Just like the President gives our State of the Union address, I believe it to be time for a Hulkamaniac to give a State of Hulkamania Address. Since I personally know the Hulkster and chat with him frequently (every few months or so, but briefly) and have been a loyal fan since I was 4 years old and now am 31 married with kids and have a HUGE man cave/gym all decked-out that would put a Hulkamania museum to shame. Needless to say, I’m a big fan and I think I’m up for the job to give an assessment of Hulkamania and its future role.
I am not going to impugn any of you wrestling fans knowledge by providing a rundown of his accomplishment title to title, TV show to Movie etc etc. We all know how many years he’s dominated the industry and what he has helped to build and which defining moments of his that will live forever. Needless to say this will not be a lesson of Hulkamania history. We all know he has accomplished more than any other wrestler in history and has become not only the most recognized wrestling name in the world but arguably one of the most internationally known pop-culture icons that remains a household name throughout multiple generation to this day.
Right now Hulkamania WILL be WWE bound whether the young foul mouth haters that lack substance and/or rationale like it or not. soon either peeps like it or not. Fact is, a feud with Cena in pretty much inevitable and will make for amazing draw for WM30. Business is business and young bucks who only care about their hip, young flavor of the months won’t ever understand that even when blue in the face if losing the argument. Being vulgar by making short and stupid hateful comments towards Hulkamania is easier nowadays instead of listening to reason and what’s best for the business. That being said, I’m pretty sure many whom spout their immature mouths off would have a double standard involved when it comes to the multi-wife/women beating redneck that many hold in high regard and even put in the same league as Hogan, Flair, Macho and guys like Andre which I personally think is crazy while looking at the fact that Austin really only carried the torch (as the TOP guy) for 3 to 4 years in between guys like Bret & HBK than to Rock & HHH. But hey, to each their own… whoever and whatever could deliver the best draw for WM30 is whats best for business period. Hogan appears to be the best guy right now that will put the most butts in seats; therefore he’ll have yet another run in WWE.
I am a firm believer in supporting whatever is the best for business and for the future of WWE product. That being said… I think having Hogan coming back for another run is a mistake. YES… I said mistake! I pride myself on being a TRUE fan of Hulkamania. At the same time I also maintain rational thought as well as substance over style at the forefront and lets face it… Hulkamania has nothing else to prove or do so it doesn’t need anymore substance and it’s kind of out of style to say the least.
Not “if” but, “when” Hogan comes back home to the WWE, I think its in the best interest that they honor Hogan with the same story-line they did with Flair a few years ago and have John Cena retire him already and for good. This should have happened back in 05 against HBK. Because the following year having Hogan beat someone young/talented and up and coming like Randy Orton was NOT good business; infact, I’m still scratching my head on that one. Fact is: Hogan does want to come back but not for one more match, rather for a run instead. One last match I think everyone (even though the quality would be horrible) can agree that it would make great buy-rates at record numbers; therefore its a no brainer. That being said, I must reiterate… Hogan having another run is a mistake for several reasons. First being, him being put over (in anyway) younger talent in counterproductive at best towards future stars the WWE needs to continue creating and building on. Things like breaking Undertakers streak and ending Hulkamania for good are GREAT pushes that younger talent need. To be honest, I much rather have a younger talent/less known talent beat Hogan to give him a push he could use because Cena doesn’t need it but…. business is business. Moreover, Hogan being seen running wild for another run (even if its only for a few months or weeks for that matter) would be horrible for the younger fans to see which will lose their interest, viewership and fanship in general which could be a much worse decision than anyone could realize looking long term.
Fact is, I am glad my guy (Hogan) made so many memories for me and passed the torch more times than anyone else. Putting over Macho, Warrior, Yoko, Goldberg, Sting, The Rock has been enough. It’s time for other fans to have their guy whoever they may be make an impact on the business. Sadly, that won’t happen for them because guys like Hogan, Undertaker, Flair, Sting, HHH and others won’t get the f**k out of the way. Instead they rather have their ego stroked while thinking its improving their legacy; when in-fact it’s doing the opposite. Passing the torch yet again isn’t really necessary and as a TRUE Hulkamaniac, I’d rather not see a role model of mine be tossed around at 60 years old after having 2 knee replacements, 1 hip and 12 back surgeries but a young beast like John Cena. However, even putting all that aside, I am willing to watch it and rip my shirt in celebration when the Hulkster comes out but… this time, unfortunately I’ll be time holding my breath the whole match in concern that his other hip won’t break while in motion.
We as fans have to stop being so bias towards “our guy”, over everyone elses. Hulkamaniac’s are some of the most loyal fans in the world but they are some of the most arrogant as well. Fact is, Hulkamania did NOT make Wrestlemania. It was the other way around and Wrestlemania won’t be able to make other stars for other kids to look up to if these older stars keep using politics and their star-power to attempt to steal valuable air-time and spotlight. People wonder why TNA is in the garbage shoot, its because amazing talent like The Pope & AJ Styles should be pushed but instead they had idiots like Jarrett & Sting on top for years on end, than Hogan talking smack and cutting promos for the past couple of years in B.S. story-lines when young guys could be showing what they might have to bring to the table. But… instead they have “Bully Ray” punk-out Hulk Hogan??? night after night???Riiiiiiight. Why would any Hulkamaniac want their idol in that role???
After this Hogan/Cena match at WM30 that might take place, the state of Hulkamania needs to be over in the ring. I love it so much, I’m only being honest and unbiased when being truthful enough to admit that it’s been played out a bit too long. Having him beat HHH for the strap was awesome for me back in 2002 but didn’t make sense for business and for the young fans and their heros whom are trying to climb the ladder of success. Hulk Hogan has far more to offer the WWE than wrestling in a match. Hogan is a Merchandise machine and is still highly marketable. I love getting my daughter a little pink Hulkamania shirt and a Hulkamania beer holder for myself. Thats where Hulkamania should be… on their website selling merchandise, meeting fans at fan festivals, going on TV shows promoting events for them and to put over younger talent. Hulkamania will never die because it has made more defining moments than any other and its simply not able (at 60 years old) to make another. Hulk Hogan could be used as the most powerful WWE ambassador with all the doors and outlets he has open to him but… Hulkamania can still run wild for wrestling, just not in the ring. With the speculation of the WWE launching their network next year, Hogan could easily host his own show highlighting matches of his or simply take interviews, answer questions, interact with previous opponents on-air etc etc. The possibilities with using Hogan (outside of the ring) are endless.
I know many of you fellow Hulkamaniac’s will disagree with me and bash me for wanting to end something that kinda ended 10 years ago (just being honest) but… thats cool shoot away, sometimes it’s easier to take the irrational approach and name-call for wanting to end something that we Hulkamaniac’s simply should be letting go of already. Just like Hogan did several times in the past, we need to start passing the torch to other fan bases and make room for them to run wild.
