Post by SK3 on Aug 28, 2006 7:12:57 GMT -5
In the upcoming issue of WWE Magazine, Triple H is interviewed about a variety of subjects. In the interview, the topic turns to Hulk Hogan. HHH states: "I've yet to see Hulk Hogan lose to anybody. He wrestles once every 6 months, and it doesn't matter if you're the biggest name in active competition today, he's not going to lose to you. There was suppose to be a Hogan/Michaels 2, and Hogan was supposed to lose. All of a sudden his knee starting 'bugging' him."
Triple H has done nothing but run Hulk Hogan down for years. Not that he's ever been a fan of his anyways; he even admits to such in the special Triple H magazine from 2001. He was more of a fan of the heels growing up. Despite this, though, don't think for one New York minute that a little professional jealousy has nothing to do with it either. I'm not saying HHH doesn't have a right to his opinion; this is America, of course he does. I just think it's a little sad to see Hulk Hogan praise HHH, only to see HHH turn around and bash him for being a "cheap knockoff of Superstar Billy Graham" (no, HHH. Graham was one of Hulk's idols, and it's called "paying homage", kid. You should know; you spent a good couple of years trying to be a Ric Flair knockoff).
HHH has been running Hulk down as far back as 2002, when he and Chris Jericho were complaining about how the live crowd didn't treat their match as the main event, instead reserving that for Hogan-Rock. Maybe it's because, oh, I don't know, it really WAS the main event? (Look at the advertising for that show; Hogan-Rock was the match getting all the hype). Also, HHH bitched in his fitness book about how he had to drop the title to Hulk at Backlash 2002 "because he was cheered like a God one night in Montreal."
Oh, and let's not forget my favorite one of all, after he won his ninth World title: "For me to be in a class with the 'Nature Boy' (Ric Flair) - who I've gone on record, time and time again, saying that I consider him to be the greatest professional wrestler of all-time - is a big honor. As far as Hogan goes...well, I could care less about Hulk Hogan." Total lack of respect from a man who claims to live and breathe the history of the business.
As far as his remarks in the current issue of WWE Magazine go: First of all, Hulk Hogan at this stage of his career has become a "special attraction" meant to come in and pop the live crowd with the vintage Hulk Hogan match they remember from their youth. In 2006, it's become the "memory lane match" of the card, in which Hulk fights whatever heel is giving him some trouble, and comes out on top, the way the fans remember it. It's sort of like Bruno Sammartino's final WWE run of the mid-80's. Why should Hulk Hogan's fans pay to see him "lose" now? It's not like he's going to win any World Championships any time soon, and it's not as if losing to him is going to ruin your career. Not in the least. He's harmless, and losing to him in 2006 is harmless. It's a "special attraction" match meant to entertain the Hulkamaniacs, with no effect on the opponent's career progress. One day HHH will be there. We'll see how he justifies his position then.
Also, it wasn't Hulk's knee that caused him to back out of the rematch. He simply decided he didn't want to work with Shawn Michaels again. He didn't like how personal Shawn was taking things on television and decided he didn't want to be a part of anything he was involved in. End of story. So, HHH, why did Hulk Hogan go ahead and wrestle Randy Orton last week despite his knee issues?
One last parting shot: I'm sure you all read the reports about HHH wanting to "out-pop" Hulk last week at SummerSlam. Two words for ya: "professional jealousy."
Triple H has done nothing but run Hulk Hogan down for years. Not that he's ever been a fan of his anyways; he even admits to such in the special Triple H magazine from 2001. He was more of a fan of the heels growing up. Despite this, though, don't think for one New York minute that a little professional jealousy has nothing to do with it either. I'm not saying HHH doesn't have a right to his opinion; this is America, of course he does. I just think it's a little sad to see Hulk Hogan praise HHH, only to see HHH turn around and bash him for being a "cheap knockoff of Superstar Billy Graham" (no, HHH. Graham was one of Hulk's idols, and it's called "paying homage", kid. You should know; you spent a good couple of years trying to be a Ric Flair knockoff).
HHH has been running Hulk down as far back as 2002, when he and Chris Jericho were complaining about how the live crowd didn't treat their match as the main event, instead reserving that for Hogan-Rock. Maybe it's because, oh, I don't know, it really WAS the main event? (Look at the advertising for that show; Hogan-Rock was the match getting all the hype). Also, HHH bitched in his fitness book about how he had to drop the title to Hulk at Backlash 2002 "because he was cheered like a God one night in Montreal."
Oh, and let's not forget my favorite one of all, after he won his ninth World title: "For me to be in a class with the 'Nature Boy' (Ric Flair) - who I've gone on record, time and time again, saying that I consider him to be the greatest professional wrestler of all-time - is a big honor. As far as Hogan goes...well, I could care less about Hulk Hogan." Total lack of respect from a man who claims to live and breathe the history of the business.
As far as his remarks in the current issue of WWE Magazine go: First of all, Hulk Hogan at this stage of his career has become a "special attraction" meant to come in and pop the live crowd with the vintage Hulk Hogan match they remember from their youth. In 2006, it's become the "memory lane match" of the card, in which Hulk fights whatever heel is giving him some trouble, and comes out on top, the way the fans remember it. It's sort of like Bruno Sammartino's final WWE run of the mid-80's. Why should Hulk Hogan's fans pay to see him "lose" now? It's not like he's going to win any World Championships any time soon, and it's not as if losing to him is going to ruin your career. Not in the least. He's harmless, and losing to him in 2006 is harmless. It's a "special attraction" match meant to entertain the Hulkamaniacs, with no effect on the opponent's career progress. One day HHH will be there. We'll see how he justifies his position then.
Also, it wasn't Hulk's knee that caused him to back out of the rematch. He simply decided he didn't want to work with Shawn Michaels again. He didn't like how personal Shawn was taking things on television and decided he didn't want to be a part of anything he was involved in. End of story. So, HHH, why did Hulk Hogan go ahead and wrestle Randy Orton last week despite his knee issues?
One last parting shot: I'm sure you all read the reports about HHH wanting to "out-pop" Hulk last week at SummerSlam. Two words for ya: "professional jealousy."
