Hulk Hogan Claims He Never Pulled the Creative Control Card in WCW

Hulk Hogan shocked the wrestling world when he turned heel and joined forces with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to form the New World Order in 1996 (nWo), forever changing the landscape of professional wrestling.

At WCW’s Bash at the Beach, Hall and Nash teased the presence of a mysterious third member as they battled WCW stars Randy Savage, Lex Luger, and Sting. When Hogan entered the arena, many fans anticipated he would aid WCW in their fight against the Outsiders.

In a conversation with Logan Paul on his Impaulsive podcast, The Hulkster reminisced about the events leading up to that historic moment. Hogan revealed that he reached out to Eric Bischoff, insisting that he, not Sting, should be the third man. Hogan believed his WWE background made him the perfect fit to stand alongside Hall and Nash, both former WWE stars who had no idea about his arrival that night.

Hogan explained that despite his assurances, Bischoff was sceptical that he would go through with it. Even on the day of the event, Hogan remained hidden in a hotel room, only showing up at the last moment. The former WWE Champion concluded by stating that despite having creative control, Hogan never used it that night or during his entire tenure in WCW.

“I called Eric (Bischoff) up, ‘Who is your third man?’ We’re going to go with Sting.’ ‘Bro, he’s not WWE.’ Scott and Kev are WWE. Sting has nothing to do (with WWE). I’m WWE from head to toe. I’m the third man. Eric goes, ‘Really, will you do it?’ ‘Yeah, I’ll do it.’ Eric didn’t even believe I would do it. I flew on a jet to Daytona and hid out in a hotel room. I told Eric, ‘Call me when the last match is in the ring before the main event.’ Eric didn’t even think I was coming from the hotel. He had Sting ready to go. They didn’t believe I would do it. I had creative control. I never used it. Never used it the whole time. I didn’t use it this night either. When I walked out, Scott and Kevin almost shit. They had no idea I was coming out. It was kinda cool.” 

What followed was a defining moment in wrestling history, as Hogan’s heel turn and the formation of the nWo propelled WCW to new heights and ignited the famous Monday Night Wars, but WCW’s ultimate closure in 2001 paved the way for Hogan to return to WWE.

Since then, Hulk Hogan has made sporadic appearances and recently revealed that he had inked a new five-year deal with WWE. While years have passed since that night, it will forever be etched in history as one of the significant moments in professional wrestling.

What are your thoughts on Hulk Hogan revealing that he never used creative control during his stint in WCW? Sound off in the comments!