WWE WrestleMania 33: 25 Greatest Moments in WrestleMania History

9. Hogan vs. Rock (WrestleMania X8)

After WWE bought WCW in 2001, it was only a matter of time before the nWo showed up in WWE. Sure enough, the original three members of the New World Order — Hollywood Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall — made their returns to WWE in February 2002. Much like their initial run in WCW, the nWo were billed as “outsiders”. Vince McMahon brought them in to “kill” WWE so he didn’t have to share the company with Ric Flair. It was a whole thing, you had to be there.

To accomplish their mission, Hogan and company focused their attack on the biggest stars in WWE — Stone Cold and The Rock. When WrestleMania X8 rolled around in March, Hogan had a singles match with Rock. It was Hogan’s first WrestleMania match in nine years, when he somehow left WrestleMania IX as world champ.

The Toronto crowd was treated to a memorable match between the two icons of WWE — past and present. Their excitement for the match fueled both competitors — despite the heel Hogan getting cheered more than the babyface Rocky. Both superstars would kick out of the other’s finishing moves, showing their resiliency and desire to win.

Eventually, Hogan would Hulk Up, which drove the crowd nuts. But it wasn’t enough, as Rock emerged victorious in the end. The two icons shook hands, which propelled Hogan to a face turn after Hall and Nash assaulted him.

The image of Hulk Hogan getting a WrestleMania crowd to pop after nine years is one that no one will soon forget.