WrestleMania VIII: A Match That Was Planned, but Never Happened

WrestleMania VIII: A Match That Was Planned, but Never Happened



What match am I referencing to with an article title of “WrestleMania VIII: A Match That Was Planned, but Never Happened?” Everyone had to of heard of the biggest angle Vince McMahon and creative wanted to do in 1991 when they brought in Ric Flair was to have him face Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania in 1992. The “Nature Boy” came into the WWE with the old NWA/WCW World Heavyweight Championship title belt, claiming to be “the real World’s Champion” and the “Immortal One” was the WWF World Heavyweight Champion, so something had to give. And with this as well, since Hogan became the WWF Champ back in 1984 people were wondering who the man, either Hogan or Flair is. The intent of the article is my intake of why I am happy this match never happened at WrestleMania VIII and to answer the long awaited question: Who’s the better wrestler, Hulk Hogan or Ric Flair?

Thinking about it while on a walk, listening to different wrestling radio shows, they mentioned something about Hogan-Flair match was planned for Mania VIII but never happened. I started to think of what the match would have been like if it would have happened. It would have been the biggest match of WrestleMania history, hands down, up to that match, and still would stand as one of the biggest, if not the biggest, now days. Everyone knows that the “Nature Boy” walked into the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana as WWF World Heavyweight Champion, the title he won only months earlier at the Royal Rumble, in the Rumble match itself, entering number three (cheap plug for Flair).

But personally, I don’t think this match would have been more than a one-sided affair. What do I mean by such? Hulk Hogan is McMahon’s baby, right? Right. Is Ric Flair McMahon’s baby, a ‘McMahon Creation?’ No. Ric Flair represented the competition to McMahon; Flair represented the Carolinas, Jim Crocket Promotions, World Championship Wrestling. I couldn’t see this match being more than 12 to 15 minutes, Flair dominating for about ten minutes, Hogan “Hulking Up” and beating Flair with the Big Boot and the Leg Drop and that would be it.

Here’s what I would love going back and seeing, if this match would of happened at the Hoosier Dome. We all know Hogan’s the greatest at 13 minute matches and Flair is great at 60 minute matches. Have those two go for 25 to 30 minutes. Hogan coming out first, doing his cupping-hand-to-ear-to-get-fans-up-and-cheering routine and then Flair coming out, having the WWF belt over his left shoulder, and when he unrobes, he’s wearing the World’s Championship, and throws the WWF belt down and holds up the World’s title, showing the world that the World title is more dominate than the WWF title. The match itself, I would love seeing going back and forth, and at the end, at everyone’s expense, Flair getting a pair of brass knuckles from his associate Mr. Perfect, knock out the Hulkster, put him in the Figure Four Leg Lock, the ref counting the shoulders, and it being over. Flair can get one over Hogan with the Figure Four and Hogan can get a dirty lose from Flair, which would set up their next match at the King of the Ring. And have this feud even go out to Summer Slam or even Survivor Series. I would love to see that.

Now to the other question that I posed at the beginning of this article, Who’s the greatest wrestler: Hulk Hogan or Ric Flair? Come on now, should I please the public or go with my opinion? Screw the public opinion, the greatest wrestler is Ric Flair, hands down! Why such a statement? Ric Flair never had to go outside of wrestling to make a name for himself. Ric Flair won more World Championships than Hogan did. Ric Flair can actually wrestle, Hogan can’t. If you ask any casual fan who’s the greatest wrestler, yeah, they’ll say Hogan. Why? Hogan’s the most profitable wrestler, I’ll admit that. But come on! What can Hogan do in the ring, technically, or holds wise, other than his boot to the face and dropping his leg on someone? Nothing, really. He can get the fans into his matches and can draw big matches and cards, I’ll give him that, but being a fan of this great industry since the late ‘80’s, I can’t help but be supportive of Ric Flair. I’m sure I hit a nerve with most people, so here’s my conclusion for my argument that Flair is better than Hogan. Flair can make anyone look better than what they were. Hogan couldn’t do that. Flair can go any distance in a match, time length, to make the match and his opponent look great. Hogan was done and out of the shower within 30 minutes. Do I really need to say more? I don’t believe I have to, so this is it about this all. This is Eric Darsie from Minnesota, on a dark Minnesota night, a cool night, jamming out to Elton John, goodbye!