Hulk Hogan returning to WWE

[Strummer]

this probably deserves it's own thread

 

https://www.pwinsider.com/article/116274/the-stage-could-be-set-for-the-wwe-return-of-hulk-hogan-wwe-statement.html?p=1

[Edwin]

As long as this leads to Styles vs. Hogan, I'm down...

 

But seriously, aside from the potential SDL GM role, I really have no interest in seeing Hogan back.

[SirEdger]

I guess this totally makes sense given that Smackdown Live will now theoretically find themselves without authority figures. So, Hogan stepping in as commissionner or General Manager isn't far-fetched.

 

But I'd be damned if they won't try to have Hogan team with Braun against The Bar at Wrestlemania, just for the pop Hogan & Braun would get. I'd like to think that if WWE wants to cement Braun as a top babyface on RAW, that'd do the trick.

[El-P]

Really ?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49kFPeItBdg

[sek69]

The link in the OP basically stated WWE has reached out and could have plans, hardly "Hogan is returning to WWE" worthy. Especically in light of having the Moolah Battle Royal blow up in their faces, I doubt they want to have the guy on tape making racial slurs as their next WM plan.

[Cornette's racket]

I think the fact that they used his real name first shows that this isn't a done deal even slightly.

[flyonthewall2983]

If he ever does return I can see the company using him in a more subdued role. Maybe not doing in-ring stuff, but for the Network. I'm still enough of a mark for the persona that I'd love to see him do a comprehensive career program where he watches old matches and comments on them.

[Zoo Enthusiast]

They have been showing him a noticeable amount lately so this seems logical.

[conker8]

He will induct Hillbilly Jim.

[sek69]

I'm sure the Snickers people would love that.

[The Thread Killer]

I'm sure this isn't a popular opinion, but I don't care...I hope he does go back. What he did was wrong and stupid and thoughtless and hurtful, but I don't think he deserves to be exiled for life. I don't want to see him wrestle, but rather as an ambassador and doing charity events and pubic relations stuff for them, plus as a talking head on documentaries and stuff like that. Hulk Hogan is way too big a part of what made WWE what it is today for him to spend the rest of his life as somebody they gloss over.

[Cobra Commander]

As long as this leads to Styles vs. Hogan, I'm down...

makes me want to look around to see if the Segunda Caida podcasts are still online somewhere because that reminded me of the joke about Hogan selling Styles' Pele Kick when Hogan was coming into TNA in like 2010.

[DMJ]

I second the motion for Hogan to be brought back - but in the same position/role that a Flair, Bret, Shawn, etc. are in. You can call it being an ambassador, you can call it being a "recurring guest star," but if IIRC, his last few appearances with the company were really shaky with noticeable gaffes in his live segments so the idea of him being on SD every week sounds like a terrible idea. A special guest on house shows? Sure. Charity work? Fine. Just no need to see him more than 2-3 times a year.

 

What was more interesting to me in this OP link was the mention that Hogan was set to wrestle Cena at WrestleMania 25. I think I'd heard this rumor before but always took it as Hogan BS - I mean, even 9 years ago, Hogan was basically retired or wrestling very safe matches against his buddies (Big Show and Flair). Then again, he did get in the ring in 2010-2012, so its not completely impossible.

 

Plus, even then, I thought the real booking plan was Hogan/Jericho at WM25 as Jericho was feuding with Mickey Rourke and the legends at the time. The idea there would've been that Hogan would've been there to shut Jericho up after all the trash talking and whatnot he'd pulled against the 80s guys (Snuka, Steamboat, etc.)

[Hawkeye12]

The rumors for WM 25 were Hogan vs Cena and Edge vs Big Show based around Vicki. When Hogan couldn't go, they made that a 3 way feud with the belt on the line. Here's hoping Hulk comes back, be it for more extras footage for DVDs and the Network, or the Smackdown Commissioner. As much as I love the idea of him being Braun's teammate, I just don't see any way he can wrestle at this point, he's 64 now. Even if he looks in great shape on the outside, his body probably can't take much more than a couple bumps for a match. He could win a battle royal like the Iron Sheik at WM17 where he doesn't have to bump, and he can sell a ringpost shot like he did at WM32, but a full match would seem unlikely.

[Alucard]

That'd make me a Braun fan for life but yeah probably zero chance. Definitely feels like still a huge IF Hulk ever returns at this point, but I'll always hope for and support it. I think he'd be great as GM and do a similar job to how Kurt's been doing on Raw.

[sek69]

Guys from that era have shown to struggle mightly in the current script heavy WWE. Piper and Flair had issues, and Kurt is 50-50 if he can make it throught a typically overly wordy promo without bumbling. Hogan's always been a case of diminishing returns post 2002 or so, the best case scenario would be to show up on a Raw-after-Mania level show to get the big nostalgia pop and then have Heath Slater run into a few punches for him. Having him as any sort of recurring character would not be best for either side.

[flyonthewall2983]

I'm sure this isn't a popular opinion, but I don't care...I hope he does go back. What he did was wrong and stupid and thoughtless and hurtful, but I don't think he deserves to be exiled for life. I don't want to see him wrestle, but rather as an ambassador and doing charity events and pubic relations stuff for them, plus as a talking head on documentaries and stuff like that. Hulk Hogan is way too big a part of what made WWE what it is today for him to spend the rest of his life as somebody they gloss over.

 

For better or worse, the company has continued to embrace people with checkered pasts and embarrassing incidents. At least he has apologized for what he has said, even if the veracity of his apologies are questionable. In today's world, can you imagine what kind of shit Warrior would be spewing right now? Things he said, even months before he died, were just as offensive if not more so than what Hogan did given the circumstances of when he said it.

[NickH]

They should name a battle royal after him and see what the reaction is.

[iamthedoctor]

this probably deserves it's own thread

 

https://www.pwinsider.com/article/116274/the-stage-could-be-set-for-the-wwe-return-of-hulk-hogan-wwe-statement.html?p=1

 

Hogan & Braun vs The Bar.

[Strummer]

http://www.tmz.com/2018/05/04/hulk-hogan-wwe-return-plans/

[El-P]

Honestly, at this point, after the Saudi show, Hogan coming back is not even a footnote.

 

[Matt D]

Morality aside, what do you even do with him?

[peachchaos]

gotta get his win back on Lesnar

[Mad Dog]

Morality aside, what do you even do with him?

Random talking head on various Network specials who you trot out once or twice a year for big events?

[El-P]

Morality aside, what do you even do with him?

At this point, only the most senile portion of the audience and the hardcore retromaniacs will pop.

 

gotta get his win back on Lesnar

 

Ding ding ding. We have a winner.