“I really wanted to have that,” Hulk Hogan reveals unfortunate reason behind ‘dream’ match against John Cena never coming to fruition 

Hulk Hogan recounts his history of spinal surgeries that prevented his dream match against John Cena.

“I really wanted to have that,” Hulk Hogan reveals unfortunate reason behind ‘dream’ match against John Cena never coming to fruition 

Hulk Hogan and John Cena (via thesportster)

If any old-school professional wrestling fan is to make a Mount Rushmore, they wouldn’t leave Hulk Hogan for it. Hulkster was a part of the Insight podcast by Chris Van Vliet. The WWE Hall of Famer revealed how close he was to wrestling with John Cena at WrestleMania 25 which never came to fruition.

The 12-time World Champion talked about his last match in professional wrestling. Hogan felt his body had been cut too many times and was too beaten up to step back in the ring ever again. The Hulkster was also asked if he wanted to have a match with another legend, who would that be.

Both Chris Van Vliet and Hulk Hogan suddenly stopped at the name of John Cena and then Hogan began narrating about the last time it could’ve happened. He was really behind the idea and wanted this match to happen. However, the WWE Hall of Famer poignantly revealed that his back surgery was the reason why this match never materialized.

I was all hooked up with Cena and I said I'd do it. We were talking every week and putting plans in the office. Suddenly, I just had back surgery at 3 or 4 at that time. So, I had to be cut from that. That was it, for that. I thought that was going to be my last match. But, then it never happened. It then faded away.
Hulk Hogan

Hogan explained how he regularly showed up at the company office and was a part of various discussions. They were all focused on developing a storyline that would involve him and John Cena. Unfortunately, it was during that time that Hogan again began suffering back issues. It prompted him to go through another back surgery, which rendered him unfit to compete at WrestleMania 25.

Once, he recovered, the talks about his match with Cena faded away. Hogan then left the Stamford-based company for TNA. He delivered his last performance in a six-man Tag Team match in 2012. It seems the whole scenario ended up being another dream match that would forever remain in the dreams of the WWE Fans.

Hulk Hogan on if he ever wished to return to WWE to perform after his TNA Run

Hulk Hogan talked at length about his career and the possibility of having a last match in WWE in the aforementioned podcast. Chris asked him whether there was a point in his TNA run where he wanted to return to WWE and talk with Vince McMahon to do his last match. The Hulkster didn’t relate and went on to describe his poor physical condition caused by several spinal surgeries. 

I don't know if you saw the TNA run. I was several times out with a back brace on, my neck collar. Back surgery was 8 or 9, whatever it was at that time. I wasn't really good to go after that.
Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan at Impact Wrestling (via Stillrealtous)

While the fans witnessed the last of Hulkamania within the squared circle, they could clearly see the pain on his face. His matches with the Icon Sting are a testimony to this fact. Wrestling fans rarely saw him in his iconic shirtless look as he wore a back brace. His troubles in performing soon forced him to call it a day in his wrestling career.

The Hulkster described his dismay at how much he had gone under the surgeon’s blade. The adjustment to his spine has rendered him unfit to perform. It seems that the only way young professional wrestling fans can see the Hulkamania is through watching old pay-per-views. Nevertheless, it was a legendary in-ring career with countless glorious moments.

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