On a recent edition of his “The ARN Show” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson recalled the epic feud between Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair in WCW.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan in a career vs. career steel cage match at WCW Halloween Havoc 1994 just months into Hogan’s tenure: “Well, once you hotshot something — I mean, careers are on the line already. [Hogan’s] just settled in. You know, he’s just settling in. It’s hard to double back now, ‘Okay, a month later, let’s have a wrestling match.’ Well, the stipulation is somebody wins and somebody loses, and momentum is what you gain from that. But once you skip ahead to hotshotting, man it’s hard to double back.”
On if the match needed to be career vs. career: “Yeah, why is it just one guy’s career? I mean, just you saying that makes it feel better. ‘One of us has got to go.’ You know, it feels like to me if that stipulation only applies to one person, then you’re going to do an end-around swerve job somehow to get out of it, right?“
On WCW being the one to bring Flair back: “They called him to come back, he didn’t worry them to death to bring him back. They started figuring out he’s — even though he lost the match, he’s still worth a lot more on the card than 90% of the guys that you had under contract.”
On when Flair should’ve retired: “Oh God, I can’t make that call. Because that’s a decision that we all have to make. What’s going on in our real life, or what’s what you don’t see? What are the issues that — you know, whether it’s injuries or burnout or any number of things you could throw out there. You just had enough, whatever.
“I can’t make that decision, only he can make that decision. Well, I just think that you know, once — for me? Once I knew that I was permanently injured, not just hurt for a period of time? And that was it. When a doctor says, ‘You want to walk, or you want to be in a wheelchair?’ You want to sit, that’s your options. But you’re wrestling.’ So that made it pretty easy for me. And I was 37 years old, so — well, I had a 15-year career.”
The Epic Feud Between Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair in WCW
In the world of professional wrestling, few rivalries have captured the imagination of fans quite like the feud between Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. These two iconic figures in the industry clashed in a series of memorable matches, but one particular showdown stands out – their career vs. career steel cage match at WCW Halloween Havoc 1994.
On a recent episode of his podcast, “The ARN Show,” WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson reflected on this epic feud and shared his insights into the match that pitted two legends against each other.
Anderson acknowledged that the decision to have such a high-stakes match early in Hogan’s tenure with WCW was a risky move. Hogan had just settled into his new role, and hotshotting a career vs. career match so soon made it difficult to backtrack. The momentum gained or lost from such a match would have a significant impact on both wrestlers’ careers.
One question that arises is whether the match needed to be career vs. career for both competitors. Anderson suggests that having both Hogan and Flair put their careers on the line would have added an extra layer of intensity and drama. When only one person’s career is at stake, it often leads to a swerve or a way out of the stipulation, diluting the impact of the match.
Interestingly, Anderson also highlighted WCW’s role in bringing Flair back. Despite losing the match, Flair’s value to the company was undeniable. WCW recognized that even in defeat, Flair was worth more than 90% of the wrestlers on their roster. This decision showcased the long-term thinking and strategic planning that went into managing talent in WCW.
The topic of retirement also came up during the podcast discussion. Anderson emphasized that the decision to retire ultimately lies with the individual wrestler. Factors such as injuries, burnout, or personal circumstances play a significant role in determining when it’s time to hang up the boots. Anderson shared his own experience of retiring due to a permanent injury, which made the decision relatively straightforward for him.
The feud between Hogan and Flair was undoubtedly one for the ages. It showcased the immense talent and charisma of both wrestlers and captivated audiences around the world. While their career vs. career steel cage match at WCW Halloween Havoc 1994 may have had its flaws, it remains a memorable moment in wrestling history.
To relive some of the highlights and insights from Arn Anderson’s podcast, you can check out the embedded video above. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings of the wrestling industry and sheds light on the legendary feud between Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.