Hulk Hogan never worked with Ric Flair on a WrestleMania card, and he recently spoke with Sports Illustrated to comment on the Hogan vs. Flair match that almost happened at WrestleMania 8 but didn’t.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On wanting to work with Ric Flair: “I wanted to work with Ric. There’s no doubt he was one of the greatest ever. Earlier in my career, I wanted to work with Piper and Orndorff. Later on, I loved working with Chris Jericho. He was just amazing. I wrestled a match with Randy Orton, and I loved that. I always loved wrestling, and I liked the challenge of working with different guys. I loved wrestling The Rock. If you’re going to create magic, there is a formula, a feel, a timing, and a placement. That’s the ‘It Factor’–you need to be able to see it and feel it.”
On getting reactions from the crowd: “I know I wrestled a lot of giants, and I enjoyed that too, but I also knew I didn’t need to get squashed by Earthquake to make the crowd respond. If Piper brought me down to one knee in the sleeper, we could make the place rumble. Nowadays, you see that in Roman’s matches. You see it with Randy Orton, too. There’s a feel for the crowd, and they have it. I think me and Ric would have had it there, too.”
On never really facing Flair in WWE: “We never really had the chance to run wild together in WWF. That gave us a chance for it to happen in WCW. That was round two for us. People wanted to see it, and you’ve got to give the people what they want to see.”
Hulk Hogan Reflects on the WrestleMania Match That Never Happened with Ric Flair
Hulk Hogan, one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling history, recently opened up about a dream match that never materialized. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Hogan discussed his desire to work with the legendary Ric Flair on a WrestleMania card. Although the match was planned for WrestleMania 8, circumstances prevented it from happening. Let’s delve into Hogan’s thoughts on this missed opportunity and his admiration for Flair’s talent.
Hogan expressed his admiration for Flair’s skills, acknowledging him as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. He revealed that earlier in his career, he had wanted to work with other notable names like Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. Later on, Hogan enjoyed the challenge of facing different opponents, including Chris Jericho and Randy Orton. He even mentioned his memorable match with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, emphasizing the importance of creating magic in the ring.
The key to creating that magic, according to Hogan, lies in the “It Factor.” This intangible quality involves a combination of timing, placement, and a deep understanding of the crowd’s reactions. Hogan believed that he and Flair possessed this “It Factor” and could have delivered an unforgettable performance at WrestleMania 8.
Hogan also highlighted the importance of eliciting reactions from the crowd. While he enjoyed wrestling against larger opponents, such as Earthquake, Hogan knew that he didn’t need to be physically dominated to generate a response from the audience. He cited his matches with Piper as an example, where even a simple maneuver like Piper’s sleeper hold could make the crowd erupt. Hogan drew parallels between his experiences and the current generation of wrestlers like Roman Reigns and Randy Orton, who possess a similar ability to connect with the audience.
Reflecting on his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Hogan expressed regret that he and Flair never had the opportunity to “run wild together” in the promotion. However, fate provided them with a chance to finally face off in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where they engaged in a highly anticipated showdown. Hogan recognized the fans’ desire to witness this clash of titans and believed in the importance of giving the people what they want.
Although Hogan and Flair never shared the stage at WrestleMania, their legacies remain intertwined. Both wrestlers have left an indelible mark on the industry, captivating audiences with their charisma and in-ring abilities. While their paths may not have crossed in the grandest stage of them all, their encounters in other promotions continue to be celebrated by fans worldwide.
In conclusion, Hulk Hogan’s recent interview shed light on a missed opportunity to witness a dream match between him and Ric Flair at WrestleMania. Despite this disappointment, Hogan expressed his admiration for Flair’s talent and his belief that they could have created magic together in the ring. While their paths diverged in the WWF, they eventually faced off in WCW, giving fans a taste of what could have been. The legacy of Hogan and Flair remains intertwined, forever etching their names in the annals of professional wrestling history.