Hulk Hogan/WWE Conference Call Recap – One More Match?, More

Credit: Larry Csonka

The call started at 1:01PM ET. The call is to hype this weekend’s one-hour WrestleMania special, which will air on NBC.

Hulk Hogan is featured today. Softball question to kick off the call, Hogan is asked about his favorite WM moment. Slamming Andre of course.

Hogan says that the business moves so fast these days, and that is the big difference in the business from WM 1 to WM 30. When asked about who he would have loved to have faced, he names Steve Austin.

Hogan is asked about the opening segment of WM 30 with he, Austin and Rock. Hogan says there was nothing from creative as far as input. He had to do a press conference prior to the open, and blames Stephanie (jokingly) about the Silver Dome/Super Dome mess up because he answered so many questions about Andre. There was no prep work between he, Austin and Rock for the segment.

Hogan says what is old is new again, and thinks that wrestling will get back to slowing down, telling a story and allowing less to be more.

Hogan is asked about his best in ring performance at WM, and says that each match was so different. Savage was so smooth in the ring, and it made it easy. Warrior, he had to walk Warrior through it to tell the story. With Andre, he just listened to Andre, who set up the passing of the torch. The match with Rock was heavily played off of the crowd. He notes the Rock match as a personal favorite.

He is asked about this year’s WM and his favorite match, and he says he loved Lesnar vs. Taker. He watched it backstage, and says he knew that Taker got knocked out 2-minutes in. To see him carry on in a match with Lesnar was impressive, says Taker is a true professional.

Hogan discusses his relationship with Vince, and the fact that they worked a match at WM. Hogan says Vince would never ask anyone to do something he wouldn’t. Hogan didn’t have to hold back, Vince took it and was great. He adds that Vince lived through the wrestlers, but was one of the best as far as knowing his timing and doing things at the right time.

Hogan is asked about the streak ending, and says it is hard to judge the decision not knowing Taker’s personal situation. He is torn on it, especially with Sting being around now. He thinks Vince has a plan, and will not second-guess Vince’s decision.

When asked about possibly getting into the ring at WM 30, Hogan says that it was never really close. He adds that Piper was shooting his angle for a possible match, but he has had so many issues with his back that it was just never a possibility for him. he had 9 back surgeries, and feels that he is doing better, but now has to work on his knees and elbows due to arthritis.

He is asked about making peace with Warrior, and wanted to talk with him at the event, but was asked to back off and not talk to Warrior until after WM. He tried to honor the request, but then they saw each other and they had their talk and Hulk asked for forgiveness. They made peace, and Hogan is thankful for that due to the timing of Warrior’s passing.

Hogan is asked about the newer crop of talent, and puts over all three former Shield members. Ambrose reminds him of Piper on another level. Rollins does amazing things in the ring, and then there is Reigns, who he looks at as a larger than life version of himself. They are babies in wrestling and have a great future ahead of them. Daniel Bryan stepped up, changed the business for a lot of guys and allows the fans to live through him as a workingman’s champion.

Hogan says that Nick isn’t looking to get involved in wrestling, he got banged up and is now working as a DJ. The wrestling was a flavor of the week thing for Nick.

Hogan says that he rewatches a lot of old matches, especially some of his Japan work. He says he forgets a lot of what he did, and it is cool to go back and see that.

He puts over how big Rocky III was for him. Stallone was such a huge star, and was looked at as bigger than life. And then Hogan got the role and stood toe to toe with him, and it clicked for everyone.

Discussing SNME, he felt that the big network deal could be huge, and the NBC relationship was huge for WWE and NBC; it was a good idea for all involved.

He discusses his relationship with Mr. T, they had the same agent and became friends that way. Hogan did the A-Team, and then T came in for WM. T hasn’t changed since the day he met him.

He felt a ton of pressure at WM 30, and was glad to be accepted by the crowd. Hogan is also asked about the way WWE is being careful and treating older talent like he and Flair. He says that there would have to be an extreme circumstance for him to get into the ring, but now, he wouldn’t feel comfortable doing so. He’d love to down the road, but not now.

Hogan loves wrestling, and says that it is as old as time. Warriors battling, good vs. evil, and the WWE delivers guaranteed entertainment every time out for a good price with the Network.

Hogan admits to being a beach bum in his free time with his wife, kids and his dogs.

The call ended at 1:33PM ET.

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