The Genius At Work

It just wouldn't be WrestleMania season without a few Hulk Hogan public appearances to try and get under the skin of Vince McMahon. Hulk Hogan's appearance last week at UFC "Ultimate Fight Night" was another slippery political maneuver in the long history of Hulkster power plays. If that wasn't enough, the appearance of Kurt Angle on the Bubba The Love Sponge radio show where Angle said TNA was in negotiations with Hogan added more fuel to the fire.

To clear up any confusion, Hulk Hogan will NEVER wrestle in TNA. Hulk Hogan has in the past and will continue to use TNA, his pal Bubba The Love Sponge, and now UFC as pawns in his game with Vince McMahon in order to get a spot, and a big pay day, at WrestleMania.

The first of Hogan's many public jabs at Vince was in 2001. After the demise of WCW, Hogan and Jimmy Hart decided to start their own promotion called XWF. Hogan was the top babyface star on a roster that included Curt Hennig and The Nasty Boys. Hogan also began making appearances on, you guessed it, Bubba The Love Sponge claiming he was going to become a better wrestling promoter than Vince McMahon and XWF was the new force in professional wrestling.

Shortly thereafter, a phone call was placed to Hulk Hogan offering him the main event spot at WrestleMania 18 against Steve Austin. XWF immediately folds. The spot designed for Steve Austin went to The Rock after Austin refused to do business with Hogan. XWF was completely orchestrated in order to make Vince sweat. After the "WCW invasion" angle was completley botched, Vince needed to salvage what he could from his investment. Hogan played Vince perfectly and scored a great pay for his match with The Rock.

Hogan also played Jeff Jarrett and other TNA execs in October of 2003. After a match with Masa Chono for New Japan Pro Wrestling, Jeff Jarrett attacked Hulk Hogan with his guitar to set-up a potential match between the two in TNA. After months of negotiations, the deal seemed to be in place. TNA went as far as to show the footage from the angle on their pay-per-view. Hogan however had other ideas on his mind. The match never happened as the whole angle was Hogan's way to try and get Vince jealous enough so The Hulkster could make a return at WrestleMania 20.

The plan didn't work, as Hogan did not return to WrestleMania 20 nor any WWE television in 2004. This didn't stop Hogan from mentioning how big of a fan he was of TNA on his many Bubba The Love Sponge appearances all throghout that year.

Hulk Hogan returned strong in 2005 with an appearance at WrestleMania 21 and at Summerslam where he wrestled Shawn Michaels in one of the most purchased pay-per-view's ever. Unfortunately, The Hulkster was unhappy about how little money he got for that match. Hogan remarked how the payoff for his match with Shawn Michaels "wasn't even good enough for my limo driver." It seems Brooke's singing career is costing the Hogan family more than just their dignity.

After not being able to draw the same kind of response for his match with Randy Otron in 2006, people are beginning to wonder whether Hogan's drawing power is diminishing. Realizing this, the Hulkster makes his appearance on UFC television and got his name mentioned by TNA's top wrestler. Whether he can draw money or not, Hogan knows the easiest way to Vince McMahon's wallet is by making his blood boil. The man is simply a genius.

However there is one man that Hogan cannot seem to play. Stone Cold Steve Austin. While in WCW Hogan refused to work with the young "Stunning" Steve Austin and now the tables have turned. Austin will occassionally hint that he would be willing to wrestle Hogan, but my guess is, this is Austin's way of trying to out-Hogan, Hogan. Austin has absolutely learned from the best.

Share |