Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are promoting the Hulkamania tour. It’s a send off of sorts for Hogan giving him one last run in the ring as a competitor. Word is this comes partially from Vince and WWE not wanting to “utilize” the hulkster as a top in ring attraction as in the past. As Hogan in his own words has stated, they want to go with the “younger” guys. Of course…Hogan forgets he’s past the “old guys” at this point too….barely being able to even bump for hbk in 2005…..let alone now five years later….
Regardless…the tour features what could be Hogan’s last big in ring match against another guy who could also be having his final in ring encounter….Ric Flair.
What’s that you say? But Flair already had a send off?! You’re right…he did. And a damn good one at that. Everybody who is even a remote current wrestling fan knows about the emotional and perfectly executed send off Flair got around Wrestlemania 24 weekend. No wrestler has EVER got an exit such as Flair’s. Now he’s lacing the boots back up?? Yep.
Granted Flair turned down offer after offer in respect to WWE and Shawn Michaels especially for putting him over so well in his send off. Actually, I’m surprised Flair lasted this long before getting back in the ring. To his credit, Flair also is only accepting this b/c it’s not in the states and not on WWE tv. Thus….if you’re not an internet fan…you probably won’t even know about it. So some credit to Flair for not totally ruining his retirement.
Bischoff, who’s helping promote the tour, in recent interviews stated that a documentary style DVD would be in the works showing the lead up to this incredible and historic event featuring possibly the last match of each of these great legends’ careers.
Who can argue that both aren’t considered the best ever in different circles. Ask ten wrestling fans, five wills say Flair is the best ever, the other five will state Hogan.
The only downside to this match will be…well…perhaps the match. As both men are close to sixty now….and as stated Hogan can barely bump…it will be something to behold if an actual match can be put together. The load will certainly be on Flair to carry. However, with Hogan being the most charismatic character ever to grace a ring….he’ll do his part in his own way to keep the crowd into this and keep it special.
Both men are legends for these two reasons in fact. Hogan, for bringing his ability to own a room of be it 2 people or 200,000 people with his charm and charisma that is unmatched. Flair, for his incredible ability to have an hour plus wrestling clinic with a broomstick and make it look like a ring legend.
Both men have sold out arenas across the globe for over 20 years. Both men have revolutionized the industry known as wrestling or sports-entertainment. Both men have a cross-over appeal that even non-wrestling fans know their names.
This match is no doubt Wrestlemania worthy….and I would bet all I own that Vince and the WWE are kicking themselves for not having Flair/Hogan and perhaps the last match of their careers on WWE tv. Most fans aren’t even aware this is happening. Could you imagine the build, promotion, and money that could be made of this had it actually occured via the WWE??
Having said that….Vince has always dropped the ball when it comes to Hogan vs. Flair. The proverbial dream match of the eighties and early nineties….Vince was the first promoter to have them both on his roster. The dream match was thought to occur that year at Wrestlemania. For some reason it did not. The two would not meet on WWE tv until nearly ten years later well past each of their primes and way too late for the “dream match” to have much meaning unless it was as a goodbye such as this. Ironically WCW featured these two’s first PPV “dream match” encounter in 1994.
Again now, fifteen years later, the two meet once more. Again, WWE does not have the match. Here’s hoping Vince pulls some strings and perhaps we get this one last time for Wrestlemania 26. For Wrestlemania has yet to hold a true end to the legend of Hulkamania. And in a hurting wrestling world in need of a feel good wrestlemania moment..and hell, for a hurting world even in need of a “real american hero” once more…or a “real americana moment”….what a better one than Hogan vs. Flair…one more time….but for ALL to see. Here’s hoping…and if not….here’s hoping we can all catch a glimpse of this tour when it’s completed.
This has been the Jakebowski and the wrestling rant…
