End of an Era: Hulk Hogan in 1993's World Wrestling Federation [Videos]

During the late-1980s and into the 1990s, Hulk Hogan held a large amount of creative control over his matches, as did many long-term pro wrestling champions before him. Hogan was part of an era where top wrestlers losing a match to someone meant something. Hogan could have easily agreed to lose the belt to Bret Hart, as the WWF Magazine was promoting a potential match up at the time, however for whatever reason, the match up never took place. The "creative differences" between Hogan and WWF owner Vince McMahon were too great to move forward with this potential match up. Hogan kept his commitment to wrestle on WWF's European Tour, and wrested several matches against Yokozuna before departing the company in the summer of '93.

Through his own admission, Hulk Hogan's heart and soul were no longer in the pro wrestling business in 1993. In fact, Hogan has stated that he had decided that he was going to leave the WWF prior to his WWF title win at WrestleMania IX in April 1993. And even after his title win at WrestleMania IX, Hogan said he had planned to only wrestle one more pay-per-view event.

In regards to his WWF departure in 1993, Hogan stated in a UK magazine interview, “Basically it was a case of where the [WWF] promotion and I did not get along and couldn’t reach an agreement on the direction we wanted to go. We had contrasting ideas, creative differences. You know, Vince McMahon had other wrestlers he wanted to place in the spotlight [i.e. Bret Hart, Lex Luger]. At the time, I thought that Hulkamania could generate more interest, he thought otherwise.”

Hogan would not return to the World Wrestling Federation until February 2002.

Hulk Hogan returns to the WWF

Monday Night Raw

February 22, 1993

Hulk Hogan interview

Pebble Mill 

March 1993

Hulk Hogan on the set of Thunder in Paradise

April 1993

Hulk Hogan in Japan

May 3, 1993

Hulk Hogan "Shoot Interview" on British TV
Early 1993

Hulk Hogan Promotional Video

Summer 1993 European Tour

Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Hart talk about Hogan's "buzzing" future
Summer 1993

Hulk Hogan and Yokozuna
FACE TO FACE
June 1993

Hulk Hogan and Yokozuna

FACE TO FACE

Aired June 26, 1993

Hulk Hogan interview

What's Up Doc?

December 11, 1993

Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon

2002

Royal Rumble 1990: The Beginning of Hulk Hogan vs Ultimate Warrior [Videos]

The 1990 Royal Rumble saw a major confrontation between WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan and WWF Intercontinental Champion the Ultimate Warrior. This confrontation led to a "Champion verses Champion" match at WrestleMania VI, held on April 1, 1990 at the Toronto Skydome.

The man later known as Ultimate Warrior began his professional wrestling career in late 1985, but became most accomplished during his time in the World Wrestling Federation from 1987 to 1992 and again in 1996. First capturing the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship in 1988, he shared considerable fame throughout his title reign that was comparable to professional wrestling's biggest superstar, Hulk Hogan.

In January of 1990, Hulk Hogan was in his second reign as the WWF World Heavyweight Champion after he defeated Randy Savage on April 2, 1989 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Hogan had starred in the the film, No Holds Barred which was released by New Line Cinema on June 2, 1989 and many of Hogan's 1989 matches after June involved Randy Savage and/or promotion for the film. As WWF Champion, Hogan was a favorite to win the 1990 Royal Rumble.

With Hulk Hogan looking to make more films, and the World Wrestling Federation moving into the new decade of the 1990s, the company needed and wanted a new top superstar. Originally the honor was offered to New Holds Barred star Zeus (real name Tom Lister, Jr.), however he declined. Despite having future '90s WWF Champions (i.e. Bret Hart, Shawn Micheals) on the 1990 roster, very few of the approximately 50 professional wrestlers outside of Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior had 1990 WWF Championship potential at the time. The 1990 Royal Rumble and the encounter with Hulk Hogan would place the Ultimate Warrior in the perfect position to become the next top star and WWF Champion.

Hulk Hogan faces off against the Ultimate Warrior

Sean Mooney discussing the 1990 WWF Royal Rumble

Classic Promos from the WWF Royal Rumble Participates

The 1990 Royal Rumble can be seen on the WWE Network by clicking http://network.wwe.com/video/v31345259/milestone/31357153 or at http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5d80ep

Ric Flair! in the huddle with the NFL Los Angeles Rams [Video]

Stylin' & Profilin (Ric Flair and Todd Gurley)

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