Pro Wrestling Chronicle

Match # 109: Hollywood Hogan vs. Bret Hart (Nitro 9/28/98)

This was a match that should have happened in the WWF sometime in 1993 to solidify Hart as a top guy. It never happened, of course, and we got Mania 9 instead. As it is you’d think this would still be a big deal in 1998, and it shows you the craziness of the Monday Night Wars that this TV match is their first match up (I believe it’s their first, as I don’t think they ever did this on PPV).

The first six minutes of this are actually pretty good by Hogan match standards. The fans hate him and chant “Hogan sucks”. Bret doesn’t get much babyface heat, but he keeps the match moving, outwrestling Hogan. Hogan cheats to win, and works over Bret’s already injured knee well. Then, at the six minute mark, Sting runs down and I remember this match. The first Bret-Hulk match was a total angle match.

Typically bad Nitro story telling for the main events. Bret is no more hurt than any other wrestler getting beat up, but Sting runs down with the Wolf Pack and decides now the match will be he and Hogan. Okay, that’s a lame bait-and-switch. For some reason they bring a stretcher down for Bret right away, even though he hasn’t given up and the injury is garden variety stuff. Sting does do his job, and the fans get into the new match. Hogan then beats up Sting while the NWO black and white beats up the Red and black (confused yet), and Bret Hart limps back to the ring. Sting now has Hogan beat, and Bret turns on him. Bret makes sure to bounce around, so we know the knee is okay, so apparently all the knee work and guard rail shots Hogan gave him were “fake”. Fans just throw shit at the ring, and why wouldn’t you. Hogan and Bret destroy Sting, and I am effectively dumber for having watched the last ten minutes. Rarely does anything involving Hogan ever turn out entertaining. Not really a match, and only a half decent angle. 2 stars and 4/10.