I finally got my laptop back from Best Buy (was writing these on my phone and old ass tablet) so will be able to extrapolate a little more then I had on the previous “What Ifs.”
If you’re a wrestling nerd, which I assume we all are, Im sure you have discussed this at some point in your life. Its argueably the biggest money drawing angle EVER, with huge repercussions so I’d be remiss if I didnt ask about it here…
What If Hulk Hogan turns down the proposed Bash At The Beach/NWO heel turn and insists on staying face? Since its been awhile, a recap of the wrestling landscape at the time might help. Hogan left WWF in summer of 1993, and joined WCW in June of 1994. In addition to offering him lots of money, WCW offers him cross promotional opportunities with Turner broadcasting and COMPLETE CREATIVE CONTROL over his WCW persona. Hogan starts appearing on TV in July 1994 with essentially the same red and yellow persona he had used for over a decade in the WWF. In the Hulksters first WCW match he defeats Ric Flair for the WCW title belt at Bash At The Beach. Hogan then defends his title and feuds with Flair, The Butcher, and Vader until he eventually loses his title to The Giant at Halloween Havov 1995. During this time, the WCW crowd quickly sours on Hogan. His face reactions, drawing ability and name value slowly start to diminish within WCW. In early 1996 Hogan takes a step back/is pushed aside, depending on who you talk to, and begins to appear less frequently on WCW programming. In the meantime Scott Hall and Kevin Nash make their initial WCW appearance on May 27, 1996 and June 4, 1996, respectively. Nash and Hall then hype a third “outsider” who will help them take over WCW. A 6 man tag match is set for July 7, 1996 at Bash at the Beach, between Hall/Nash/mystery man vs. Savage/Sting/Luger.
In the WWF, Shawn Michaels is headlining SummerSlam vs Vader. Bret Hart is on sabbatical. Mankind, Undetaker, Austin and Sid are amoung those filling out the rest of the roster.
Relevant Monday night ratings: http://prowrestling.wikia.com/wiki/Monday_Night_Wars_Ratings
So now that we are caught up…what happens if Hogan insists on staying face?
Things to consider:
– By all accounts, Sting and Luger were the backup third man options? Do either of those guys have an impact in that role?
– Do Nash and Hall become bigger stars, not being overshadowed by Hogan?
– If Hogan positions himself as the top opposing babyface, does he insist on going over the entrie NWO in 6 months, thus killing the entire angle in about half a year?
– Do Bischoff and managemnt see the money in the NWO and pay Hogan to stay home so he doesnt pull “Hogan things?” If so, who is elevated as the top opposing face?
– Does the overall angle just simmer out without Hogan? Asking it another way, how important was Hogan to the overall draw of the NWO?
– Does WCW ever exert dominance over WWF without an NWO led Hogan?
Possible Scenarios (listed in order of plausibility, in my opinion):
1) Hogan positions himelf as the top opposing babyface, goes over the entire NWO in 6 months, kills the biggest angle dead in the water by 1997 (almost mind numbing to think of the power Hogan had at that point.)
2) Bischoff consolidates backing from the important players, sees the money in the NWO, and pays Hogan just to go away for awhile. Hogan eventually comes back and either joins the NWO or again, insists on going over them.
3) The NWO rolls along for awhile, but never reaches the heights it did with Hogan. The angle eventually simmers out in 12 months, and WWF and WWE run even for 96-98.
This is just a jumpoff point. Go in any direction you like.
** If you have any “What Ifs” feel free to email them to me or post them.