On a recent edition of his “The ARN Show” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson discussed his initial impression of Hulk Hogan, The Hulkster’s arrival to WCW in 1994, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Hogan looking different when he joined WCW: “Well, now you’re talking about it as a fan. Not as a co-host of, where we’re looking at the inside stuff. You’re looking at this as a fan. Necause you have to look at it differently, you know what I mean? He was not the 300-pound Hulk Hogan. He was not the guy that you saw in the Rocky movie. And sometimes when you’re so, I guess — you know, the thing with Vince was, all of his guys were superheroes, you know? And when your body changes drastically like that, you’re not a superhero anymore. You’re still Hulk Hogan, but you’re not this 300-pound guy who just steamrolled every monster heel that you had, because that was the way the structure was. You would bring a heel in, a monster, a One Man Gang, whoever it was, these monster heels. And Hogan would get rid of them, squash them, and dream ’em, they were done. Walking in the door 40 pounds lighter, or 50 pounds lighter; I don’t know what it was. Even though he’s still in shape, still tanned, still had all the charisma and he’s still Hulk Hogan, somewhere in the back of your mind, you gotta be going, ‘What’s different?’”
On whether Hogan coming in derailed Dustin Rhodes’ push to potentially become a World Champion: “Well, I just think it tipped the structure of the business and where they were heading. Dustin was a guy who was very easily built, because he was talented. But now you stack that up against, ‘Okay, Hulk Hogan’s coming in.’ You had to go, ‘Well, wait a minute. I thought they were going to the youth movement.’ Just like Vince was doing; new guys, new champions, you know. And all of a sudden, ennh. So I don’t know, I was just kind of laying in the weeds and watching things develop.”
On his first impression of Hogan: “He was treated like a megastar with Vince. He had his own locker room, he didn’t just dress with the boys or walk around and all that. His whole — everything about him, he was treated like Elvis. And he should have. He should have been. You know, at that point where our business was concerned he was — you know, this was pre-Rock, pre-Austin, those guys. He was the biggest star in the business and he was treated that way.”
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Hulk Hogan’s Arrival in WCW: A Fan’s Perspective
In 1994, the wrestling world was abuzz with the news of Hulk Hogan’s arrival in WCW (World Championship Wrestling). Hogan, who had been the face of the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) for over a decade, made a surprising move to WCW, and fans were eager to see what impact this would have on the wrestling landscape.
One of the first things fans noticed about Hogan’s arrival was his physical appearance. Gone was the 300-pound behemoth that fans had come to know and love. Instead, Hogan appeared noticeably smaller and leaner. This change in physique was a departure from the larger-than-life superheroes that Vince McMahon, the owner of WWF, had cultivated in his promotion.
Arn Anderson, a WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of “The ARN Show” podcast, discussed this aspect of Hogan’s arrival. He pointed out that Hogan’s body transformation affected the perception of his character. While Hogan still possessed his trademark charisma and star power, his reduced size made fans question whether he could still be the unstoppable force he once was.
Another point of discussion surrounding Hogan’s arrival was its impact on other wrestlers, particularly Dustin Rhodes. Rhodes, a talented performer who had been on the cusp of a major push to potentially become a World Champion, suddenly found himself overshadowed by Hogan’s arrival. The structure of the business shifted, and plans for a youth movement and new champions were put on hold.
Anderson acknowledged that Hogan’s status as a megastar in the wrestling industry was well-deserved. He was treated like royalty in WWF, with his own locker room and special treatment. Hogan’s star power was unparalleled at the time, and his move to WCW only solidified his status as the biggest star in the business.
While some fans may have questioned the decision to bring in Hogan and the impact it had on other wrestlers, there is no denying the lasting impact he had on WCW. Hogan’s presence brought mainstream attention to the promotion and helped propel it to new heights in terms of popularity and success.
In conclusion, Hulk Hogan’s arrival in WCW in 1994 was a significant moment in wrestling history. His physical transformation and the subsequent shift in the promotion’s direction sparked discussions among fans and industry insiders alike. Regardless of any controversy surrounding his arrival, Hogan’s star power and undeniable impact on the wrestling industry cannot be denied.