Table of Contents
Shawn Michaels vs Hulk Hogan was definitely a dream match. It was presented as the Icon vs Legend match back in WWE Summerslam 2005. This match had all the potential to be one of the best matches in professional wrestling history, but ultimately, it is remembered for being a controversial match only.
Shawn Michaels was extremely angry throughout the build up to this historic match, as per reports. And the reason was simple, Hulk Hogan did not take any part in promoting this match, when Michaels had to take the full responsibility of promoting it. Hogan knew where to be seen during the promotion of this match.
WWE Hall of Famer remembers Hulk Hogan vs Shawn Michaels
But by the end, Hogan ate up all the cream by winning this match when he had no reason to win it. Michaels still had his career remaining when Hogan was semi retired. Still, he won the match. As a gesture of a silent protest, Michaels oversold every move during the actual match. WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross recently remembered this infamous match while speaking on his “Grilling JR” podcast. He said;
Hulk Hogan vs Shawn Michaels is one of the most controversial matches in Summerslam history
“Vince loved Shawn like a son. Vince has told me many times, I said it here on this show. Vince has said to me on many occasions, ‘When I see Shawn Michaels, I see young Vince McMahon.’ Defiant, contrarian, but hugely talented. That’s what Shawn was. He had Vince’s ear, and he has Vince’s emotions. They were attached in that respect, and that gave Shawn many opportunities and breaks to win debates and arguments and creative issues over the years.
Shawn Michaels oversold most of the moves during this match
“And the day after when he did that Monday Night Raw promo, he’d already spent time on the phone or in person with his buddies. And they had him jacked up. And he was easily manipulated at that point in his career.”
Hulk Hogan got involved in more controversy just a couple of years after at the same event when he had a match with Randy Orton. As already mentioned, Hogan was semi retired during that time. Randy Orton, on the other hand, was an upcoming wrestler. But Hogan decided not to promote Orton during this match and defeated him. This match also earned Hogan major criticism.
