Hogan a No-Go for Mania? That's what he Says
Maybe there is too much bad blood right now between Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan to get a deal done in time for him to appear at WrestleMania 23. That at least is the indication that has been given following Hogan appearing on Bubba the Love Sponge on Thursday, as he stated that as of right now there has been no communication about him coming in for Mania, and that he is not going to appear or wrestle on the show. This goes beyond what has been the plan from the word go for the mega event, where Hogan was not only supposed to be on the show, but was originally supposed to have a big part in it with a match.The idea that has been rumored for awhile was that Hogan was to come in as a part of the Trump-McMahon feud, and was to be wrestling "for" Trump vs a wrestler picked by McMahon. Early on it was said that the wrestler was going to be either Khali, Umaga or Vince's son Shane. Where this will now go from here is anyones guess. Trump will be on RAW this upcoming Thursday (show will tape Monday in Portland), and if the angle with Hogan is to go forward, they are going to have to make amends really quick.
Hogan stated, and this could very well be the case, that Vince is mad about Hulk's last appearance on Bubba's show. In that show, a phone call came in and was live over the air from Ann Russo, who works for WWE. She didn't realize she was on the air, and was calling Hogan to get his opinion about which wrestlers should be inducted in this years WWE Hall of Fame, which will take place the night before Mania. Many inside the company, including Vince, were furious about that call, and the fact that the list that the company had worked out was leaked over the air.
Make no mistake about it, there would be a pretty big void if Hogan does not make it on the show. Forget the fact that it's Mania, but how about the fact that its the 20th anniversary of WrestleMania III, the show that many regard as the greatest card that the company has ever had. It was that night in front of over 93,000 that the main event was a WWF Championship match between Hogan and the late Andre the Giant. The event was held just outside Detroit at the Silverdome, another reason why the WWE is doing Mania there this year. Mania III is held is such high regard that they are releasing a two-disc DVD March 6th with special interviews and extras from the event.
They still have plenty of time to mend fences and play nice for the event. Mania is April 1st, which still eight weeks from Sunday. The event can go on without Hogan to say the least, but fans want him there, you know that Hogan wants to be a part, and if McMahon can get over pouting about the whole situation, then something still can be done. If it will be or not is another story.
