Hogan’s Ready to ‘Rock His World’
Hogan receives a mix reaction in the Chicago crowd. “The WWF, made Hulk Hogan famous…”. Hogan then goes on to comment on how he’s so glad that he can once again be in this ring. He follows this up by talking about how the fans have been through it all with him, mentioning the late, Andre the Giant.
He describes this in being an experienced he shared with the people in the crowd and at home, excellently. “But you know something, something happened… then you people turned on me!” The crowd then gives Hogan the “WHAT!” treatment. Hogan, being quick witted replied, “WHAT!–YOUGUNNADO”… The comment didn’t get any response, and so he quickly moved on. Trying to gain some more cheap heat, Hogan mentions Michael Jordan being treated badly by Chicago. This worked, causing uproar in the crowd. Hulk thanks Vince, to more boo’s. “There’s only one thing I wanna say to you WWE fans… You can kiss my ass!” He finally gloats about the fact that he was the one who made wrestling what it is today. “There’s nobody in this business that is a bigger icon than me!” Continuing to gloat, The Rock interrupts him. To a good ovation by the crowd. “Wrestling’s past, is about to meet wrestling’s future!” – What a great additional comment by JR. showing his class as a commentator, knowing exactly what to say, at exactly the right time.
The Rock stares down to Hogan. They both remove their glasses, as the intensity increases. The Rock leads up to, “It doesn’t matter what you think!” to a thunderous response from the crowd. The promo eventually leads to The Rock challenging Hogan to a match at WrestleMania, to an almighty pop. The crowd then starts to chant “HOGAN”… proving that it wouldn’t just be a straight up ‘heel vs face’ match, but a mixture of the two. “You know what… they’ve got a name for people like you… it’s called flavour of the month!”, argues Hogan. He then goes on to talk down to Rock, saying he’s not even in his league.
The Rock raises his palm, to cut of Hogan in mid-sentence, insisting a yes or no answer. Rock continues to create a picture in the fans heads, calling it a fantasy matchup. Suddenly The Rock becomes unsure – “Maybe it shouldn’t be up to you to decide… Maybe it shouldn’t even be up for the Rock to decide? Maybe… it should be up, to the people?”. The Rock asks the people in the crowd, to an astonishing reaction. The Rock then goes on to mock Hogan, signalling to the crowd, to an even bigger pop. “Yes… or no?”… – “YES!” Hogan pulls out his hand to shake Rocks, he mentions, “Good luck [pulls him closer] you’re gonna need it!” With Hogan’s hand still attached to Rock’s, he tries to leave, but Rock holds on. “Not as much as you… brother!” — Rock bottom! — To a thunderous reaction.
What a great segment. Not once again showing Rock’s on Hogan’s level, but surpassing it! A good solid build up towards their match. The promo didn’t seem to go on for too long, and even added in unique catchphrases, that all round added to the feeling of this bout. It reminded us that this match wasn’t for a title, nor a rivalry… but was simply ‘icon vs icon’. Just as Rocky goes to leave, the NWO walk out and start beating down on the Rock.
The Rock is pushed back in the ring, and Hogan starts to beat the Rock with his belt. Scott Hall delivers a ‘razors edge’ to the surprise of the crowd. Kevin Nash then hits an emphatic ‘power bomb’. Hogan goes under the ring, and finds a hammer. Nash and Hall hold Rock, and Hogan smashes the hammer over his head. This all eventually ends with Hogan delivering the ‘leg drop’, and Hall simulating the ‘1,2,3’. To add the final cherry on top, Hogan adds “NWO too sweet” on Rocks back with a spray can. Rock exists the ring via a stretcher.
When the show comes back on air, Rock is seen being placed into an ambulance. The ambulance is seen to drive off, but eventually stopped by two cars placed at the back and front of the vehicle. So the ambulance cannot move. The people inside the cars are none other, than the NWO. They end up smashing the car, and locking him inside. Hogan then drives his truck right into the ambulance, with the idea that Rock is still locked inside. Causing destruction to the ambulance. The NWO then quickly escape, without a trace.
When the show airs back, Jerry takes a second to point out “this is way more than wrestling”, consistent on the point that there is a difference from what takes place in the industry and pure savage destruction. A good point by Lawler, making the scenario seem more legitimate.
