Post by TheXtremisT on Aug 4, 2021 6:27:14 GMT -5
We all know about Hogan's politics. I just want to discuss - what was the point of the guys other than Hogan holding the belt, if it did nothing for their careers or build to something greater?
Hogan lost it to Luger on Nitro before Road Wild 1997. Luger held it for 6 days and lost it back to him. Luger had been built up over the previous few months, cutting decent promos and having the fans thoroughly behind him, with the Torture Rack over like rover. His title win was an epic, but brief moment. Luger said when reflecting on that period that it was all Bischoff's idea, and he was the master of "giving the fans a little something, taking it away and want them demanding more". Effectively leading to something bigger. But nothing came of this. Luger slipped down the card, feuded with Bagwell and had a brief, forgettable feud with Randy Savage. He went from being mega over to basically no promo time, mediocre entrances with none of the previous character opportunities that he had earlier in 1997. He won the big one, then did practically nothing. What was the point?
Sting was champion for 2 months, but it didn't really feel like it. He was second fiddle to Hogan/Savage. He had help in winning/defending the title. Lost it to Savage. Clearly a vehicle for not having Sting lose it directly to Hogan, however, given the way they booked Sting's character after this - this didn't do a damn thing to protect Sting/Hogan.
Savage won the title for 1 fn night. Savage was mega over, this loose cannon type. He legit seemed like he could snap at any moment, beat anyone up, and was compelling to watch. I bought into the idea of Savage being a mix between Shamrock's dangerous persona and Stone Cold's toughest SOB on the planet persona. Really felt Savage could have destroyed Hogan and been over as the uncontrollable madman. But nope, snuffed out in one night, and then got absolutely no revenge/retribution against Hogan, almost forgetting he lost the title. Went to feud with Piper and then did nothing.
Goldberg won the world title, again on Nitro, and held it till Starrcade. But also played second fiddle to Hogan on the cards. Nothing new there, but it didn't ultimately hurt Goldberg. Losing the streak did however. After this, what did Goldberg do? Basically nothing other than half-arsed upper midcard feuds.
Nash held the title for less than 1 month and threw it away in the fingerpoke incident. Back to Hogan again. To which the title again was just a prop on Hogan's shoulders. What did Nash gain from this? Absolutely nothing.
DDP, Flair, Savage again all had short title reigns in 1999. What did those do for them? Barely anything.
Hogan lost it to Luger on Nitro before Road Wild 1997. Luger held it for 6 days and lost it back to him. Luger had been built up over the previous few months, cutting decent promos and having the fans thoroughly behind him, with the Torture Rack over like rover. His title win was an epic, but brief moment. Luger said when reflecting on that period that it was all Bischoff's idea, and he was the master of "giving the fans a little something, taking it away and want them demanding more". Effectively leading to something bigger. But nothing came of this. Luger slipped down the card, feuded with Bagwell and had a brief, forgettable feud with Randy Savage. He went from being mega over to basically no promo time, mediocre entrances with none of the previous character opportunities that he had earlier in 1997. He won the big one, then did practically nothing. What was the point?
Sting was champion for 2 months, but it didn't really feel like it. He was second fiddle to Hogan/Savage. He had help in winning/defending the title. Lost it to Savage. Clearly a vehicle for not having Sting lose it directly to Hogan, however, given the way they booked Sting's character after this - this didn't do a damn thing to protect Sting/Hogan.
Savage won the title for 1 fn night. Savage was mega over, this loose cannon type. He legit seemed like he could snap at any moment, beat anyone up, and was compelling to watch. I bought into the idea of Savage being a mix between Shamrock's dangerous persona and Stone Cold's toughest SOB on the planet persona. Really felt Savage could have destroyed Hogan and been over as the uncontrollable madman. But nope, snuffed out in one night, and then got absolutely no revenge/retribution against Hogan, almost forgetting he lost the title. Went to feud with Piper and then did nothing.
Goldberg won the world title, again on Nitro, and held it till Starrcade. But also played second fiddle to Hogan on the cards. Nothing new there, but it didn't ultimately hurt Goldberg. Losing the streak did however. After this, what did Goldberg do? Basically nothing other than half-arsed upper midcard feuds.
Nash held the title for less than 1 month and threw it away in the fingerpoke incident. Back to Hogan again. To which the title again was just a prop on Hogan's shoulders. What did Nash gain from this? Absolutely nothing.
DDP, Flair, Savage again all had short title reigns in 1999. What did those do for them? Barely anything.
