Professional wrestling is a sport teeming with dramatic stories, shocking twists, and memorable characters. One of the most iconic moments in its history is when Hulk Hogan, the beloved hero of the masses, turned his back on his fans and joined the New World Order (NWO). But according to former WCW head booker Kevin Sullivan, there were backstage concerns that this pivotal heel turn might never happen.
Sullivan’s recent revelations on “Tuesdays With The Taskmaster” podcast provide a riveting behind-the-scenes look at Hogan’s WCW heel turn. July 7 marked the 27th anniversary of this defining moment, when the Hulkster shocked the world by joining Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to form the NWO.
In the lead-up to this event, however, Sullivan admitted that he feared Hogan would back out. Despite Hogan’s established superstar status, he had people in his corner encouraging him to reverse his decision. To counteract this, Sullivan utilized some savvy management techniques to keep Hogan on track.
“The night he turned heel, he stayed at my house because I lived a mile from the Ocean Center,” Sullivan explained. He even went as far as denying Hogan’s agent a room in his house, ensuring that he could maintain a close watch over Hogan and prevent any last-minute changes of heart.
Sullivan had no backup plan if Hogan decided to pull out. He had considered other wrestling icons like Sting and Viscera (known as Mabel back then), but both were deemed unsuitable. Sting, as Sullivan put it, was “too WCW” to be credible as a turncoat, and Viscera simply wouldn’t fit in with Hall and Nash. The decision hinged on Hogan, adding an extra layer of tension to the event.
The NWO storyline has become synonymous with WCW. Its dramatic beginnings were electrifying, capturing audiences worldwide. However, as time passed, the faction grew unwieldy and difficult to manage. One of its founding members, Kevin Nash, admitted that the group’s utilization wasn’t as he’d originally envisioned. His dream was for the NWO to take over “WCW Nitro” and rebrand it as “NWO Nitro.”
Sullivan’s recollections paint an engrossing picture of the chaos and uncertainty that often lies behind the curtain of professional wrestling. Hogan’s heel turn – a move that would change the landscape of wrestling – was not as straightforward as it seemed. This only underscores the dramatic and unpredictable world of professional wrestling, where the lines between reality and kayfabe often blur, resulting in unforgettable moments that keep fans on the edge of their seats.