Hulk Hogan’s WWE return is certain to include an actual match with another wrestler if the Hulkster has his way, though it turns WWE fans are not exactly enthusiastic about the idea. But what would a general audience think?
In a related report by The Inquisitr , it’s rumored that Sting’s WWE match may coincide with Hulk Hogan’s birthday bash at Monday Night RAW this week.
Considering the wrestler is about to become 61 years old, many wonder whether Hulk Hogan’s injuries would prevent a match that would be worthwhile. After all, the man has no knees and years of doing the leg drop have him with a severely bad back that has required nine surgeries at last count. Hogan admits he probably won’t be able to do some of his signature moves, although he claims he’s now back in shape and his back is “perfect” enough to handle the ring again.
Considering the interest in a Hulk Hogan WWE match, or lack thereof, Cageside Seats decided to do an informal poll that should give us an idea of how popular the idea might be. So far, they’ve had 547 votes in total, and 29 percent said yes, while an overwhelming 71 percent said Hulkamania needs to take a chill pill.
But anyone answering that poll is probably a big sports fan. Vince McMahon is trying to gain a more general audience since the WWE Network subscription numbers are way behind the original estimated signup rate. Besides the infamous WWE layoffs and cutting costs, management needs a way to broaden their audience and they know that Hulk Hogan’s popularity with the general audience may suck in some more eyeballs to the WWE Network.
For example, the Marketing Arm’s Celebrity DBI data claims Hogan stands tall among fellow celebrities when it comes to name brand recognition:
“Hulk Hogan has a 96% awareness among a general population in the US This is one of the highest awareness levels of any athlete/celebrity in the US. Michael Jordan (98%); George Forman (96%); Lance Armstrong (96%). For additional context, Kobe has a 91% awareness, Peyton Manning 88%. Sylvester Stallone and Clint Eastwood also have 96% awareness in the US.”
Out of the people who know about Hulk Hogan, 56 percent think he’s an effective product spokesperson and he’s considered as appealing as Kobe Bryant and Tony Romo. Vince McMahon has a product to sell, and he needs it done fast, so Hogan is likely to stay around to get the job done.
Assuming there is a Hulk Hogan WWE match, who do you think he should wrestle? Or do you think it’s not worth having the old timer risk ending up like the above photo?