There have been a few instances that the WWE Universe has seen true dream matchups. Hogan vs The Rock, Brock Lesnar vs Goldberg, and The Rock vs John Cena. However, there are many more scenarios that seemed impossible…until now.
There are so many combinations of superstars that we have never seen and probably will never see play out in the ring. Well, we are providing an exciting alternative. We will break down what these dream matches would look like. There are a lot of matches on the docket but we are kicking things off with the biggest match that never was.
WWE Fantasy Matchups : Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan
Tale Of The Tape
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Height: 6’2
Weight: 250 lbs
Signature Move: Lou Thesz Press
Finishing Move: Stone Cold Stunner
Hulk Hogan
Height: 6’7
Weight: 300 lbs
Signature Move: Big Boot
Finishing Move: Atomic Leg Drop
The Buildup
You would be hard-pressed to find two bigger names in sports entertainment than Stone Cold Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan. Hogan transformed the world of professional wrestling during the Golden Era of the 1980s while Austin was the poster boy for arguably the greatest era in history, the Attitude Era.
Hogan was a five-time WWE Champion in his first stint with the WWE, winning his first in 1984 after defeating The Iron Sheik. His last title reign before his departure to WCW came to an end nearly ten years later after he lost to Yokozuna at the 1993 King of the Ring. He would win the championship one more time during his 2002 return for a total of six WWE Championship reigns.
Hogan joined WCW in 1994 and would continue his Hall of Fame career by capturing the WCW World Championship an additional six times. He is most known in WCW for being one of the three founding members of the iconic NWO.
He would win the Tag Team Championships with Edge in 2002 and won the Royal Rumble in back-to-back years. He was also the first superstar to win multiple Rumble matches, accomplishing the feat in 1990 and 1991.
Austin debuted for WWE in 1996 as a member of Ted DiBiase’s Millon Dollar Corporation. Austin was crowned the 1996 King of the Ring after defeating Jake Roberts in the finals and his career took off. This was the setting of his now infamous “Austin 3:16” promo.
After about a year and a half with the company, Austin won his first real championship gold by beating Owen Hart for the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam 1997. This was the match he suffered his neck injury that ended his career a lot earlier than it should have, but that is a whole other article.
Austin beat Hart again at the 1997 Survivor Series for his second IC title. The Rattlesnake won his first of three Royal Rumbles in 1997, as dirty handed as it may have been. He won his second straight Rumble in 1998 and would go on to defeat Shawn Micheals at WrestleMania XIV for his first WWE Championship. He would hold the belt a total of six times during his WWE tenure. He also held the Tag Team belts on four occasions with four different partners.
The Match
Hogan enters the match first in his patented red and yellow ring attire. While slapping the hands of his fans, mostly the young kids who idolize the Immortal One. Hogan captures the innocence of his young fanbase with his “Eat your vitamins and say your prayers” message.
After flexing and posing for the WWE Universe, the crowd begins to stir with anticipations as they await the shattering glass that signals the arrival of Hogan’s opponent. After a few silent moments, the audience finally gets their wish.
The pop echoes throughout the entire arena as Austin appears on the ramp and begins his trek down to the ring. As he climbs the ring steps and enters the ring. He hits the four ring posts as his fans show him their appreciation.
Hogan and Austin get face-to-face in the middle of the ring as the tension is cuttable with a knife. As Hogan looks to the crowd, Austin strikes first. He hits a succession of right hands but Hogan blocks one as he retaliates with his own rights.
Hogan gets the first advantage, overpowering Austin and getting him into the corner. Before he can land one of his punches though, Austin ducks and gets Hogan pinned in the corner. Stone Cold begins to stomp the proverbial mudhole on Hulk.
Hogan slides outside of the ring to try and collect himself while the referee stops Austin from exiting the ring and continuing his onslaught. Hogan recuperates on the outside but Austin finally slides out to further engage the fight.
However, Hogan is able to Irish whip Austin into the ring steps. He proceeds to pick him up and hurls him into the ring post, gaining even more of an upper hand. Hulk gets Austin back in the rings as he has a firm grasp on the match.
The Match Continued
Hogan beats down The Rattlesnake and you can tell the end is drawing near. Hogan sends Austin into the ropes and attempts a Big Boot but Austin avoids it. He rebounds off of the ropes and hits the Lou Thesz Press on Hogan.
Austin follows that up with his patented elbow and attempts the pin. After a quick kick out from Hogan, Hulk gets to one knee and starts “Hulking Up” on Steve.
After a series of punches, Hogan Irish whips Austin and this time lands the Big Boot. He hits the ropes and connects his Atomic Leg Drop. Hogan goes for the cover and with only a fraction of a second left before three, Stone Cold kicks out.
Hogan picks Austin up off the mat and attempts to bodyslam him. Austin slips out from behind and as Hogan turns to face him, Austin nails his Stone Cold Stunner.
After a little trash talking from Austin, he pins Hogan for the 1, 2, 3 to prove he is the best in WWE. He has some celebratory beers and the fans lose their minds as Hogan joins in the beer swilling fun.
Austin versus Hogan is one of the all-time matches that we were never able to see. The list is a very long one but Sports Al Dente is going to go down that list one-by-one to deliver those dream matchups. What would have happened if Undertaker had actually faced Sting? What about Kurt Angle taking on Bret Hart? We will be giving you one dream matchup analysis every week as a part of our premium content.