The Forgotten WCW Dream Match, Explained
Mia Russell Highlights
- Hogan's perception of Bret as a tag team specialist and a smaller guy prevented their dream match from happening in WWE. #MissedOpportunity
- The Hogan vs Bret match in WCW on Nitro was lackluster and ended in a disappointing disqualification, leaving fans unsatisfied. #Anticlimactic
- Real-life animosity and personal differences between Hogan and Bret hindered the possibility of a monumental showdown. #ChemistryMatters
In the realm of professional wrestling, some matchups transcend the squared circle, becoming the stuff of legends long before the bell rings. One such encounter, steeped in anticipation and unfulfilled promises, was the clash between two iconic figures: Hulk Hogan and Bret "The Hitman" Hart. As wrestling enthusiasts eagerly awaited the collision of these titans, whispers of backstage tension and real-life animosity swirled. However, when the moment finally arrived in the WCW arena, the outcome left fans bewildered and yearning for what might have been. Yes, Hulk Hogan vs Bret Hart did happen in WCW, but it was anything but the dream match that fans had wanted for years.
Why Hulk Hogan Vs Bret Hart Never Happened In WWE
Did Hulk Hogan Not Want To Lose To Bret Hart?
The anticipation for a monumental clash between Bret "The Hitman" Hart and Hulk Hogan reached its peak in the early 1990s, captivating the imaginations of wrestling enthusiasts worldwide. As two of the most iconic figures in the industry, the prospect of a showdown for a major title fueled the dreams of fans who craved a match that would define an era. During their shared tenure in WWE, whispers of a potential encounter between Hogan and Hart began circulating, creating a buzz that transcended the realms of speculation. The stage seemed set for a momentous showdown at SummerSlam 1993, an event that could have seen these titans go head-to-head in a battle for supremacy. However, as later revealed by Jim Ross on Grilling JR, the clash never materialized due to Hogan's perception of Bret. He said:
“I think that maybe Hogan still perceived Bret as the tag team specialist with the Anvil and the Hart Foundation, and he didn’t want to lose to a much smaller tag team guy. I can see old school guys thinking that, and Hogan was an old school guy. He was a territory guy. He had a lot of those old school principles in his mindset. I think what happened, and this is my own opinion, along the way after Hogan won the title, there became an impasse on money.”
Hulk Hogan & Bret Hart's Real Life Rivalry That Started In WWE, Explained
They are two of the biggest stars in WWE history, but Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart have never got along.The Forgotten Hulk Hogan Vs Bret Hart Match In WCW
Hulk Hogan Vs Bret Hart Happened On A 1998 WCW Nitro Episode
Date | Location | Duration | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
September 28, 1998 | WCW Monday Nitro | 9:54 | Bret Hart (DQ) |
The much-anticipated clash between Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart finally materialized in the realm of WCW, but the execution left fans with a bitter taste. On that fateful night of September 28, 1998, during a Monday Nitro episode, the wrestling world witnessed what was expected to be an epic showdown turn into a lackluster 10-minute bout. Hogan took control early in the match, showcasing his signature dominance. However, what could have been a classic encounter quickly turned into a disappointment. There was no real build to the match, as it was just announced randomly for free TV rather than a PPV, which Hart criticized in his book. In the match, Hogan, in a calculated move, began targeting Bret Hart's legs and knees, a strategy aimed at wearing down his opponent.
Before Bret could mount a significant response, the match descended into chaos. Sting, accompanied by the NWO Wolfpac, stormed the ring, causing a disqualification. The sudden interference abruptly halted the contest. The decision to end the match in such an anticlimactic fashion left fans bewildered and unsatisfied, especially considering the years of anticipation leading up to this encounter. Adding to the frustration, this was not the last time these two legends faced off in WCW. They squared off in five matches on WCW house shows after this encounter, and every single one of them had concluded with the similarly unsatisfying result of a no-contest.
Bret Hart Trashes Hulk Hogan's Wrestling Talent "He Didn't Know Very Much"
Bret Hart wasn't at all impressed by Hulk Hogan's wrestling back in the day.Why Hulk Hogan Vs Bret Hart Never Happened On A Bigger Stage
Hulk Hogan And Bret Hart Didn't Like Each Other
The intricate web of real-life animosity and personal differences between Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart is well documented, and it significantly impacted their in-ring chemistry and, consequently, the possibility of a monumental showdown. The backstage heat between these two wrestling icons had its roots in their earlier tenure with WWE, where both had achieved immense success but had contrasting views on the business. Eric Bischoff, the mastermind behind WCW's creative direction, dove deeper into this contentious dynamic on his 83 Weeks podcast. He revealed:
“There were issues obviously between Hogan and Bret. Managing them both, based on their own strongly held beliefs and perspectives, was a challenge. It was a compromise. Every one of those no contest finishes was a compromise. They were both deeply embedded in their positions, and it was hard to get him off of it. It was one of the reasons why we never really had the ultimate match with them that we wanted to have. And the buildup is the chemistry between them. Now, they could be around each other. They could work together in the same ring as you’ve outlined many times. But when it came to being in the main event for the title, man that was just tough chemistry. So it’s the only way I can say it, really.”
Bischoff emphasized that the clash of ideologies and personal grievances extended beyond control. Bischoff elaborated on the lack of trust between Hogan and Hart, highlighting how this fundamental element of collaboration was missing and, as a result, hindered any attempts to organize a major, high-stakes encounter between the two.
