has been trying to predict what he will do next. Reportedly he has been training "like a mad man" to get ready for a return to the ring. I've seen pictures of him and he looks bigger than he has been in years. But as to where he will appear, that remains unclear as rumors continue to spread like wildfire. I for one have never read so many conflicting rumors at any one time in all the years I have followed professional wrestling. Some said he was leaving TNA for WWE for the grand stage of WrestleMania XXX, then he was supposedly staying with TNA because they offered him more money, then that was retracted and he was indeed headed back to WWE, whoops then the next rumor stated that he was staying with TNA because he didn't like the opponent he would be facing. Now supposedly (repeat "SUPPOSEDLY" so take it with a grain of salt) he's reached a verbal agreement with WWE to be the "surprise" entrant in the Royal Rumble. Hmmm. The thing is more than two months away and WWE already leaked their "surprise". Sounds like just another rumor to me. Amidst all the smoke and mirrors of rumors the only thing that is for sure, is that NOTHING is for sure. The most recent thing to be confirmed is that Hulk Hogan remains in negotiations with both WWE and TNA and could potentially end up back at either promotion. Like everything in life it all comes down to money and what the Hulkster feels is the best deal for him.

    So with the Hulkster training for a comeback to the ring the Hulkamaniacs are also getting excited about the possibility of seeing the greatest of all time and the hero to millions all over the world winning one more World championship. In this blog I'm going to discuss the potential of Hogan winning each of the three currently recognized World titles in America (WWE, WCW/WHC, & TNA) and what the benefit would be of Hogan winning that title. 

    This one had over a year of build up and seemed to be a sure thing in 2013. Hulk Hogan vs TNA World champion Bully Ray at either Slammiversary XI or Bound for Glory would have likely been the biggest draw the company ever had. Furthermore adding Hogan's name to the list of people who have held the championship would have added a lot of prestige to the title. Personally this was the title I wanted to see Hogan win, not only because he had never held it before (although I must admit the Hulkamaniac in me would have marked out for it) but the added media attention this would have generated for them might have helped TNA finally get to that next level that they were oh so desperately trying to reach. While Hogan could still yet return, I don't see an opening for him to go after the title at this point as Bully Ray is out of the title picture and the company is going in a new direction. Add to that the fact that they will now be permanently filming from a smaller venue than ever before really makes the company feel beneath Hogan. Sadly TNA missed the boat with this one. But if he were to come back and win it, I'll still cheer him on!

    Hogan is no stranger to the Big Gold Belt having held the WCW (now WHC) World Heavyweight Championship on eight separate occasions. This is another belt that could benefit from a Hogan title reign. While once considered arguably the most prestigious title in the World, the championship has lost a lot of it's meaning since purchased by WWE who has used it as a cheep way to push many lower mid carders who are not over thus diminishing the value of the championship. But a big name like Hulk Hogan showing that he still finds the title important enough to shoot for in what could be his last World title shot ever could help restore lost prestige to a once great championship.

    How Hogan would get the championship would be simple and yet lead to one of the most anticipated matches in recent years. I could easily see Hogan winning the 2014 Royal Rumble to get a title match in the main event for WrestleMania. But instead of going after the WWE World championship he wants a shot at the WHC World championship currently held by John Cena.

    Hulk Hogan - the greatest WWE champion of all time vs John Cena - the guy WWE has been trying to pass off as great (without much luck) for the past 10 years for the World Heavyweight Championship would surely be a perfect main event match for WrestleMania XXX. While the match quality itself may not be the best do to Hogan's age and multiple injuries (which Hogan claims prevented him from facing Cena 5 years ago), I do not think the fans will mind. Fans will just be happy to see Hogan back in a WWE ring facing the guy that supposed to be his replacement and hopefully defeating him to become World champion one last time! I see this as the most likely scenario to take place and the one that could generate the most revenue. 

    Obviously this is the title The Hulkster is most famous for. He single handedly brought it from the third string north eastern based championship (the title was so low that it had been stripped of World title status in the early 80s before Hogan won it) to the most prestigious championship in all of pro wrestling. Capping his career by winning this championship one more time would be seen as coming "home" and bringing his career full circle.

    But how would he win it? Who would he defeat? While the same scenario mentioned above (Royal Rumble win to get title shot at WrestleMania) could still apply I doubt there would be as good of an opponent for Hogan to main event WrestleMania XXX. For this title I would sign Hogan to a longer term deal that only uses him sporadically that leads to a WWE championship sometime after WrestleMania. Hogan would defeat some typical WWE mid card guy in a brief but fun nostalgia match at WrestleMania that world save his body for a more important match several months from now.

After the Money in the Bank PPV in July Hogan will reappear for a few promos and maybe even guest spots on commentary (to try out and see if Hogan could perhaps do this full time after he finally retires from the ring for good) the holder of the Red MITB briefcase (containing the contract for the WWE World title match) will begin to badmouth Hogan and tell the "old man" to get out of his sport, that his time is done and it's time to move on. Hogan takes offense to this and reminds  Mr. MITB (whomever it may be) that he just beat a young up and comer at WrestleMania. Hogan goes on to say that id Mr. MITB is so tough why doesn't he meat Hogan in the ring at the next PPV. If he can beat Hogan, Hogan will retire forever and never have another match. BUT if Hogan wins, then he gets the MITB briefcase and the WWE World title contract. After trying to back down for a second he finally agrees (throw in a cheep shot and/or post promo beatdown if you want as long as the match is made). Hogan of course wins the match and becomes possessor of the MITB.

    The next night on Raw Hogan is interviewed by none other than his good friend Mean Gene Okerlund who says that back in the 80s he never would have dreamed that in 2014 Hulk Hogan would have an opportunity to become WWE World champion again, but with that briefcase that exactly what he's got! Hogan then focuses his attention of the WWE World champion and follows him around for weeks or even months. Watching title matches from ringside, doing commentary or peaking through the curtains as fans wait for the inevitable moment when Hogan finally cashes in the briefcase. When he finally does it will be the typical WWE route of a no match title change. The champion gets beaten up by someone else and is left laying when suddenly Hogan's music hits. He walks to the ring and cashes in just as the groggy champion reaches his feet. Hogan starts to Hulk Up, throws his three right hands and then hits the big boot. Hogan then looks around and make the title belt motion around his waist as the crowd goes nuts. The announcers are asking, "Is he going to drop the leg?" Hogan hits the ropes, lifts his leg... and then steps on the champion's chest, strikes the bow and arrow pose as the referee counts 1-2-3 and Hogan is the new WWE World champion! Did he drop the leg? No. But he made you think he was thus bringing the crowd to a fiery pitch. While I'm not a fan of MITB as I'm a firm believer of the old saying, "To be the man, you have to beat the man." the site of Hogan standing there striking his iconic pose as the ref makes the three count would be the best MITB cash in ever!


    All of these scenarios would only see Hogan wrestle one or two actual matches yet if done right his run could be milked for a lot of hype and merchandising. In addition to the build ups to the match and the match itself, after Hogan wins the title he can also have a short reign which consists of perhaps a 6 man tag team match on TV where he can be well protected and not have to take any bumps so that the fans can see him one more time as champion on TV and perhaps a title defense that gets thrown out before it ever really gets started (like his 2002 match against William Regal). In any case his reign will be short, but will none the less be the most fun filled time pro wrestling has seen in over a decade! Book it!