ICON vs ICON - The Story of Hulk Hogan vs The Rock

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At WrestleMania X8, wrestling's past met wrestling's future as Hollywood Hulk Hogan faced The Rock in a match billed as "Icon vs Icon".
After Hulk Hogan had left the WWF back in 1993, it was hard to imagine Hulkamania running wild ever again in a World Wrestling Federation ring. After the WCW purchase, Hulk Hogan decided to sit out his contract and collect a paycheck. Towards the end of 2002, the WWF locker room were asked how they felt about Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall making a WWE comeback... many people didn't want them around. Someone who did want the nWo back in the WWF however was The Rock, he immediately saw the potential in a Rock vs Hulk Hogan match at WrestleMania.
The Rock and Hulk Hogan would go on to have a memorable showdown at WrestleMania 18 that featured one of the loudest crowd reactions in WWF history. This video looks at the WrestleMania X8 Icon vs Icon match along with the WWF return of Hulk Hogan and the New World Order.
Topics covered include:
00:00 - Discussions take place regarding the return of Hall, Nash and Hogan
02:48 - The Rock shows interest in a Hogan WrestleMania match
05:12 - The nWo debut at No Way Out 2002
07:42 - The Rock challenges Hulk Hogan to a match at WrestleMania X8
11:15 - The buildup to WrestleMania X8
16:04 - The Toronto Skydome
21:00 - Icon vs Icon
- Much More!
#WWE #Documentary #nWo

[@ericseitzler81]

My dad was dying when we watched this match live it was the last time I saw him truly happy.he died a few months later and I will always owe rock and Hogan for that memory.thank you guys so much!

[@joshtassie9478]

That's crazy you said that! This is the last match I watched with my father also and he was beyond happy.... growing up i.was the biggest hogan fan being born in 83 and watching everything hogan cause my dad lived for hulk..... I never gave up being a hulk fan no matter what! My pops passed in 09 and all I think about to this day was the Monday night wars and my pops only watching wcw cause of hulk.....

[@ericseitzler81]

@@joshtassie9478 yea the only time me and him hungou at all was watching wrestling together and I think he did it just to bond with me but he ended up loving it,taker was his boy but I still remember him laughing like crazy during the Hogan rock match bc he couldn't get over how insane that crowd was during that match.i never saw him smile or laugh like that again and he died that following september.i will always owe both of those men a debt that I could never pay.

[@Foo-oo-oo-oolsGold89]

So sorry for your loss. And thanks for sharing your story.

[@ericseitzler81]

@@Foo-oo-oo-oolsGold89 I appreciate that.

[@djd3567]

The internet needs more interactions like this. I'll remeber this comment and thread the next time I watch this match.

[@supmyd00d]

The Rock is such a forgiving man. He brushed off that attempted vehicular homicide like a true gentleman...

[@at0micwerew0lf]

"It doesn't matter if you try and murder The Great One."

[@rayzaramon6598]

😂

[@calnebraska2480]

@@at0micwerew0lf Lou thesz was the great one

[@victorieux9580]

@@calnebraska2480 nope

[@sithvsjedi9696]

The Rock only cares if you know your damn role! 😃🙏❤️👍

[@MoralMonster]

I was at wrestlemania 18 and it was insanely loud for the rock and hulk. Chants for both men were back and forth, but ultimately there was way more hulk fans there. Hulk and the Rock knew how to play the crowd. I'm always so proud to say I was at this Wrestlemania.

[@robertdavid22]

totally agree. I was there too and it was a huge Hogan crowd. I still have the chair! ;)

[@harshckuk]

Crowd reaction took the match to complete new level

[@kevinpayton2664]

The crowd was unlike any other that I've seen. Any move that Hogan made, the crowd erupted. When he hulked up, the crowd got even louder.

[@rayb.1180]

Kevin Payton to be honest... I was with The Rock for the whole build up to Wrestle mania,about 5mins into the match,I couldn’t resist how iconic hogan was... he’s the man that started it all... but rock & hogan are both on my Mount Rushmore

[@justafanofnerdculture7602]

Agreed

[@jchifos]

Please did you hear slapjack vs Xavier woods reaction all I heard was fight forever

[@GHOST91141]

I still get chills every time hearing the crowd react when Rock and Hogan was face-to-face in the ring witnessing something that big was a great wrestling memory

[@christophershayler6474]

Totally agree. This match is what wrestling is about. It was fantastic, had everything and not many bouts have come close to matching this recently and probably never will

[@gabrielledormuth4634]

The cheers for both guys and the Rock and Hogan lookin around at the fans knew that this match was gonna be historic It was a shame that it was more talked about than the title match between Y2J and HHH

[@joshuachristian5443]

Yes, as do I. Nothing else from wrestling has done that to me before.

[@BaronVonBielski]

I agree. The crowd actually help this match and it's flow. It just makes it a better match.

[@dr.loomis4221]

Oh you do? You get chills? You really enjoyed it? You think it's a great wrestling memory?

[@amtownsyou]

I'm just gonna be straight up with yall, when he hulked up I literally cried

[@rightyleftable]

The chills...

[@charliebowen5071]

93 til infinity510 I suggest you see a psychiatrist... unless you’re 8 then it’s fine

[@dreday5880]

@@charliebowen5071 Maybe he was 8 back then. It was 18 years ago.

[@Listlesseye]

@@charliebowen5071 some people get emotional easily, no cause for concern.

[@al5306]

@@charliebowen5071 It's okay to have feelings, bud. Some people get reminded of their childhood when they see Hulk Hogan. So cool it.

[@bucksky619]

I never once wished that it was Austin instead of The Rock and I don't believe Austin/Hogan could have lived up to Rock/Hogan.

[@IkzI-ky5jy]

amen

[@jabroni_z2686]

Thank you! 👏🏾

[@disintegrateallhumans4800]

Really? Hogan had a great match with the Rock. Why wouldn’t he be able to do the same with Steve Austin? It should have been Hulk Hogan VS Steve Austin at Wreslemania 18 & Hulk Hogan VS The Rock at Wreslemania 19. & Steve Austin VS Goldberg at Wreslemania 19.

[@futuregohan4837]

@@disintegrateallhumans4800 Undertaker Vs. Hulk Hogan WrestleMania 18 Would've Been Far Better Undertaker Can Get His This Tuesday In Texas 1991 Loss Back

[@theghostofthomasjenkins9643]

rock and hogan makes more sense considering their career paths. it really was the past and the future.

[@MaxB1080]

When i was younger, this match was like Jordan vs Kobe

[@kennywarren8150]

It still is lol

[@victorieux9580]

@ima badman ya moms

[@amesholmes5592]

Exactly

[@Jason_Fairtex]

More like helicopter vs Kobe

[@DanielPelis]

I mean ya. Still is in a way honestly.

[@gt0783]

The absolute GOAT crowd. They helped make this match a all timer. I can’t imagine a crowd taking over and dictating a match again like this. It really hasn’t happened in the 20 years since (how the hell has it been 20 years already!?!?) and I doubt it will happen in the next 20 years. Thank you to all who were there to make this a moment to never forget.

[@trevordavis5053]

I didn't realize how similar Rock and Hogan were until I saw this match. Yes, they're very different, but they seem to use the same formula. Both guys did all the big spots they were known for and we saw the face and heel sides of both characters. It's very hard to imagine Austin shaking hands with Hogan after the match... Unless he followed it up with a Stone Cold Stunner, of course. That would have been great, but the way Rock vs. Hogan went down, it was like both men went over.

[@stonecold316339]

I agree. In my opinion Austin was the face of the Attitude era but The Rock was a perfect pick to go against Hogan. Now Austin feuding with DDP before WWE ruined him with stalking the Undertaker's wife would have been amazing imo. Man I miss being a kid sometimes lol

[@trevordavis5053]

@@stonecold316339 I was about 25 at that time. I was pretty ticked off that they booed the Rock. But, I have a more historical perspective on it now. I have to admit that SCSA always had a slight edge on the Rock. It's like they were the twin towers, but Austin had that spire that always made him a little more popular than the Rock. How lucky was Vince to have them both at the same time? I watched Hogan as a kid, but was never quite a Hulkamaniac. There's no denying his accomplishments, though.

[@stonecold316339]

@@trevordavis5053: Don't get me wrong I absolutely love The Rock! I was actually in attendance when he made one of his returns in May of 04 in San Diego when he helped Eugene and called coach a "Popcorn fart" lol. I lived through the golden era, the Attitude era and I could tell u WITHOUT QUESTION that The Rock started to rival Austin in popularity and one could even make a strong argument that he was the man in late 99 but with that same token I feel one could make that same argument for Austin once he returned late 2000. Like u said we were lucky to have both Austin/Rock at the SAME TIME!

[@42BigNate]

They are both supreme entertainers, that's what most people don't get. You know who does; Vince McMahon. That's why he coined the business; sports entertainment. That's also why most of his competitors are out business they didn't get it. Vince built a production company called Titian Sports. Today it's called the WWE Network, amazing!

[@chadwillett619]

@@42BigNate Yeah Vince sure was amazing, how did he find time to put it all together and still manage to be a sexual predator?

[@daidavies90]

It's hilarious that back then they took note of the crowd reaction and basically saw that they had no choice but to turn Hogan face, yet now when the likes of Cena and Reigns get booed they just ignore it and act like nothings happened

[@JonCombo]

They still had Rock and Austin on the roster though.

[@Xehanort10]

If it happened now they'd have kept going with the NWO Hollywood Hogan heel gimmick regardless.

[@samsager7106]

Turning someone heel is a lot different than turning them face. People like reigns and cena might get bood but they still seek a ton of merchandise which is why they remain in the position they are in even though reigns is killing it as a heel and I truly feel when he does turn face again this time he might finally get cheered

[@Midge-xn9tp]

Hogan was always in a different league to any of these, people hate to admit it, but no one before or since has ever had the drawing power that Hulk had, he will forever be the best of all time, only Undertaker really comes close as far as drawing ability goes

[@billblaski9523]

@@Midge-xn9tp well said. Hogan was on the man for like 10, 15 years? As popular as Rock and Austin were, they were on top for only like 3, 4 years before they left?

[@tylerboliver3428]

Hogan Hulking up for those few seconds was like my childhood coming back all at once for just a few moments. I’ve never felt anything like that, and I doubt I will ever again.

[@yousafihsan167]

Man the rock was so charismatic both in ring and on the mic

[@fc775]

rock is the goat

[@TonyG8992]

JR: Certainly a mixed reaction crowd here Crowd: GOING APESHIT FOR EVERYTHING HOGAN DID.

[@LEBUMCHOKEDIN6FINALS]

Hulk Hogan sucks

[@calnebraska2480]

Rock sucks

[@jasonswift1608]

Course that was going to happen a few small yrs before they were saying die rocky die Hogan wouldn't of got that pop if he was in there with Austin he would of got a pop alright but not like he did with the rock

[@c.l.freeman7654]

@@jasonswift1608 yeah I think you are dead wrong about that. It didn't matter who was in the ring, Hogan would have owned it. Austin was smart enough to know it and bowed out

[@jasonswift1608]

@@c.l.freeman7654 Austin was hurt he got the biggest pops ever none of the fans Austin got the biggest pops ever he out sold Hogan he was a god to them fans I no Hogan was 2 I'm a hbk fan I don't like Hogan he can't wrestle he can get the fans he NOS how to work a areana but I'm a hbk fan Austin would of got a better pop I'd think the fans love him Hogan can't really work and hbk showed him up in summer slam jumping ard like a flapping fish but my point is if Austin took that match there wouldn't of been a great pop 4 Hogan I don't think

[@timothyfarr2479]

I was 14 years-old, watching it live. It was history. It is everything a wrestling match should be. After this night, neither man had anything left to prove. They were now both legends.

[@fc775]

They legends in 02 too

[@Jimmy_Hopkins15]

I was 12 man watched the match live on Ppv It was so fkn epic man looking back we were spoiled back then

[@fatxbull6259]

They was legends well before this

[@robertlocke5704]

I was 12 too. I had to sneak it on the TV. Being in the UK it was on at 1am, so I had to be stealthy, if anyone woke up I'd of b en screwed. So the volume was low. First ppv I watched live, what a treat. I had willy Wonka's ice lollies and marshmallow sweets that night haha.

[@thejesman]

I watched this on TV in my living room, and I felt like I was right there in the audience. I never heard a crowd react to a match like that in my life.

[@jamievickers9004]

I was there! The intensity in the Dome was insane! I'll never forget that feeling

[@A-1NE__EyeSpitHipHopHerion]

WWF was really good back in 2002 but imagine if they would've found a way to bring in the Great Randy Savage at this time my God it would've been ground breaking!!!

[@billblaski9523]

Lol it was always strange that Vince never brought Savage back, considering all the other people like Hogan and Ultimate Warrior that Vince brought back despite their differences

[@danlc95]

A missed opportunity...

[@itsmezed]

I remember watching this match with a buddy of mine. As we watched the crowd turn on The Rock -- the hottest wrestler in the business at the time -- and start chanting Hogan's name, he turned to me and said. "That's why he is Hulk Hogan and everyone else is *not*."

[@Kesyabasturd]

I remember watching that match, it sent chills down my spine and the crowd was amazing.

[@mrblonde609]

The skill and effort in making these musical remixes at the beginning is just on another level. Wresling Bios music doesn't get enough credit!

[@jbatsnake9441]

Absolutely right

[@taiwanjon2583]

I was there in the crowd for both WrestleMania 6 and 18. For 18 our seats were on the floor, maybe 20 rows back. I've never experienced anything like that before. The energy in the building, the passion from the fans, it was just off the hook. At Wrestlemania 6 the fans were pretty split between Hogan and Warrior but at 18 it was all Hulk. I think at the end of the match we all cheered just because we all knew we had just seen an epic moment in wrestling history. Both guys put on a great show and both guys had earned their applause. I've watched the match on TV a few times since and it always brings back that epic feeling.

[@HoKogan007]

I watch this match at least 3 times a year whenever I'm bored or want to show non-wrestling fans a great spectacle. Two household names in one match, unbelievable

[@anegg1369]

Hulk hogan, John Cena and the rock are household wrestling names.

[@carter3369]

@@anegg1369 Hogan and Rock are legends. John Cena sucks.

[@MoojinBoi]

​@@carter3369lmao objectively wrong

[@SKMCTV]

I was in college drinking beers with my friends watching the WM match. When he Hulked up we all felt like 8 year olds again.

[@justafanofnerdculture7602]

Correct!! I felt like a lil' Hulkamaniac all over again watching this match live. In fact, I feel like that whenever I watch this match.

[@raypratt3611]

@@justafanofnerdculture7602 agreed my man,HULKAMANIA will live forever with me,big part of my childhood!!

[@justafanofnerdculture7602]

@@raypratt3611 Same here, man! Hulkamania was a major, major part of my childhood.

[@Ricardo_Muna_Singh_716]

The crowd reaction and the way The Rock and Hogan played off of it, alone, makes this one of the greatest matches of all time.

[@martinrubio6357]

The rock vs hogan was a DREAM match

[@JustinCaudill14]

If only we could have got Hogan V. Austin too!! Would have made the attitude era complete!!

[@jackbroughton1431]

I would have loved to have seen Steve Austin and Hogan go at it, for it would have been a match between the two top stars of their respective generations, the Attitude Era of the late 90s versus the literal Hogan era of the 80s. By 2002 however, The Rock was the bigger star and in the grand scheme of things, Rock like Hogan, is probably the first name most people think of when talking about professional wrestlers, while having no interest or knowledge of wrestling. The Rock is definitely more well known globally than Steve Austin, and it really paid off in the long run, because this was before the Rock became a mega star at the box office. I think the Rock was the better choice in the end.

[@Bsfnelz20]

True but i believe this was stone cold Steve Austin way to tell Hogan if i wasn't good enough back then for a match you don't deserve one now Steve didn't need Hogan i think Hogan needed Steve more in my opinion

[@jackbroughton1431]

Nelson Ortiz totally agree and I can’t blame Austin, but I can see the argument of putting the business before yourself and entertaining the fans. I don’t blame Austin though, Hogan is a snake.

[@wrestlingwithart]

When Hogan is 90 he's still gonna demand to go over guy's 60 years younger than him.

[@ivanjimenez8868]

After 98 The Rock was a bigger draw than Austin. Don’t forget The Rock was also a big draw in 98, but was a clear #1 by mid 99.

[@ivanjimenez8868]

@@jackbroughton1431 I don’t believe Austin was ever considered to be the #1 opponent to Hogan. Austin was butt hurt that he didn’t get the match with Hogan, why else would he take his ball and go home a few months after this?..unless you believe Austin turned down a match against Hogan to then walk out on the company over creative differences? Doesn’t make much sense does it.

[@JBalderas1990]

The Rock and Hogan crossed over into different mediums of entertainment...stone cold mainly stayed in wrestling. This was a perfectly titled and well executed match.

[@chperezjr]

Hulk Hogan came in awesome physical shape in 2002, you don't see this type of psychology in wrestling anymore. Is one of my favorite WrestleMania matches ever, the way they changed places face/heel basically improvising is second to none. Totally awesome.

[@trueSconox]

hogan vs rock is the greatest mania match so far. even without hogan wrestling, the crowd made that special.

[@andreasmoog9561]

And that's the problem with the current wwe program! The crowd is missing!

[@CryingLord]

Andreas Moog it’s sad the crowd was missing before Covid

[@Dreaklock]

This is back when wrestling was still good, and you still had legit stars performing.

[@ronin7997]

Hogan vs Rock is the greatest example of HYPE in the WWE. The energy was phenomenal, I've never witnessed its equal afterwards in wrestling.

[@evacody1249]

I sometimes wonder if the Hulk vs Rock match should not have been the last match. Because after this by the time they get to Triple H vs Y2J a lot of the energy was gone.

[@joelramirez2265]

Should have been Austin vs Hogan

[@MaximusJohal]

I loved this, this was like oldskool wrestling when people felt part of it, unlike nowadays where the story line is short and forgotten about after the match.

[@gsignaturemessage]

And when the storyline is longer people complain lol

[@CLewey44]

The pop Hogan he got when he started hulking up was probably the best pop I've ever heard. It was this weird long sort of double pop mixed with pure hysteria as if something was almost wrong.

[@petenojd]

Neither The Rock or Hogan were ever my favourite, but if you're ever going to have an "Icon vs. Icon" match it just has to be these two. I don't think it was pretentious at all (no disrespect to Stone Cold or anyone else). I think you hit the nail on the head in your analysis of the match itself. It was epic, and the way they went with the flow of the Toronto crowd was just perfect. Great match, great video.

[@Thebossstage1]

5:48 "Hulk Hogan we're coming for you..."

[@depression8841]

The "Hogan's turn to take a whipping" was so damn funny

[@FuckYoutubeCensorship]

I can't believe anyone could dislike anything you put out.

[@FuckYoutubeCensorship]

@@jrsmith1998 *CALLS SOMEONE AN IDIOT; MISPELLS THE WORD "YOU"*

[@taylormademyself89]

The rock is only man to beat hogan , Austin, and Cena at mania thats a amazing fact to think about lol

[@JK-hu4lu]

Such a good fact. Makes up for the fact he never won the title at mania!

[@jabroni_z2686]

J K I always was disappointed that he never won it at WM. He lost it at 15,17 and 29 but the fact that he beat all 3 at WM is like a championship.

[@JK-hu4lu]

@@jabroni_z2686 same. That backlash 2000 main event would have been perfect if it was the WM main event, still my favourite match to this day.

[@mickeyj6055]

J K most definitely does but imagine if they managed to promo that 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[@mpandetheroot9619]

@@mickeyj6055 they need to build that up for next year`s wm against roman reigns

[@Jorge-tb3zd]

Despite being booked as the top babyface, Hogan was the perfect face/heel combination through most of his career.

[@jchifos]

Like t bar right

[@jeffdew7110]

This was one of my favorite episodes! As a lil Hulkster from back in the day; I was happy to see how well Hogan and the Rock worked together.

[@user-yv4mm6bx3c]

I loved this match. My favorite wrestler from my childhood vs my favorite wrestler my teenage years. I didn't know who to cheer for. I just didn't want it to end.

[@thumper3662]

That hulk up was everything. I still got chills just from mentioning it now

[@andrewmelville4570]

Hogan vs The Rock had a fantastic atmosphere, still brings chills. This is from someone who never liked Hogan

[@anomola4014]

Me too

[@billblaski9523]

Lol how could u not like Hogan!? What has he done that could possibly cause you to not like him??

[@onesaucynougat7471]

@@billblaski9523 I mean it’s pretty obvious that hulk has done a ton of things that make him unlikeable. Hell even most people in the roster today don’t like him.

[@GoodOlRoll]

@@billblaski9523 the attempted burials of Rock and Undertaker for one.

[@TruthSeeker-uo5uf]

I can't believe that this was 18 years ago. I was 15 watching this with my friends. Where has time gone?

[@Eric-wu7bp]

This was truly the Muhammad Ali vs Mike Tyson of Wrestling back then

[@willisapril]

more like a prime Tyson vs an old Ali

[@jchifos]

More like t bar vs Xavier woods of today

[@joelramirez2265]

Should have been Austin vs Hogan

[@fabio0352]

Austin vs Hogan would have been bigger if the match took place in 1998-99. In 2002 Rock was already on the same level of austin, maybe even higher. We'll never know how austin vs hogan would have been, but what we know is Rock vs Hogan was just perfect, the pinnacle of wrestling

[@HhhHhhh-nu4lm]

steve was kind of pushed down the card his heel turn fizzled . steve vs hogan would been both their comeback . if steve accepted that match i would have done face kane vs heel undertaker and angle vs rock .

[@topdawg2916]

@@HhhHhhh-nu4lm nah rock vs hogan was the better option over hogan vs austin in 2002 by 2002 the rock dethroend stone cold as the top guy and top draw of wwe they should of had stone cold face ric flair or bring macho man in to face stone cold

[@HhhHhhh-nu4lm]

@@topdawg2916 heel undertaker vs face stone cold would been better or heel Kurt would been better .

[@topdawg2916]

@@HhhHhhh-nu4lm I agree but if macho man came back in 2002 then stone cold vs macho man would of been better with rock vs hogan imagine rock vs hogan and macho man vs stone cold both at wm 18

[@HhhHhhh-nu4lm]

@@topdawg2916 macho vs Stone cold did happen. Macho body was breaking down by 2002 .hence barely wrestling in that tag match in TNA. Stone cold body breaking down by 2002 as well . So a ring match between stone cold vs macho or stone cold vs hogan wouldn't been very good

[@joejupiter4138]

This is a beautiful look back at one of the greatest moments of the Attitude Era and wrestling history. Great job, brother.

[@tythegolfer6279]

Remember watching it live with Domino's pizza and loving every second of it

[@chadwillett619]

Tell the truth Ty, you're not even a wrestling fan are you? You work for Dominos Pizza as a human commercial, paid to inject the brand name in as many situations as possible.

[@michael.tmclean2095]

I remember that animosity within the wwe after these three coming back

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

Not to toot my own horn, but THE SECOND Vince McMahon turned that chair around and it said "nWo" I yelled, "HOGAN AND THE ROCK IS GONNA HAPPEN!" I had been calling for this match from the moment WCW closed down. Even more, I used to say they'd book it as 'old lion vs young lion' and when Jerry Lawler referenced that at WM 18, I marked out SO HARD. This was the one match that was obvious that the WWF didn't screw up. To me, Hogan vs The Rock was the pinnacle of 'sports entertainment' storytelling. Both are better workers than they got credit for, but the WWF has a specific style. And how they manipulated that audience (and to be fair, Toronto doesn't require TOO MUCH)...the pops for Hogan, I still go and watch the beginning of the match just to see that. People will never care about this industry as much as they did that night. Dave Meltzer and all his wingdings can have all their Omega's and New Japan's...whatever. This to me was the best of wrestling in the 21st century...iconic characters telling an incredible story and involving the fans in it to the point where it was literally a FRENZY.

[@kennyfleck8042]

One screw up, should have closed the show. No disrespect to HHH and Jericho, but this was definitely THE MATCH.

[@andreatottress4772]

My initial thought was it was to set up a Sting debut honestly

[@ChadPlainview_]

I loved the way, Rock put aside his ego and allowed the fans to have a special moment with Hulk. Letting Hulk call the match and essentially be a heel.

[@kennyfleck8042]

@@ChadPlainview_ rocky got a good history of that, he put over Goldberg and Lesnar before departing for Hollywood, not his fault they left without giving the rub. Imagine if they had both lost to up and comers at WM XX instead of having a match together. But rocky was a third generation, he knew how it worked, and that's protthe main reason he worked the Cena program. Again not his fault it was too late to fully work.

[@kennyfleck8042]

@Allen B that was merely one of the things that made rock great, and he was the real total package, sorry Lex luger

[@guillermosierracuellar9812]

The real main event of Wrestlemania 18 and the start of the downfall of the WWE version of the Nwo

[@Kas58223]

That match deserved the main event spot the crowd was so into the match as well as me

[@Kas58223]

Alex Kanyima well the crowd was dead for their match and even HHH was pissed off bout it

[@madamefeast4824]

The NWO was strictly WCW. It's downfall was like 1998 lol. Not years after when they were brought back in WWE. If anything this would be a mini comeback... Downfall...

[@madamefeast4824]

@midniteryder Yeah they definitely could of lasted longer. I'll admit, I was pumped in early 2000s when they came back. Hall has his demons but was a great character. And Nash was always entertaining when he played himself. It just felt very thin when they came back in WWE. It wasn't really NWO. It was NWO working on a WWE program. But I still look back on it fondly

[@TimmyTickle]

@Alex Kanyima You mean "HHH vs Stephanie with Jericho in the background" because that's pretty much all that match was

[@richardbunch6912]

12:48 So Rikishi was still doing it for the rock in 2002???

[@lg3385]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davevandebunte2949]

I started watching the WWF in the mid 1980s, and grew up as a Hulkamaniac...Wrestlemania X8 is by far my favorite Hulk Hogan match ever. The match itself wasn't great, but that crowd...THAT CROWD. To everyone who was in attendance at the Skydome that day, I salute you for creating one of the greatest Wrestlemania moments of all time.

[@lukegeorge927]

You’ll never get a moment like this again and it’s sad thinking about it

[@jjirish2]

I remember where I was when I first saw this match. I had grew tired of Hogan and WCW and more onboard with WWE and The Rock and Stone Cold. But this Wrestlemania moment did and still does send chills down my spine as one of my favorite wrestling moments of all time. Truly unforgettable. I haven't watched it in its entirety in a month or so, so I will watch it again for the 12th time... Something like that. And Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler commentating the match was priceless.

[@travismurell5228]

I wish they would have brought In Savage.

[@TYWWF97_03]

Proud to say I attended Wrestlemania X8. The Rock vs Hulk Hogan was awesome!! Still get goosebumps thinking about it.

[@only1icon1801]

Remember when Rock vs Cena was billed as Once in a Lifetime but this should have that title. Love Rocky but not a Hogan fan at all but this was truly special and amazing. I do think it was a better call than SCSA as their styles would clash and seems a lot better on paper really. That crowd though, my God, that was the sizzle that the steak needed. Great upload as always WB

[@My19812011]

They also did Rock/Hogan twice as well, WrestleMania 18 and No Way Out 2003 so wasn’t even once in a year let alone a lifetime mate

[@senorbusyman]

Whenever Rock & Austin teamed up they were known as The Peoples 3:16

[@thechadzerker]

I was at that wrestlemania. It was amazing. Rocky vs Hulk stole the show. I was sitting with 6 big dudes, and we will pretended we weren't crying with nostalgia, when Rocky put Hulk over, making him do the American hero thing after the match. THE BEAT MATCH I WAS IN ATTENDANCE FOR, EVER. Love the channel, great video!

[@luisgomez8635]

You along with 6 other guys, cried? Literally cried? Did you really...? If you were overwhelmed with nostalgia, its ok to say so, but dont go pretending to have gotten all hyperemotional to the point of tears. Ffs

[@kevinpayton2664]

It was a great match and the crowd made it special. Unforgettable

[@Goodboy-hc1fi]

Great video. I was at this wrestle mania when I was 13. The rock really showed what a pro he is and that he didn’t have an ego to be able to work heel on the fly to give the fans what they want

[@jabroni_z2686]

The pop that Hogan got at WM18 was probably the biggest of all time(top 3 for sure). I hate when people say that if Austin had been in the match instead of Rock he wouldn’t have been booed. You could have put Jesus himself in that match and he would have gotten booed over Hogan that night. Also Rock WAS the better choice over Austin simply because of styles, Rock was able to get the best out of Hogan while Austin and Hogan’s styles would have clashed and it would have ended up being disappointing as far as “match quality”. Also I don’t think Austin’s ego would have him play heel to Hogan, it would have been a clunky match with two big egos not working together. Vince should have thanked God that Rock was not only willing to work with Hogan, but adjust on the fly and not have an ego about switching roles for the match.

[@fc775]

Rock was the bigger star by 02

[@davidking5559]

The crowd reaction he got in Montreal i think it was the next night on Monday Night Raw was crazy. Just like at the Hall Of Fame when the fans caused his time to run over due to all the chants. The man is a legend and yes he was selfish and didn't wanna lose his spot on top so he kept others down but it was a different time back in the 80s. You have to remember he was promised the AWA Heavyweight Title only to win and the decision be reversed 2 or 3 times because Verne was too stupid to realize how hot Hogan was at that time. So he did what others did to him.

[@justafanofnerdculture7602]

The Rock, at this point, with all due respect to Austin, was the better choice to face Hogan.

[@jabroni_z2686]

fc775 hell by 01 he was the bigger star. Austin was getting a lil stale by late 99 and fans were getting a lil tired of his feud with Vince(that had been going on for 2 years by that point). I think if he hadn’t been out for that whole year, it would have hurt his character instead of helping it. Fans would have really grown tired of his character, that’s why he wanted to turn heel at WM17 he knew he was getting stale.

[@jabroni_z2686]

Thorbringsthehammer yea your right it was, and that’s the only place you’ll see it... in your dreams. 😂😂

[@TonySkittleAlive184]

That NWO & Rocky Mavia remixed track was awesome 😎 👍 👍! !

[@Pops_Reviews]

As a Canadian, I think Canada just loved Hulk Hogan! I was a huge fan of the Rock, but I was a fan of Hulk from the AWA days and they would come through Central Canada alot! Hulk Hogan was also huge in Toronto from The Big Event that was in Toronto CNE Stadium with over 60+ thousand fans to see Hulk vs Mr.Wonderful Paul Orndorff! I think the old school fans just never let go of Hulk Hogan being their hero, and especially Canada, even though he was Pro American! His charisma look and Character just transcended culture and country making him an all time hero in wrestling!!!

[@Darthpsychonis]

This was one of, if not my absolute favorite wrestling memory. While I am a bigger fan of Steve Austin, I think that Rock vs Hogan was without a doubt the better choice during that particular time. IMO the hype around Austin had begun to cool off, adding to that his injuries it would have made for a poorer match. Plus I think the Rock's personality jelled better with Hogan anyways.

[@billblaski9523]

Exactly. I can't picture Austin adjusting to the crowd and going along with Hogan's shenanigans like Rock did. Austin had way too big of an ego at the time to kowtow to Hogan

[@ericr4479]

You are a BOSS when it comes to mixing theme songs together….at times even better than the original versions!! Keep it up sir!!!

[@NotAGarage]

I remember watching this live. All I cared about was FINALLY seeing Razor Ramon back in the WWF. And Diesel too. Hogan was the last one I looked at. I'm a big Hall and Nash mark though.

[@BrentSexy]

Aren't you so cool to be anti Hogan

[@billblaski9523]

@@BrentSexy lol

[@TheDimeDrawer]

The Rock was a bigger star than Austin in 2002.

[@some_shitposting_idiot3023]

22:55 actually hogan has great in ring skills, he just wasn't ever forced to use them, check out his work in Japan and it becomes very clear that despite being one of the best of all times he was criminally under utilised

[@truebaimar9923]

Thank you for knowing!! This guy is okay, but he's limited in old school knowledge..

[@kellyrobinson8157]

I was there and had a view behind the entrance just before the run in I saw Vince giving the outsiders instructions. Obviously he must have changed the beat down.

[@dds505]

11:40 Didn’t Rock do that like 10 years later when he was in Boston cutting a promo on Cena? 😂

[@lg3385]

Rock history lessons.

[@shadygaming1522]

I was playing my air guitar when your intro came on

[@jorisweyen7934]

Love how this match killed the crowd for Triple H afterwards, hate how this match killed the crowd for Jericho afterwards...

[@njprince9717]

they should have made it the main event

[@josephwalker8757]

The Rock is without doubt the biggest thing to ever come from WWF/WWE, no one has came close to his star power outside of wrestling.

[@beardifull462]

I was there for that match to, the atmosphere was truly electrifying lol most people then left while the main event match going on sense we felt content enough after Rocky and Hogan

[@chadwillett619]

this wasn't the main event match?! what match came after?

[@mtabby8791]

@@chadwillett619 Jericho HHH

[@imogenaris1697]

This was a great story & one of the best sports entertainment moments of the early '00's. That footage of the Radicalz hit hard. Dean & Perry have had a lot of uphill health battles. R.I.P. Eddie.

[@saint_silver]

Your remixes are always really nice and set the mood very well

[@atlsooner85]

Watching this live in 2002 when I was 17 is unexplainable too get that feel you either had to be there or saw in real time. It was too hard not root against hogan. I loved Austin and rock. But the little kid inside me wouldn't let me root against hogan during this time. About 2 years later I quit watching wrestling and now revisit for nostalgia.

[@seanrichards1981]

People forget Hogan's prime ran so much longer than Stone Cold or The Rock. He is wrestling and Always will be. win or lose #Hulkamania4Life

[@heels4lifx]

Hogan never reached the heights that the Rock or Stone Cold did with wrestling. The Rock and Stone Cold became fan favorites organically. Hogan was shoved down everyone’s throats and then cried when people got tired of him.

[@savagebeast4063]

The rock rejuvenated Austin's career at wm 17 then a year later he rejuvenated hogans career at wm 18

[@30over3]

The most insane crowd I have ever seen and heard!! My brother and I, huge Hogan marks from the 80's, looked at each other and couldn't believe what was actually going down. To this day I will never forget this match and this WrestleMania.

[@santinotupou9127]

One my top 5 favorite match all time remember when watch that match on PPV I was only in 8th grade now 31 how time fly so fast but any ways great match that never be forgotten

[@yousafihsan167]

This was one of my favourite hogan matches in wwe

[@nateemond197]

Greatest match of all time. I could go on a tear about why today's wrestling sucks, but simply put there will never be a fan reaction like this again. Work rate and gymnastics does not beat larger than life stars

[@thealjohnsonshow2188]

One of the all-time greatest wrestling matches/WrestleMania matches/WWE matches ever made. So beautiful.

[@mrglass3617]

Thanks for doing this video. I was there and I forgot how insane it was. Rewatching it will never do it justice. When Hogan hulked up you could feel the floor shaking. Look at the reaction, Just amazing. The crowd really did make this a special moment. This should have been the main event for WM18.

[@gypsyauh2o]

This is my favorite match of all time...no hyperbol.

[@ironman2326]

It's silly that the WWE veterans didn't want the nWo to come to WWE because "they tried to put them out of business". That's business, it's not personal. How do they not get that?

[@TheDirtySouth404]

How is trying to take away someone’s livelihood not personal?

[@adamfein4970]

Only so many spots on the card.

[@justafanofnerdculture7602]

Man, this match was so epic and that audience took it to another level! Absolutely love that stare down at the beginning and this is most definitely one of my favorite matches ever. This video has given me another excuse to watch this match. Another awesome Wrestling Bios production!

[@joshuachristian5443]

Wasn't even into wrestling anymore but I watched this at a friends house when it aired. I had never been so emotional while watching ANYTHING. I actually bought the dvd just for that match. Never watched anything else from that event. Only cared about that match. Still can't believe it wasn't the main event.

[@lifekicks79]

I watched this match two days ago.still gave me chillls.i wad just craving it big time

[@dachronicalalittlebitofeve6630]

Austin wouldn’t work with hulk over the whole Brett thing, sad because it would’ve been money big big money

[@mike4409]

Good video. I was at the Sky Dome and when watching replays on TV, in my opinion, doesn't do the crowd response justice. It was incredible being there.

[@jj_koolsmits5629]

Watching this match as a kid was pure nostalgia for me! I wasn’t old enough to remember Hogan’s first run in WWE, and didn’t watch much of WCW, but I knew of Hogan and his legacy. As a fan of the Rock at this time and seeing the two stare down each other at the start of the match was pure gold, and I got goosebumps.

[@criminalmindsgirl2936]

I can't stand Hogan but they had a good ass match at WrestleMania 18.

[@Serioussmile51]

Last time I was this early I had to apologize for it...😬✌️

[@Bsfnelz20]

Lmao i ALWAYS tell them you should of got yours b4 i got mine 🙄🤣

[@nonstickmeat]

My favorite match of all time, thanks Wrestling Bios!

[@AngelReyes-qr6ny]

One of the Greatest Wrestlemania matches ever,!!!! Thanks for uploading this Bio,!!!