“They Didn’t Like the Gimmick”: Hulk Hogan Ponders Upon Rare Failure in His Immortal WWE Career

Hulk Hogan is one of the most popular WWE Wrestlers of all time. His charisma and fan-drawing ability were second to none. He is often credited alongside Vince McMahon for turning WWE into an International giant from a regional wrestling promotion.

However, it was his braun that made possible the feat, and he was highly rewarded for it as well. Hulk Hogan is one of the most highly celebrated professional wrestlers, and his achievements and financial gains can attest to that.

Over the years, Hulk Hogan has grown to be an indestructible force. However, while growing up to be one of the biggest professional wrestling entities, he had experimented with several gimmicks as well. While, his Real-American gimmick was a major hit, his heel work as Hollywood Hogan was even a bigger hit. However, his character work as the mask-clad Mr.America failed to impress the fans.

Speaking on Ringside Collectibles, Hogan explained why his work as Mr.America failed to impress the fans. He claimed that as per his beliefs, he wanted Mr.America to be what Dusty Rhodes’ Midnight rider was in Florida. However, he further claimed that the gimmick just did not work. He wrestled three matches as Mr.America, and the gimmick began and ended in 2003.

Hogan said, ” I thought Mr. America was going to rock on and be a huge angle, and they said ‘Hey brother, you’re doing the job tonight.’ And I went ‘Hmm, I guess this isn’t going very far’. I just figured they didn’t like the gimmick.”

The 69-year-old further revealed that at the end of the match, he would pull out his mask, and reveal his real identity. Among all the other successful gimmicks, Mr.American just did not hit the mark.

What led to the infamous downfall of WCW?

Hollywood Hogan was having the time of his lifetime during his stay in WCW, earning in millions and winning the ratings war with WWE. However, it was infamous incident that led to the downfall of everything. In 1999, Hogan would claim retirement on television, and Kevin Nash would break Goldberg’s undefeated streak.

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However, the following week, Hogan would return and challenge Nash for the Heavyweight Title. Following which, he would poke Nash on the chest, and score a pin-fall on him. Leading to winning the championship, and reforming the nWo.

WCW fans did not take well the incident, and soon began the company’s downfall. Ratings started dropping, and fans started becoming more interested in what Vince McMahon and WWE had to offer. Slowly and steadily everything fell apart.

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