Listing The Best Matches From All 35 WrestleManias

WrestleMania X8: The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan

A true dream match that few would have ever expected to see, The Rock and Hulk Hogan held the Toronto crowd in the palm of their hand before a single blow had been exchanged in their WrestleMania X8 classic.

Hulk Hogan had returned to WWE after almost 9 years away. His return, however, was not as the red and yellow all-American hero of the Hulkamania era, but as the dastardly Hollywood Hulk Hogan, leader of the New World Order. In the meanwhile, stars like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin had ascended to the top of the card. Hogan and The Rock waged a battle based on the built-in tale of past vs. present in a cross-generational classic.

Hogan’s villainous allegiances meant nothing to the audience, who still held fond memories of Hogan’s clash with The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI. For the duration of the match, the audience effectively forced an Austin/Hart style double turn on the pair, as Hogan worked his old babyface style and The Rock slid back into his heel role.

The Rock emerged victorious following a match that was built almost entirely on crowd energy. Hogan was gracious in defeat, however, shaking The Rock’s hand and going into his old posing routine. This displeased Hogan’s nWo cohorts, however, and Scott Hall and Kevin Nash attacked Hogan, beating him down until Rock made the save.

This match set the stage for Hogan’s nostalgia run and subsequent title win. It is, at the very least worth watching for the surreal atmosphere and extremely hot crowd.