Hulk Hogan, a true legend in the world of professional wrestling and a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, recently sat down for an insightful conversation at Hogan’s Hangout. During this candid discussion, Hogan revealed a fascinating piece of wrestling history—a missed opportunity to face another iconic superstar, John Cena, at WrestleMania 25. This revelation left fans wondering: What led to the cancellation of this epic showdown?
Before his tenure with TNA Wrestling in 2009, Hulk Hogan was on the cusp of making a triumphant return to WWE for a blockbuster match against John Cena at WrestleMania 25 in the same year. This surprising revelation sheds new light on Hogan’s wrestling journey. He hadn’t graced a WWE ring since his victory over Randy Orton at SummerSlam in 2006. In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Hogan unveiled that the match against Cena was practically a done deal.
The two wrestling icons were poised for an unforgettable clash, one that was destined to become a classic. Hogan recalled, “I said I’d do it, and Vince and I were talking every week, and we were putting the plans together.” Hogan provided insights into the planning process, illustrating how he and WWE chairman Vince McMahon were actively collaborating on the match’s details.
However, fate had other plans. A sudden and unfortunate back injury derailed Hogan’s dreams of returning to WrestleMania while he was in the midst of a conversation with McMahon. Hogan described the moment when his back gave out while discussing the match with McMahon, leading to an urgent need for surgery. This marked the third or fourth back surgery for Hogan at that time, forcing him to withdraw from the highly anticipated bout. He recalled, “My back went out when I was talking to Vince on the phone. I had to go right in immediately and get cut on.”
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As a result of Hogan’s unfortunate injury, plans for the Hogan vs. Cena showdown gradually dissipated into uncertainty. Wrestling enthusiasts were left to ponder what might have been. Ultimately, Hogan remarked, “I thought that was going to be my last match, then, you know. But that never happened, and then it just kind of faded away.”
In Hogan’s absence, John Cena went on to face Big Show and Edge at WrestleMania 25, eventually capturing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the grand event.
As the interview progressed, Hogan also shared his personal “Mount Rushmore” of pro wrestling legends, paying tribute to iconic figures who have left an indelible mark on the sport.
Stephen’s Insight:
Hulk Hogan’s revelation about the canceled WrestleMania 25 match with John Cena offers a glimpse into the unpredictable nature of the wrestling world and leaves fans pondering the potential classics that might have been.
