Hulk Hogan Title Feud Was Scrapped Due To Medical Emergency
Hulk Hogan had the last world title reign in WWE that lasted 1,000 days – until the 27th of May 2023 that is – but his legendary run could have been cut short had a medical emergency for his in-ring rival not played a part.
During an appearance at Steel City Con, Jesse Ventura revealed that he was set for a major WWE Title feud with Hulk Hogan in late 1984 but fate and destiny had other plans for The Body:
“I’m a great believer sometimes in fate and destiny and I think fate and destiny play somewhat a role, for whatever reason that might be. Like the night before I was to wrestle Hulk Hogan for the World Heavyweight Title in Los Angeles, I ended up in critical condition in the San Diego hospital with massive blood clots from 28 days of flying in a row.
“Many times in life when something dastardly happens to you, it leads to something good as a result of it, and I never got my shot at Hogan … but what did I get to do? While I was convalescing, Vince McMahon called me and he said Jesse, I have an idea. And I said, what is it Vince? He said, we’ve never had a villain on the microphone before, you think you could do color commentating and broadcast matches?”
As a result, Jesse Ventura went on to have an iconic broadcast career with WWE, changing the face of commentary forever in pro wrestling. Ventura called many of the first WrestleManias as he built a strong on-screen relationship with Gorilla Monsoon.
Hulk Hogan held the WWE Title in that reign until February 1988 when he lost the gold in controversial fashion to Andre The Giant who sold the gold moments later to The Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase.