Despite Being Five Years Younger, Hulk Hogan Wanted Ric Flair for His Australia Tour Due to His “Really Bad Physical Shape”

Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair are two of the most decorated names in the pro-wrestling world. While Flair is five years older than The Hulkster, the two dominated the scenes in the 80s and 90s. Needless to say, The Nature Boy and Hulk Hogan met on more than a few occasions in the ring across various promotions.

While most people love to stay away from their nemesis, especially during an unfavorable period, Hogan defies it. When he toured Australia in 2009, ‘The Immortal One’ wanted to face only Flair as his opponent, despite being in poor physical shape.

Why did Hulk Hogan choose Ric Flair as his preferred opponent in Australia?

Hogan, Flair, and a handful of pro-wrestlers flew to Australia along with Eric Bischoff to explore an untapped territory in 2009. The tour, headlined by the then 56-year-old Hogan, was named Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin.

The tourists put on four shows in Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney, between November 21 and 28. In all four matches, Hogan faced Flair, winning the bouts. While there were other experienced talents, including Hulk’s longtime friend Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, he chose to face only the 16-time World Champion.

Revealing the reason, Bischoff said it was because of the trust Hogan had in Flair. “Hulk was in really, really bad physical shape at that point and also knew he had to be in there with somebody that he could really trust and depend on, that could help him overcome some of the limitations that he had physically because he was in really bad shape,” the WWE Hall of Famer said a recent episode of his 83 Weeks podcast.

Even though the former nWo member struggled with a depilated body, he clearly knew that his senior colleague wouldn’t let him drown.

Did Hulk Hogan just assume Ric Flair would do the job?

One may assume Hulk Hogan’s desire to pick Flair would be whims or a starry tantrum. To be fair, none of the other tourists, barring Flair, possessed the resume that Hogan carried. So, it wasn’t unreasonable for him to pick an opponent of equal caliber. Yet, there’s more to that story.

As mentioned above, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair clashed on more than a few occasions. In fact, those occasions counted to a whooping 76 matches. The win ratio is lopsided though. The Hulkster went over 62 times, leaving Flair with just 14 victories against the 69-year-old. Having met that many times, both the 74-year-old and Hogan knew their game inside out and it wasn’t mere whims that the latter exercised.

Read More: Despite Hulk Hogan Barely Able to Walk, WWE Legend Reveals How He Managed to Put Together Successful Australia Tour: “That Was a Big Concern”

Among all their bouts, perhaps the one that is the most talked about took place at Madison Square Garden on November 30, 1991. That night, facing Flair for the 22nd time in his career, Hogan avenged his loss. Just three days earlier, Flair had helped The Undertaker take the WWE Title from The Hulkster.

Irrespective of their in-ring feuds, the two continue to be friends and have one more thing in common- they are both 2x WWE Hall of Famers.

What did you make of Hulk Hogan’s wish? Would you trust your foe? Let us know in the comments.

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