Titles Hogan SHOULD have won
As decorated as Hulk Hogan's resume is, there are still many more titles that could have and SHOULD have been added throughout his storied career. This section contains NO title wins by Hulk Hogan but rather a series of titles that I believe he SHOULD have won along with the the approximate date the title win should have taken place and why I feel Hulk Hogan should have won the title on said occasion. This section may be a bit opinionated but that is the fun of looking back and asking, "What if?".
AWA Southern Heavyweight Title
1979
In the latter portion of the year Hulk Hogan (wrestling as Terry "The Hulk" Boulder) made a big splash in Jerry Jarret's Memphis based CWA which worked closely with Verne Gagne's AWA. Terry had two memorable feuds with two different reigning Southern champions. First he was brought in by Jerry Lawler as a mystery opponent for champion The Mongolian Stomper. Later that year he returned when "brother" Eddie (Brutus Beefcake) was attacked by then champion Ron Bass and Pete Austin. Terry came back to defend his brother's honor and had a series of matches against the champ. Reportedly Jerrett was so impressed with Terry that he recommended him to the WWF's Vince McMahon Sr. Well, Jarrett, if he was that good why didn't he get a run with the belt first?
In the latter portion of the year Hulk Hogan (wrestling as Terry "The Hulk" Boulder) made a big splash in Jerry Jarret's Memphis based CWA which worked closely with Verne Gagne's AWA. Terry had two memorable feuds with two different reigning Southern champions. First he was brought in by Jerry Lawler as a mystery opponent for champion The Mongolian Stomper. Later that year he returned when "brother" Eddie (Brutus Beefcake) was attacked by then champion Ron Bass and Pete Austin. Terry came back to defend his brother's honor and had a series of matches against the champ. Reportedly Jerrett was so impressed with Terry that he recommended him to the WWF's Vince McMahon Sr. Well, Jarrett, if he was that good why didn't he get a run with the belt first?
Missouri State Heavyweight Title
1983
By 1983 Sam Muchnick had retired and sold the St. Louis Wrestling Club. Verne Gagne co-owned the office along with Central States promoter Bob Geigel. Due to Verne owning a piece of St. Louis, AWA guys made appearances there until the office closed up shop in 1985. On 7/15/83 Hogan was involved in a tournament for the vacant Missouri State Heavyweight title (which was ultimately won by Ric Flair). Hogan made it to the semi finals when he and Jerry Blackwell were both eliminated bia double countout. Due to Hogan's incredible popularity and Gagne's refusal to give Hogan a good run with the AWA World title Verne should have had Hogan win this tournament which would have had the finals result in (possibly) the first match between the two men who would dominate the sport for the next 10+ years. Another missed opportunity.
By 1983 Sam Muchnick had retired and sold the St. Louis Wrestling Club. Verne Gagne co-owned the office along with Central States promoter Bob Geigel. Due to Verne owning a piece of St. Louis, AWA guys made appearances there until the office closed up shop in 1985. On 7/15/83 Hogan was involved in a tournament for the vacant Missouri State Heavyweight title (which was ultimately won by Ric Flair). Hogan made it to the semi finals when he and Jerry Blackwell were both eliminated bia double countout. Due to Hogan's incredible popularity and Gagne's refusal to give Hogan a good run with the AWA World title Verne should have had Hogan win this tournament which would have had the finals result in (possibly) the first match between the two men who would dominate the sport for the next 10+ years. Another missed opportunity.
NWA World Heavyweight Title
1983
As Hogan's time with the AWA came to an end, Hogan received a handful of title shots against then NWA World champion Harley Race. In these matches Hogan showed the dominance that he would be known for over the next decade and the matches were often bloody and brutal. According to the March 1984 issues of "The Wrestler" one of these occasions saw Race notably succumb to defeat yet Hogan chose to throw the champion over the top rope intentionally getting himself disqualified in a blatant demonstration of domination in order to say, "I don't need the title. I can get it any time I want." leaving the crowd in a state of awe.
{Read Article: Pt 1, Pt 2, Pt 3}
As Hogan's time with the AWA came to an end, Hogan received a handful of title shots against then NWA World champion Harley Race. In these matches Hogan showed the dominance that he would be known for over the next decade and the matches were often bloody and brutal. According to the March 1984 issues of "The Wrestler" one of these occasions saw Race notably succumb to defeat yet Hogan chose to throw the champion over the top rope intentionally getting himself disqualified in a blatant demonstration of domination in order to say, "I don't need the title. I can get it any time I want." leaving the crowd in a state of awe.
{Read Article: Pt 1, Pt 2, Pt 3}
AWA World Heavyweight Title
1983
Before going to the WWF, the AWA had one final chance to strap the championship belt on Hogan and thus keep him in the promotion. According to Greg Gagne several steel cage matches were planned and Hogan even won a battle royal at his last AWA event on November 14, 1983 earning a World title shot. But the matches never came to be as Hogan, either fed up with the AWA or seeing a better opportunity in the WWF left the promotion never to return. Whether or not the AWA was finally planning on strapping Hogan at this point remains a mystery to this day.
Before going to the WWF, the AWA had one final chance to strap the championship belt on Hogan and thus keep him in the promotion. According to Greg Gagne several steel cage matches were planned and Hogan even won a battle royal at his last AWA event on November 14, 1983 earning a World title shot. But the matches never came to be as Hogan, either fed up with the AWA or seeing a better opportunity in the WWF left the promotion never to return. Whether or not the AWA was finally planning on strapping Hogan at this point remains a mystery to this day.
WWF Intercontinental Title
WWF Intercontinental Title
1990
April 1, 1990; WrestleMania VI. WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan faced Intercontinental Champion the Irrelevant, er... I mean the Ultimate Warrior in the first ever duel title match at WrestleMania. While the Warrior wimp was hot for a while (or as Hogan would say, "Flavor of the Month") and many at the time thought his victory was the right way to go, the shear bomb of a title reign that resulted has left the majority of fans and promoters agreeing that Hogan's loss here was a mistake and looking back wish that Hogan had been booked to be the first man to hold the WWF World and IC titles conjointly.
April 1, 1990; WrestleMania VI. WWF World Champion Hulk Hogan faced Intercontinental Champion the Irrelevant, er... I mean the Ultimate Warrior in the first ever duel title match at WrestleMania. While the Warrior wimp was hot for a while (or as Hogan would say, "Flavor of the Month") and many at the time thought his victory was the right way to go, the shear bomb of a title reign that resulted has left the majority of fans and promoters agreeing that Hogan's loss here was a mistake and looking back wish that Hogan had been booked to be the first man to hold the WWF World and IC titles conjointly.
WWF World Heavyweight Title
1992
After months of build up and nearly a decade of anticipation the two most dominant stars of the 1980s Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair were finally scheduled to face off for the biggest prize in the sport, on the biggest stage in the business. Flair had come to the WWF claiming to be the real World champion and cost Hogan the WWF World title which wound up being declared vacant. Flair won the title at the Royal Rumble and the announcement was made that the two would square off for the title at WrestleMania VIII. But for reason still unclear (although many have speculated) the main event was changed and the match the fans had been waiting for which surely would have seen Hogan triumph did not take place.
After months of build up and nearly a decade of anticipation the two most dominant stars of the 1980s Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair were finally scheduled to face off for the biggest prize in the sport, on the biggest stage in the business. Flair had come to the WWF claiming to be the real World champion and cost Hogan the WWF World title which wound up being declared vacant. Flair won the title at the Royal Rumble and the announcement was made that the two would square off for the title at WrestleMania VIII. But for reason still unclear (although many have speculated) the main event was changed and the match the fans had been waiting for which surely would have seen Hogan triumph did not take place.
UWF SportsChannel TV Title
1992 & 1993
During his break from the WWF in 1992 and after leaving the WWF in 1993 Hogan was approached by Universal Wrestling Federation promoter Herb Abrams about coming to the UWF and facing UWF SportsChannel TV champion (the promotion's top title at the time) "Dr. Death" Steve Williams. At the time the UWF was filled with big name wrestlers not currently under contract with the WWF or WCW. According to Hogan he considered the move but said Abrams, "wasn't able to come up with the money" thus what surely would have been a battle of the titans never came to be.
During his break from the WWF in 1992 and after leaving the WWF in 1993 Hogan was approached by Universal Wrestling Federation promoter Herb Abrams about coming to the UWF and facing UWF SportsChannel TV champion (the promotion's top title at the time) "Dr. Death" Steve Williams. At the time the UWF was filled with big name wrestlers not currently under contract with the WWF or WCW. According to Hogan he considered the move but said Abrams, "wasn't able to come up with the money" thus what surely would have been a battle of the titans never came to be.
WWF World Tag Team Title
1993
I originally considered listing this as an unofficial title win for Hogan as he did appear to win the title. But there was never an official decision or announcement indicating this was an actual title win.
After nearly a year long absence, Hulk Hogan made his return to the WWF to team up with Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake to take on Money Inc. for the WWF World Tag Team title at WrestleMania IX. The original plan was to have Hogan and Beefcake win the title and go on tour defending against Money Inc. But the plan was changed. Money Inc retained the title while Hogan would go on to win the WWF World title that night from Yokozuna in an impromptu challenge. However the booking schedule remained the same with Hogan and Beefcake facing Money Inc all over the country. Hogan had to go to Japan to defend the WWF World title. Under the circumstances it would have made sense for Hogan and Beefcake to win the title.
I originally considered listing this as an unofficial title win for Hogan as he did appear to win the title. But there was never an official decision or announcement indicating this was an actual title win.
After nearly a year long absence, Hulk Hogan made his return to the WWF to team up with Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake to take on Money Inc. for the WWF World Tag Team title at WrestleMania IX. The original plan was to have Hogan and Beefcake win the title and go on tour defending against Money Inc. But the plan was changed. Money Inc retained the title while Hogan would go on to win the WWF World title that night from Yokozuna in an impromptu challenge. However the booking schedule remained the same with Hogan and Beefcake facing Money Inc all over the country. Hogan had to go to Japan to defend the WWF World title. Under the circumstances it would have made sense for Hogan and Beefcake to win the title.
IWGP World Heavyweight Title
1993
During Hogan's 5th WWF World title reign he went to Japan where he faced and ultimately defeated IWGP World champion The Great Muta in a battle of champions. The IWGP World title was not on the line however which is a shame. Hogan could have and SHOULD have become the WWF World and IWGP World champion simultaneously for the SECOND time in his career. Hogan is already the only wrestler to hold both titles conjointly. To do it twice would likely make the record unbeatable. While Hogan would soon drop the WWF World title to Yokozuna he wrestled exclusively for New Japan until 1994 thus would have had plenty of time to defend the title.
During Hogan's 5th WWF World title reign he went to Japan where he faced and ultimately defeated IWGP World champion The Great Muta in a battle of champions. The IWGP World title was not on the line however which is a shame. Hogan could have and SHOULD have become the WWF World and IWGP World champion simultaneously for the SECOND time in his career. Hogan is already the only wrestler to hold both titles conjointly. To do it twice would likely make the record unbeatable. While Hogan would soon drop the WWF World title to Yokozuna he wrestled exclusively for New Japan until 1994 thus would have had plenty of time to defend the title.
UWF Heavyweight Title
1994
Pretty much the same story as above, but by 1994 Abrams had created the UWF "World" Heavyweight title which was awarded to "Dr. Death" Steve Williams. Before going to WCW in July of 1994 Hogan had another chance to face "Dr. Death" Steve Williams for the UWF title. But once again money was the issue as Hogan was being offered an unprecedented amount of money to come to WCW. Clearly WCW was the better choice. Still, it would have been great if Hogan had gone to UWF for a time before going to WCW, won the UWF title and feuded with the likes of Williams, Terry Gordy, Cactus Jack, Paul Orndorff, Bam Bam Bigilow, Ivan Koloff, Don Muroco, Larry Zbyszko and other big name wrestlers who were in the UWF at the time.
Pretty much the same story as above, but by 1994 Abrams had created the UWF "World" Heavyweight title which was awarded to "Dr. Death" Steve Williams. Before going to WCW in July of 1994 Hogan had another chance to face "Dr. Death" Steve Williams for the UWF title. But once again money was the issue as Hogan was being offered an unprecedented amount of money to come to WCW. Clearly WCW was the better choice. Still, it would have been great if Hogan had gone to UWF for a time before going to WCW, won the UWF title and feuded with the likes of Williams, Terry Gordy, Cactus Jack, Paul Orndorff, Bam Bam Bigilow, Ivan Koloff, Don Muroco, Larry Zbyszko and other big name wrestlers who were in the UWF at the time.
WCW United States Heavyweight Title
1998
On 09/28/98 Rochester, NY (Monday Nitro) Hollywood Hogan faced WCW US champion Bret Hart. Hogan issued the challenge and Hart accepted. Durring the match Hart appeared to suffer a knee injury, was deemed unfit to continue and the match was stopped. As Hart was taken back on a stretcher Sting came down and faced Hogan in an extra match. During match two Hart came back down and attacked Sting showing his allegiance to Hogan. Somehow in all this confusion the U.S, title was over looked and forgotten. When a champion is deemed unfit to continue in a match the title is supposed to change hands. A good example in when Jerry Lawler defeated Kerry Von Erich for the World Class title after the match was stopped due to bleeding. Hogan too should have won the title.
On 09/28/98 Rochester, NY (Monday Nitro) Hollywood Hogan faced WCW US champion Bret Hart. Hogan issued the challenge and Hart accepted. Durring the match Hart appeared to suffer a knee injury, was deemed unfit to continue and the match was stopped. As Hart was taken back on a stretcher Sting came down and faced Hogan in an extra match. During match two Hart came back down and attacked Sting showing his allegiance to Hogan. Somehow in all this confusion the U.S, title was over looked and forgotten. When a champion is deemed unfit to continue in a match the title is supposed to change hands. A good example in when Jerry Lawler defeated Kerry Von Erich for the World Class title after the match was stopped due to bleeding. Hogan too should have won the title.
WCW World Heavyweight Title
1999
On the March 29, 1999 episode of WCW Monday Nitro, Hogan defeated Diamond Dallas Page. As a result of this victory Hogan was to get a shot at then Champion Ric Flair whom Hogan had lost the bet to via questionable circumstances and had been chasing ever since. Their match at Spring Stampede would have seen Hogan win the belt back. Unfortunately Hogan started having knee problems around this time and was forced to take some time off. The match instead became a four way with Sting and DDP (who won the championship). An injury to Hogan was worked into the match so that he could be written off TV while he had the operation.
Hear the announcers mention the original main event: {watch}
On the March 29, 1999 episode of WCW Monday Nitro, Hogan defeated Diamond Dallas Page. As a result of this victory Hogan was to get a shot at then Champion Ric Flair whom Hogan had lost the bet to via questionable circumstances and had been chasing ever since. Their match at Spring Stampede would have seen Hogan win the belt back. Unfortunately Hogan started having knee problems around this time and was forced to take some time off. The match instead became a four way with Sting and DDP (who won the championship). An injury to Hogan was worked into the match so that he could be written off TV while he had the operation.
Hear the announcers mention the original main event: {watch}
WCW World Heavyweight Title
2000
On March 19, 2000, Sid Vicious defended his WCW World title against Jeff Jarrett. He won thanks in part to help from a returning Hulk Hogan, which set up a match for the following night's Nitro pitting Sid and Hogan vs. Jarrett and Scott Steiner. During the course of the match, Sid turned heel and attacked Hogan, due to his being incensed that the fans were chanting Hogan's name. He choke slammed Hogan and forced the referee to count Hogan pinned (the official result was a no contest). This apparently might have been to set up a match for the upcoming Spring Stampede on April 16 of that year. {watch} However, shortly after this, Vince Russo returned to WCW and began the New Blood angle. Sid (along with all the other WCW titleholders at the time) was stripped of his championship and his feud with Hogan was brought to a halt.
On March 19, 2000, Sid Vicious defended his WCW World title against Jeff Jarrett. He won thanks in part to help from a returning Hulk Hogan, which set up a match for the following night's Nitro pitting Sid and Hogan vs. Jarrett and Scott Steiner. During the course of the match, Sid turned heel and attacked Hogan, due to his being incensed that the fans were chanting Hogan's name. He choke slammed Hogan and forced the referee to count Hogan pinned (the official result was a no contest). This apparently might have been to set up a match for the upcoming Spring Stampede on April 16 of that year. {watch} However, shortly after this, Vince Russo returned to WCW and began the New Blood angle. Sid (along with all the other WCW titleholders at the time) was stripped of his championship and his feud with Hogan was brought to a halt.
XWF Heavyweight Title
2001
When WCW closed down in early 2001 it left a huge whole in the wrestling business that needed to be filled. Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart attempted to do just that by creating the Xcitement Wrestling Federation. Hoping to present the family friendly wrestling product that had been lost during the "Monday Night War" of the 90s between WWE and WCW, the XWF utilized established stars and younger upstars many of whom came right out of WCW. The most notable name of all was Hulk Hogan who agreed to appear at the initial TV tapings to help his friend get started. Hogan even did an interview with Mean Gene Okerlund who asked Hogan if we would see him challenging for the XWF title. Hogan responded, "I'd love to have that big gold belt around my big fat waist brother." But sadly this was his only appearance for the short lived company. Had he stuck around and won the title, maybe the promotion could have found a TV outlet and survived.
When WCW closed down in early 2001 it left a huge whole in the wrestling business that needed to be filled. Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart attempted to do just that by creating the Xcitement Wrestling Federation. Hoping to present the family friendly wrestling product that had been lost during the "Monday Night War" of the 90s between WWE and WCW, the XWF utilized established stars and younger upstars many of whom came right out of WCW. The most notable name of all was Hulk Hogan who agreed to appear at the initial TV tapings to help his friend get started. Hogan even did an interview with Mean Gene Okerlund who asked Hogan if we would see him challenging for the XWF title. Hogan responded, "I'd love to have that big gold belt around my big fat waist brother." But sadly this was his only appearance for the short lived company. Had he stuck around and won the title, maybe the promotion could have found a TV outlet and survived.
NWA World Heavyweight Title
2003
Shortly after Hogan left WWE, TNA Wrestling began making overtures to Hogan, culminating in Jeff Jarrett, co-founder of TNA and then NWA World Heavyweight champion, launching an on-air attack on Hogan in Japan in October 2003. The attack was supposed to be a precursor to Hogan battling Jarrett for the NWA title at TNA's first three-hour pay-per-view. Only two years from the infamous WCW title match between the two this match was highly anticipated by the fans. However, due to recurring knee and hip problems, Hogan did not appear in TNA at that time. Still, the incident has been shown several times on TNA broadcasts, and was included in the TNA DVD TNA's Fifty Greatest Moments.
Shortly after Hogan left WWE, TNA Wrestling began making overtures to Hogan, culminating in Jeff Jarrett, co-founder of TNA and then NWA World Heavyweight champion, launching an on-air attack on Hogan in Japan in October 2003. The attack was supposed to be a precursor to Hogan battling Jarrett for the NWA title at TNA's first three-hour pay-per-view. Only two years from the infamous WCW title match between the two this match was highly anticipated by the fans. However, due to recurring knee and hip problems, Hogan did not appear in TNA at that time. Still, the incident has been shown several times on TNA broadcasts, and was included in the TNA DVD TNA's Fifty Greatest Moments.
Memphis Wrestling Southern Television Title
2007
When Hulk Hogan agreed to wrestle for Memphis Wrestling in 2007 he was originally scheduled to face Southern TV champion Jerry "The King" Lawler. There was months of build up for this match but Vince McMahon tried to stop the event when he refused to let Lawler (or any other WWE employee) participate on the card. The match with Lawler was scrapped and Hogan went on to face (and defeat) recently departed WWE star Paul Wight (The Big Show) instead. While the match which took place on 4/27/07 was enjoyable and became a somewhat of a tribute to the legendary Hogan/Andre match of 20 years earlier, it still left fans who were looking forward to the Hogan Lawler showdown disappointed and angry with McMahon.
Hear Hogan make the challenge for the title {watch}
When Hulk Hogan agreed to wrestle for Memphis Wrestling in 2007 he was originally scheduled to face Southern TV champion Jerry "The King" Lawler. There was months of build up for this match but Vince McMahon tried to stop the event when he refused to let Lawler (or any other WWE employee) participate on the card. The match with Lawler was scrapped and Hogan went on to face (and defeat) recently departed WWE star Paul Wight (The Big Show) instead. While the match which took place on 4/27/07 was enjoyable and became a somewhat of a tribute to the legendary Hogan/Andre match of 20 years earlier, it still left fans who were looking forward to the Hogan Lawler showdown disappointed and angry with McMahon.
Hear Hogan make the challenge for the title {watch}
WWE World Heavyweight Title
2009
In 2013 Hulk Hogan sued the Laser Spine Institute in Florida who performed multiple back surgeries on the ailing Hulkster in 2009. Hogan claimed these procedures were unnecessary as his back problems were later corrected with traditional surgery. In the suite Hogan claims that the multiple surgeries cost him a chance to return to WWE and work a program with John Cena at WrestleMania 25. While Cena wasn't the WWE World champion at the time, the same was true when he worked a program with the Rock just a few WrestleManias later but they worked an angle so that the Rock would win the belt and lose it to Cena. So clearly WWE was looking to involve the WWE World title when Cena faced a WWE legend. That legend - who would either win the WWE title from or lose it to Cena - SHOULD have been Hulk Hogan.
In 2013 Hulk Hogan sued the Laser Spine Institute in Florida who performed multiple back surgeries on the ailing Hulkster in 2009. Hogan claimed these procedures were unnecessary as his back problems were later corrected with traditional surgery. In the suite Hogan claims that the multiple surgeries cost him a chance to return to WWE and work a program with John Cena at WrestleMania 25. While Cena wasn't the WWE World champion at the time, the same was true when he worked a program with the Rock just a few WrestleManias later but they worked an angle so that the Rock would win the belt and lose it to Cena. So clearly WWE was looking to involve the WWE World title when Cena faced a WWE legend. That legend - who would either win the WWE title from or lose it to Cena - SHOULD have been Hulk Hogan.
NWA World Heavyweight Title
2009
This was a rumored deal between Hulk Hogan - who was about to begin his first ever tour of Australia in November where he would be facing the returning Ric Flair who had previously "retired" from WWE - and the National Wrestling Alliance - who had fallen off the radar after TNA split from the NWA in 2007. According to rumor Flair was to defeat then NWA World champion Blue Demon Jr. for the title and take it with him on the tour where Hogan and Flair would battle over it and seeing Hogan emerge as the NWA World champion. For reasons unknown (perhaps they were in fact just rumors) this arrangement did not take place. A real shame as it would have been historic to see the two greatest of all time battling for the oldest World championship on a real world tour. Another historic moment lost.
This was a rumored deal between Hulk Hogan - who was about to begin his first ever tour of Australia in November where he would be facing the returning Ric Flair who had previously "retired" from WWE - and the National Wrestling Alliance - who had fallen off the radar after TNA split from the NWA in 2007. According to rumor Flair was to defeat then NWA World champion Blue Demon Jr. for the title and take it with him on the tour where Hogan and Flair would battle over it and seeing Hogan emerge as the NWA World champion. For reasons unknown (perhaps they were in fact just rumors) this arrangement did not take place. A real shame as it would have been historic to see the two greatest of all time battling for the oldest World championship on a real world tour. Another historic moment lost.
TNA World Heavyweight Title
2011
TNA teased this match for months. When 50+ year old Sting won the title, the sole purpose was to give Hogan a champion that he could believably defeat even at 58 and after multiple back surgeries. The plan was for Hogan to win the championship at Lockdown 2011 (or shortly there after) and ultimately drop the title at the Bound For Glory PPV to a younger TNA star who would get the title shot via wining a round robin tournament in a "passing of the torch" to the younger generation. The chosen star who won the tournament and eventually got the title was Bobby Roode. Unfortunately Hogan was not sufficiently recovered from the back surgeries by the time he was to win the title and TNA went a slightly different route by having Kurt Angle defeat Sting and ultimately drop the title to the younger generation.
TNA teased this match for months. When 50+ year old Sting won the title, the sole purpose was to give Hogan a champion that he could believably defeat even at 58 and after multiple back surgeries. The plan was for Hogan to win the championship at Lockdown 2011 (or shortly there after) and ultimately drop the title at the Bound For Glory PPV to a younger TNA star who would get the title shot via wining a round robin tournament in a "passing of the torch" to the younger generation. The chosen star who won the tournament and eventually got the title was Bobby Roode. Unfortunately Hogan was not sufficiently recovered from the back surgeries by the time he was to win the title and TNA went a slightly different route by having Kurt Angle defeat Sting and ultimately drop the title to the younger generation.
NEW Northeastern Heavyweight Title
2012
Northeast Wrestling held it's big event WRESTLING UNDER THE STARS on 10/22/12. While Hulk Hogan was only scheduled for a meet & greet and an in ring interview, there was an opportunity for something bigger when Jerry Lawler was forced to pull out of the event due to a heart attack he suffered just a week prior. Fans pushed for Hogan to win the title in some sort of impromptu challenge (much like his WrestleMania IX title win) where he would then dedicate his win to Lawler. This would have made for a huge climax to the show and been a nice show of class. Sadly NEW chose not to do this. {pic}
Northeast Wrestling held it's big event WRESTLING UNDER THE STARS on 10/22/12. While Hulk Hogan was only scheduled for a meet & greet and an in ring interview, there was an opportunity for something bigger when Jerry Lawler was forced to pull out of the event due to a heart attack he suffered just a week prior. Fans pushed for Hogan to win the title in some sort of impromptu challenge (much like his WrestleMania IX title win) where he would then dedicate his win to Lawler. This would have made for a huge climax to the show and been a nice show of class. Sadly NEW chose not to do this. {pic}
TNA World Heavyweight Title
2013
For over a year TNA teased a match pitting Hulk Hogan against the leader of Aces & Eights who was eventually revealed to be Hogan's very own (storyline) son in law Bully Ray. Bully admitted to marring Hogan's daughter Brooke just to get to use him to get the title shot and then humiliated Brooke just to get to the Hulkster. Every week it seemed they were on the verge of butting heads as the fans waited for the inevitable night when Hogan would face Bully for the gold. Hogan even teased the fans on the internet stating that he was indeed wanting one more title reign. The ideal event for Hogan to win the title would have been Slammiversary XI. As his reign would likely have been short anyway this would have been the biggest stage for him to win it on before either losing it back to Bully Ray or vacating it and announcing that the winner of the Bound For Glory tournament would become the new champion. In my opinion TNA really dropped the ball with this one.
For over a year TNA teased a match pitting Hulk Hogan against the leader of Aces & Eights who was eventually revealed to be Hogan's very own (storyline) son in law Bully Ray. Bully admitted to marring Hogan's daughter Brooke just to get to use him to get the title shot and then humiliated Brooke just to get to the Hulkster. Every week it seemed they were on the verge of butting heads as the fans waited for the inevitable night when Hogan would face Bully for the gold. Hogan even teased the fans on the internet stating that he was indeed wanting one more title reign. The ideal event for Hogan to win the title would have been Slammiversary XI. As his reign would likely have been short anyway this would have been the biggest stage for him to win it on before either losing it back to Bully Ray or vacating it and announcing that the winner of the Bound For Glory tournament would become the new champion. In my opinion TNA really dropped the ball with this one.
