Do you feel that Hulk Hogan often gets a free pass from smarks...

[Jacob Fox]

Hogan gets a pass from me for being a dick behind the scenes in the wrestling business. You don't make it to the top by being a sweetheart or a kiss ass to everyone in the locker room. He did what he had to do to put himself first, and it just so happened to work out in his favor mostly. Can't blame a man for that.

Here is the problem with that way of thinking. Hogan was already at the top before he turned into a monumental dick. So it wasn't him being a dick that got him to the top, it was being at the top that made him a dick. You can give him a pass for that. I can't.

 

[Mr. Roman Empire]

Here is the problem with that way of thinking. Hogan was already at the top before he turned into a monumental dick. So it wasn't him being a dick that got him to the top, it was being at the top that made him a dick. You can give him a pass for that. I can't.

Yeah but Hogan had one of the greatest runs in Wrestling history. From WWE, to WCW, back to WWE because of his politics. I don't blame the man for putting himself first in line in front of other people. Hogan was THE trail blazer and never wanted to lose his spot at the top. There's nothing wrong with that in my opinion. The mind set of wrestling was probably alot different back then about "putting guys over" because wrestlers back then were the first the really being taking off globally as like sort of rock star athletes basically. U didn't know if u stood down to let some other guy take ur spot if that was gonna be ur death call and the dwindling down of ur career. It's not like now where wrestlers today have seen all the legacies that were created from all sorts of wrestlers who took all sorts of different paths. Back in Hogans era, when he was basically The Bealtes of the wrestling game, he wanted to stay that way as long as he could and did everything in his power too

 

[Jacob Fox]

Yeah but Hogan had one of the greatest runs in Wrestling history. From WWE, to WCW, back to WWE because of his politics. I don't blame the man for putting himself first in line in front of other people. Hogan was THE trail blazer and never wanted to lose his spot at the top. There's nothing wrong with that in my opinion. The mind set of wrestling was probably alot different back then about "putting guys over" because wrestlers back then were the first the really being taking off globally as like sort of rock star athletes basically. U didn't know if u stood down to let some other guy take ur spot if that was gonna be ur death call and the dwindling down of ur career. It's not like now where wrestlers today have seen all the legacies that were created from all sorts of wrestlers who took all sorts of different paths. Back in Hogans era, when he was basically The Bealtes of the wrestling game, he wanted to stay that way as long as he could and did everything in his power too

I don't think Hogan was ever in a position where he wouldn't be one of if not the top guy in any organization he was in. Based off Rocky III, his AWA and finally his first WWF run, he was the most known wrestler in the world. He was never in danger of getting big pay days and work when he wanted it because simply appearing would bring in the fans.

For most wrestlers, I might agree with what you said. Hogan proved over and over that his name was money and this was long before he developed into a major asshole. Before Hogan, Andre the Giant was the biggest wrestler in the business for well over a decade and he had a reputation for being one of the nicest guys in the business, even when he got old and cranky.

But yeah, we'll just have to disagree on this one. I don't think you have to be an asshole to stay on top. And Hogan definitely didn't because his name was always guaranteed money. He's just an ass.

 

[edge4ever]

I don't think Hogan was ever in a position where he wouldn't be one of if not the top guy in any organization he was in. Based off Rocky III, his AWA and finally his first WWF run, he was the most known wrestler in the world. He was never in danger of getting big pay days and work when he wanted it because simply appearing would bring in the fans.

For most wrestlers, I might agree with what you said. Hogan proved over and over that his name was money and this was long before he developed into a major asshole. Before Hogan, Andre the Giant was the biggest wrestler in the business for well over a decade and he had a reputation for being one of the nicest guys in the business, even when he got old and cranky.

But yeah, we'll just have to disagree on this one. I don't think you have to be an asshole to stay on top. And Hogan definitely didn't because his name was always guaranteed money. He's just an ass.

This. And honestly the perfect example of not having or needing to be a dick, even though I understand that times were different, is Cena, Roman, Goldberg, Stone Cold, or Brock were not nearly as bad as him when it came to ego. Each one of these men were the top dog for years and could’ve easily started To be a complete asshole to everyone, but they didn’t.

 

[SWL]

you can't compare that, there was no such thing as a smark in the 80s. People actually watched wrestling to enjoy it, can you believe that? They didn't even know how things ran backstage so they just bought whatever was presented to them on the TV and they liked it. Incredible! I know.

Besides, Hulk Hogan was probably the only wrestler in WWE/F history that was completely irreplaceable at his peak. I mean, try to imagine Mania 3 without Hulk Hogan.. that's obscene. You can hate on the person he is, and trust me, I'm not too keen on the person either but the character made pro wrestling main stream for the first time. He was the most over act in pro wrestling and it showed when he jumped ship to WCW and basically changed the wrestling business once more

so, he gets a pass for being one half of who built what we have today, next to Vince obviously

 

[edge4ever]

you can't compare that, there was no such thing as a smark in the 80s. People actually watched wrestling to enjoy it, can you believe that? They didn't even know how things ran backstage so they just bought whatever was presented to them on the TV and they liked it. Incredible! I know.

Besides, Hulk Hogan was probably the only wrestler in WWE/F history that was completely irreplaceable at his peak. I mean, try to imagine Mania 3 without Hulk Hogan.. that's obscene. You can hate on the person he is, and trust me, I'm not too keen on the person either but the character made pro wrestling main stream for the first time. He was the most over act in pro wrestling and it showed when he jumped ship to WCW and basically changed the wrestling business once more

so, he gets a pass for being one half of who built what we have today, next to Vince obviously

No. Stone cold, for example, was in a similar spot as Hogan as far as being irreplaceable. Imagine the attitude era without stone cold. They wouldn’t have made it. He sent them over the edge to beating WCW. He single handedly outdid everything WCW could throw at them, including Hogan. Yet, Stone Cold was no where near the same level of arrogance or absurdity as Hogan. Did Steve have an ego? Of course. Was he nearly as bad as Hogan? No.

No one gets a “pass” simply because they help build an empire. Why? Because there’s several majorly succcessful men like him that didn’t do it that way.

I’m not saying that every top dog and ego has to be the perfect role model, but Hogan was and is the epitamy of being a douche. And, at the end of the day, you can try to justify him, but a douche is a douche.

Also, Vince even said that the greatest wrestler of all time is stone Cold. That he single handedly saved the company and was the best overall wrestler.

 

[SWL]

No. Stone cold, for example, was in a similar spot as Hogan as far as being irreplaceable. Imagine the attitude era without stone cold. They wouldn’t have made it. He sent them over the edge to beating WCW. He single handedly outdid everything WCW could throw at them, including Hogan. Yet, Stone Cold was no where near the same level of arrogance or absurdity as Hogan. Did Steve have an ego? Of course. Was he nearly as bad as Hogan? No.

No one gets a “pass” simply because they help build an empire. Why? Because there’s several majorly succcessful men like him that didn’t do it that way.

I’m not saying that every top dog and ego has to be the perfect role model, but Hogan was and is the epitamy of being a douche. And, at the end of the day, you can try to justify him, but a douche is a douche.

Also, Vince even said that the greatest wrestler of all time is stone Cold. That he single handedly saved the company and was the best overall wrestler.

If Stone Cold wasn't there, it would have been the Rock. Easy as that. And Stone Cold didn't even have to leave for that be proven right as both of them are still being talked about as the faces of that era. Not just Stone Cold.

Besides, if the first few Manias wouldn't have succeeded, there wouldn't be anything for Stone Cold to save in the first place. And obviously Hulk Hogan was the main key to that. I don't care that he's a douche, I said that in my original post.

 

[Ginothony Bamtano]

I think nowadays everybody is aware of Hogan's assholish nature behind the scenes. It's all in the past though, so nobody can actively complain about it cause it happened 15-25 years ago.

Cena's still relevant, and his haters still try their best to vocalize their hate. If Hogan was doing the same things today (assuming he's an active competitor now and not 25 years ago), he would get shit on daily by smarks.

Hogan's an ass, but it's so long ago that nobody really needs to talk about it.

Still pop everytime his theme plays, though.

 

[Jacob Fox]

If Stone Cold wasn't there, it would have been the Rock. Easy as that. .

That is very debatable. Most fans hated the Rock as Rocky Maivia and WWE was already on the verge of going under. It was due to Vince's role as villain after the screwjob and Austin's defiance of him that got people to switch back from WCW to check out what was going on in WWF. They weren't tuning in because of Rocky. Rock didn't even start getting over until mid to late 1998. They wouldn't have been able to capitalize on Vince's heat from the screwjob by opposing him with the Rock, since people hated him just as much.

It's arguable the Rock might have caught on without Austin there. However, it's arguable that the WWF wouldn't have survived long enough to make this happen. The word was that Vince put everything on the line getting Mike Tyson to appear at WrestleMania 14 and should the PPV have failed, then he wouldn't be able to keep up with payroll. The Rock wouldn't have been able to main event Mania over Austin because everyone still hated him.

So it could be argued quite competently that Rock would have never had a chance to be the main attitude era guy if Austin wasn't bringing in the money that kept the WWF afloat while he was getting over.

 

[edge4ever]

That is very debatable. Most fans hated the Rock as Rocky Maivia and WWE was already on the verge of going under. It was due to Vince's role as villain after the screwjob and Austin's defiance of him that got people to switch back from WCW to check out what was going on in WWF. They weren't tuning in because of Rocky. Rock didn't even start getting over until mid to late 1998. They wouldn't have been able to capitalize on Vince's heat from the screwjob by opposing him with the Rock, since people hated him just as much.

It's arguable the Rock might have caught on without Austin there. However, it's arguable that the WWF wouldn't have survived long enough to make this happen. The word was that Vince put everything on the line getting Mike Tyson to appear at WrestleMania 14 and should the PPV have failed, then he wouldn't be able to keep up with payroll. The Rock wouldn't have been able to main event Mania over Austin because everyone still hated him.

So it could be argued quite competently that Rock would have never had a chance to be the main attitude era guy if Austin wasn't bringing in the money that kept the WWF afloat while he was getting over.

This. I didn’t feel like arguing back and forth with him earlier, but you said what was on my mind. The rock is a mega star and once Austin couldn’t do it anymore, the rock took over. However, I don’t think the rock was as monumental as Austin. Again, Austin literally carried the attitude era. Sure there were other stars and factors that contributed to his success, but he was it. He was white hot for years and single handedly drove WWE to success. In the documentaries outlining how WWE stayed afloat and then eventually beat WCW, Vince said it was because of Austin and then eventually Vince and Steve’s feud drove them to beat WCW in ratings.

 

[SWL]

That is very debatable. Most fans hated the Rock as Rocky Maivia and WWE was already on the verge of going under. It was due to Vince's role as villain after the screwjob and Austin's defiance of him that got people to switch back from WCW to check out what was going on in WWF. They weren't tuning in because of Rocky. Rock didn't even start getting over until mid to late 1998. They wouldn't have been able to capitalize on Vince's heat from the screwjob by opposing him with the Rock, since people hated him just as much.

It's arguable the Rock might have caught on without Austin there. However, it's arguable that the WWF wouldn't have survived long enough to make this happen. The word was that Vince put everything on the line getting Mike Tyson to appear at WrestleMania 14 and should the PPV have failed, then he wouldn't be able to keep up with payroll. The Rock wouldn't have been able to main event Mania over Austin because everyone still hated him.

So it could be argued quite competently that Rock would have never had a chance to be the main attitude era guy if Austin wasn't bringing in the money that kept the WWF afloat while he was getting over.

if course it's debatable, we all don't know what would have happened if there was no Stone Cold, and I'm not shitting on Stone Cold by any means. He was amazing but the point I was trying to make was that you couldn't replace Hulk if he would have decided to leave at his peak. If Stone Cold would have left, they would have still had people to fall back on, like Taker for example or the up-and coming Rock. Bret and Shawn were still around too. The golden era was almost like a one-man-show when it came to drawing people in and that one person was Hulk Hogan. Whereas the attitude era was more like a team afford. I feel like there were more pieces to the puzzle

Besides, if the first few Manias wouldn't have succeeded, there wouldn't be anything for Stone Cold to save in the first place. And obviously Hulk Hogan was the main key to that.