Post by #HEEL Dark Lord on Oct 13, 2005 20:14:18 GMT -5
The speculation and anticipation continues
For a match not at all confirmed, talk of Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 22 is heating up quite a bit within pro wrestling circles.
Although Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon want the match to take place, its confirmation rests on the shoulders of the other crucial component. And, having not even been approached about the match, Steve Austin is far from signing on the dotted line.
That is not to say that Steve Austin is deadset against the idea. Correcting its original report, PWTorch.com recently confirmed that Austin was notified about plans for Hulk Hogan to issue a “challenge” on the RAW Homecoming special. On his way out of the arena, RAW’s Brian Gewirtz sought the wrestler’s permission to shoot the angle; The Rattlesnake gave his blessing. Surely, if Austin was offended by the notion of wrestling Hogan, he would not have wanted the challenge to air.
But, assuming the two do agree to the concept of the match, the road to WrestleMania will be inhibited by a major obstacle.
The Torch reports that sources anticipate a “potentially explosive” political situation over who will win the match. While Hogan’s enthusiasm for the bout implies his expectation of a win, Austin’s friends say that he does not consider losing an option.
With a contract that requires no in-ring wrestling (Austin and WWE are primarily working on movie and TV projects), WWE would certainly need to make Austin’s participation worthwhile.
Well-known pro wrestling writer Brian Cantor is also a news reporter for The Harvard University Crimson. He can be reached via email at bcantor[at]fas.harvard.edu.
For a match not at all confirmed, talk of Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 22 is heating up quite a bit within pro wrestling circles.
Although Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon want the match to take place, its confirmation rests on the shoulders of the other crucial component. And, having not even been approached about the match, Steve Austin is far from signing on the dotted line.
That is not to say that Steve Austin is deadset against the idea. Correcting its original report, PWTorch.com recently confirmed that Austin was notified about plans for Hulk Hogan to issue a “challenge” on the RAW Homecoming special. On his way out of the arena, RAW’s Brian Gewirtz sought the wrestler’s permission to shoot the angle; The Rattlesnake gave his blessing. Surely, if Austin was offended by the notion of wrestling Hogan, he would not have wanted the challenge to air.
But, assuming the two do agree to the concept of the match, the road to WrestleMania will be inhibited by a major obstacle.
The Torch reports that sources anticipate a “potentially explosive” political situation over who will win the match. While Hogan’s enthusiasm for the bout implies his expectation of a win, Austin’s friends say that he does not consider losing an option.
With a contract that requires no in-ring wrestling (Austin and WWE are primarily working on movie and TV projects), WWE would certainly need to make Austin’s participation worthwhile.
Well-known pro wrestling writer Brian Cantor is also a news reporter for The Harvard University Crimson. He can be reached via email at bcantor[at]fas.harvard.edu.
