Mike Rickard
The Enduring Legacy of
HULK HOGAN (Part 13)
Mike Rickard is a lifelong wrestling fan and retired bank robber as well as the author of the book Wrestling's Greatest Moments. He can be reached here and on Facebook.
The second round began with the much anticipated rematch between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. Prior to the match, Hulk Hogan cut one of the most surreal promos in his career. Hogan talked of slamming Andre the Giant into the Trump Plaza and sending it and everyone into the ocean. Hogan advised Donald Trump to let go of his worldly possessions and hang on to his family. Hogan promised his Hulkamaniacs that if they couldn’t swim, that they should jump on the biggest back in the world and he’d doggie paddle them all to safety. Hogan then backstroked away, prepared for his match.
The time for hype was over. Andre the Giant made his way to the ring, escorted by “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and DiBiase’s bodyguard Virgil. Hulk Hogan made his way to the ring, sliding under the bottom rope. Andre was waiting for him and proceeded to attack the Hulkster, using his devastating headbutts to stun his opponent. Hogan fought back but like his previous matches with Andre, he found it difficult to knock the “Eight Wonder of the World” off of his feet. To make matters worse, DiBiase and Virgil interfered in the match wherever they could. At one point, Hogan grabbed DiBiase and Andre and gave them a double noggin knocker, momentarily gaining some momentum.
With just twenty minutes to win the match, Hogan pulled out all of the stops. He finally seemed to have things going his way when he forced Andre into the corner. Hogan prepared to slam Andre. He knew that if he could slam the Giant, he might be able to repeat his victory from Wrestlemania III. However while Virgil distracted the referee, Ted DiBiase snuck into the ring with a steel chair and cracked it over Hogan’s back as the Hulkster was trying to hoist Andre up. Prevented from slamming Andre, Hogan turned his attention to DiBiase who promptly fled the ring.
Hogan picked up the steel chair and went after Andre. By now, the referee’s attention had turned back to the ring and he saw Hogan blast Andre with the chair. Then Andre grabbed the chair and clobbered Hogan. Announcers Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse “The Body” Ventura wondered what was going on as were the members in the audience.
Meanwhile, Hogan went out after the “Million Dollar Man”. DiBiase’s bodyguard knew his role and he prevented Hogan from getting to his client. Unfortunately for Virgil, he incurred the Hulkster’s wrath and was suplexed on the floor. DiBiase got away, ready for his second round match against Don Muraco.
The announcer revealed that both men had been disqualified. This was an interesting decision to say the least because in most cases, the referee would have disqualified Hogan immediately for using the steel chair. Regardless, this meant that both Hogan and Andre had been eliminated. That meant that there would be a new WWF champion crowned after the tournament. After years of Hulk Hogan carrying the WWF banner, a new wrestler was poised to lead the company.