“I Was the Official Enemy” – Hulk Hogan Remembers the Time When He Doubted His Own Popularity Against Dwayne Johnson During the Attitude Era

Hulk Hogan is simultaneous to the first boom period of WWE in the 80s. The Hulkster became a household name and even held the WWE Championship for 1474 days when he won for the first time. However, he left the company in 1993 and a year later, in 1994, joined WCW, where he went till 2000 before returning to WWE in 2002. Surprisingly, The Hulkster wasn’t expecting the reception he got in WWE upon his return, especially in the match against Dwayne Johnson.

The Immortal One was the competition for WWE for nearly seven years of his career. Hence, when he came back, even though a legend, he was the enemy of the 2002 WWE locker room.

Hulk Hogan once recalled what made his 2002 WWE return different

In 2014, The Hulkster appeared for an interview on Power 106 Los Angeles show. While talking about his match with The Rock, Hogan recalled being surprised by the crowd’s reaction. He stated even being an enemy of the company from WCW the fans showed their loyalty to him in WWE.

The 12-time world champion said, “I wasn’t sure, but you see the 90s was like the Attitude Era. With the training, the vitamins and the 80s way, way, way cool for a good message, and then all of a sudden people started pumping me out. The training, prayers, and vitamins were like, ‘we’ve heard that before’ what it looked it. The 90s had an edge, it was the Attitude Era.” 

Hogan added, “Even the WWE had that Attitude Era with Stone Cold Steve Austin drinking beers and doing the crazy stuff. I just didn’t know what to expect. But when I came back I’d been gone so long, I’d been working for another company, Ted Turner. When I came back I was like the black sheep man. I mean even as far as the other wrestlers I was the official enemy.”

The two-time WWE Hall of Famer recalled Scott Hall and Kevin Nash being on his side and they were doing their thing. Surprisingly, it shocked Hogan when the fans cheered for him during the match, which showed how loyal they were.

Read More:- WWE Legend Takes a Massive Shot at Hulk Hogan While Wishing the Rock on His Birthday

However, their match was not the main event, as Bruce Prichard once said WWE never thought to put this match at that spot. Nevertheless, this match is Hogan’s second favorite WrestleMania moment.

A match with Dwayne Johnson is not Hogan’s first favorite WrestleMania moment

Before talking about the WrestleMania 18 match with The Rock, Hogan shared his best WrestleMania moment. It is without a doubt from WrestleMania 3 against Andre the Giant. 

Hogan reminisced Andre had the match despite having major back surgery. Moreover, he passed the torch to The Hulkster in that match. This is the reason Hogan keeps this WrestleMania as the best moment in his career.

What are your thoughts on Hogan’s comments? Did you love The Rock vs Hulk Hogan from WrestleMania 18? Share your opinion below.

Watch This Story:- 50 Years of The Rock: Dwayne Johnson’s Greatest Achievements in WWE