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Post by elliott on Dec 11, 2017 22:02:55 GMT -5
The Rock vs Hulk Hogan (WWE WrestleMania 18 - 3/17/2002)
I know there are better WWE matches, some that haven't even been nominated, but this has a real shot at my #100. This is one of the most fun matches ever. The work is actually perfectly solid shit, but the sheer character work, force of personality and the incredible crowd turn this into one of the most memorable matches ever. This is like the closest thing WWE ever got to Hansen vs Andre.
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Post by Cap on Dec 13, 2017 18:07:48 GMT -5
Second
Easy nomination, virtually no shot at my list. Its fun. Its a big moment. The work is really solid. The in ring double turn is a testament to both of them as skilled big match workers. Even still, it doesn't connect with me like it does so many others. I know that will make me sound like some work-rate jerk, and that really isn't the case (well not completely), but I just think this is a match that is all about the emotional connection and my emotional investment in both these men is not as strong as it is for some, so the match just didn't resonate with me in the same way.
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Post by Kadaveri on Jan 6, 2018 7:48:52 GMT -5
This might make my list. This often gets talked about as a match that isn't any good with the sound off, but I think that fundamentally misses how important crowd interaction is in wrestling. Hulk Hogan is the master at staredowns, they seem so simple yet so many times I've seen others try to make a match seem all epic doing this and it just comes across as tongue in cheek cosplaying. There's no amazing moves in this match, just pure character driven and working of a crowd, but how great it is at that alone makes it worthy of consideration.
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Post by headcheese on May 14, 2018 0:38:13 GMT -5
Third
Maybe one of the biggest matches of all time crowd reaction. If you count the post match, it might be one the post matches. Just really feel good match. Might make 90-100 for me.
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Post by superstarsleeze on Feb 23, 2019 19:07:37 GMT -5
Won't make my list BUT really fun and just an amazing dream match that lives up to the massive hype. I mean this is HOGAN VS ROCK! Neither one has that many classics to their name even though both are good workers. So for them to knock it out of the park with pure charisma speaks volumes about both men. Rock's athleticism and Hogan's timing rule the day!
The Rock vs Hollywood Hulk Hogan - Wrestlemania XVIII
If I had to use one word to describe this match, it would be overachieving. Based on Hogan's mobility and physical health, this match should not have been as good as it was. Even The Rock's character is a modern day version of Ric Flair, no one would confuse him with Flair inside the ring. Yet, Rock put on maybe the best individual performance of his career in this match. This is what the Michaels match should have been. Rock created so much movement and bumped huge for Hogan up until the finish stretch. Anytime Rock got anything going, Hogan would cut him off and thats when Rock take that big bump for Hogan. I think a lot of emphasis gets placed on Hogan's timing and understanding of psychology on why this match is so good. I think that is a good portion of what makes the match great is Hogan feeding the crowd what they want to see the poses and the Hogan spots (which are mostly cheating spots anyways!) it is Rock that is really giving them red meat. He was selling the crowd reaction with his eyes. He was floundering out there running around like a chicken with his head cut off. He would hit one move and end up on his ass the next move. It was pitch perfect. The match got weird during the finish stretch. I don't get why Hogan taps out to the Sharpshooter only to lose the match. I have watched this match three or four times and always forget who wins. I swear I always see the Sharpshooter think they are protecting Rock and going to give Hogan the win. Then Rock kicks out of the Atomic Legdrop!?!?!?! I lose my shit. I am not happy because like the Toronto crowd I am always all in on Hogan. Then The Rock wins and it is like what the fuck! This is clearly Hogan proving that he is willing to play ball. Hogan turning on the NWO and doing the posedown gets all his heat back.
This match proves that wins and losses are a merely booking tool, but do not necessarily have to matter. I think you should book wrestling so wins and losses matter in the context of the storyline. Ultimately, though heat is generated from a myriad of different sources. Hogan not only lost this match, but Rock kicked out of his finish and Hogan tapped to the Sharpshooter! His goose could have been cooked, but because of how strong he was at the little things in this match and a hot post-match angle means that Hogan has enough heat to win the belt the very next month. The three jobs to Cena (Ryback, Wyatt, Rusev, and Owens) does not have to be a death sentence it only is because WWE is so bad at the follow-up.
But I digress, this is a breezy, fun Clash of the Titans match. It showcases Hogan's timing and Rock's bumping and leadership in that ring. I enjoyed the first 2/3s and the post-match more than the finish run, which was very 2002-y with the finisher stealing. Holy shit though that Hulk-Up was one of the most fucking awesome things you will ever see. ****
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Post by elliott on Jun 26, 2023 16:40:39 GMT -5
People should revisit this if they haven't seen it in a long time. It's better than you remember.
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Post by puroraisedme on Oct 24, 2023 0:34:42 GMT -5
Top 3 all time WWE match.
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Post by timm on Nov 12, 2023 17:01:24 GMT -5
Next time I make a top 100 this has to be on it. It's one of the matches that always pops into my mind from time to time. Every now and then I just pull up youtube to watch the Hogan comeback and leg drop with JR's classic "He beat Andre the Giant with that move!" call.
It's like the ultimate SPECTACLE match. Possibly *the* two biggest stars of all time, both totally on and working hard, with one of the greatest crowds of all time. The crowd isn't just great for the noise they make, but for the visual they provide -- the kinetic energy of the crowd you can see on the hardcam adds so, so much to this match.
The work in the opening portion with Hulk hamming it with up with flexing and the Rock's facial reactions are outstanding. Everything from the Rock whipping Hogan onward are some of the best minutes of wrestling ever.
At its best this match is the very best of pro wrestling. Between these moments the work is perfectly solid. Maybe I'd be compelled to sort of split the difference and just rank this as #50.
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Post by elliott on Nov 12, 2023 17:39:08 GMT -5
I ranked this 9th. It's just the best. Ages incredibly well.
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Post by microstatistics on Jan 31, 2024 20:24:17 GMT -5
It's funny how both this and Danielson/Ki Round Robin took place within two weeks of each other: Two matches on opposite ends of wrestling philosophy spectrum that are equally compelling.
I've always liked this match but bumped it up to the *great* tier upon rewatch. It's one of those instances where everything, from the match structure to the crowd investment to the commentary, clicked to deliver something that blew away expectations. For instance, Hogan’s chickenshit heel offense gelling perfectly with the Rock's theatrical selling while a nostalgia-ravaged crowd forced a character re-alignment that both wrestlers adjusted to superbly.
This features probably the best *acting* performance of the Rock's career (Hollywood included); his indignant and disbelieving reactions towards what was transpiring were hilarious. Almost certainly his career match and next to or at the top for Hogan well.
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