When someone says Wrestlemania who do you think of? There are certainly some names that come to mind: Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Howard Finkel (He did come up with the name for the event after all) But there’s one name that is synonymous with Wrestlemania, and with modern pro wrestling. Whether you are a diehard fan, a casual viewer or someone who doesn’t watch wrestling at all, chances are you know his name: Hulk Hogan.
Hulk Hogan Returns for Wrestlemania XXX
Hulkamania will run wild in WWE once again as Hogan will make his return to the company on Monday Night Raw the night after WWE Elimination Chamber, February 24. That’s only the beginning however, as the bigger news is that Hulk Hogan will be the host of Wrestlemania XXX on April 6 in New Orleans.
My initial reaction to this was kind of lukewarm, not because of Hogan himself but rather the word “host”. I am in the minority of those who didn’t care much for The Rock’s stint in hosting “the show of shows”. I get that it did big business and Rocky’s name brought a lot of people back to WWE but the hosting thing just seemed unnecessary and felt a little bit forced. However, that doesn’t feel like the case this time around. Having Hogan come back to host Wrestlemania XXX makes a lot of sense.
Much like Dwayne Johnson, the Hulkster’s name can bring some attention and familiarity to WWE, possibly getting some fans back into the product who maybe haven’t watched in several years. While some may argue that Johnson’s is more of a current household name, you can’t deny that wrestling and non-wrestling fans alike recognize the name Hulk Hogan. He may be known more for reality television nowadays more so than any movies he’s made, but it doesn’t change the fact that he is one of, if not the most well known wrestler of all time. The question is, what will his role as “host” include?
The Rock’s role as host included meddling in the main event, even delivering a Rock Bottom to Cena, which of course led to the two wrestling at both Wrestlemania XXVIII and Wrestlemania XXVIV respectively. But that’s The Rock, who is in his early 40s. Hogan is in his 60s and you need not look any further than his match against Sting at TNA’s Bound For Glory from 2011 to see that he can’t move too fast or bump much any more. While fans will most likely chant for “one more match” I fear that ship has sailed, especially since Hogan failed a WWE physical in every way.
The question is, what can Hogan do as a host to make things interesting? Talking with fellow LWOS wrestling writer @AdamContant he suggested Hulk giving the Usos a pep talk before their match which gives them the drive to win the tag team titles. Or possibly running into the Hall of Fame class backstage and having a brief face to face with Warrior before shaking hands. Those are just two examples of the kind of things Hogan could do as a host that would be fun to see, yet don’t involve him taking bumps or over exerting himself. The truth is, with a legend like Hulk Hogan the options for entertaining content are endless because he is a name that has transcended the last 29 years.
There’s something magical about having Hogan’s name attached to this year’s Wrestlemania, 30 years after the iconic show was launched, making Hulk Hogan and then WWF household names. Even though I’m not a huge fan of having a “host” for Wrestlemania, there’s something about having that host be Hulk Hogan that just seems like a perfect fit.
Image Courtesy of Getty Images
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @DeHaanoffate. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Interested in writing for LWOS? We are looking for enthusiastic, talented writers to join our wrestling writing team. Visit our “Write for Us” page for very easy details in how you can get started today!
