Those stories were written by Meta’s AI app, and I used it again for another Hulk Hogan/What If scenario. There was absolutely no chance of this scenario happening, but I found it interesting, nonetheless. The question posed by this story surrounded Hogan’s departure from the WWF (now WWE) back in 1994. What if, instead of going to World Championship Wrestling, he went to the land of extreme instead? What if Hulk Hogan went to ECW?
This story was originally conceived and written in March 2023, almost two years ago. While reading it back I’d forgotten about some of the interesting twists and turns Meta took. After all, who would have believed that Superman turned up in ECW?
Anyway, here’s the first chapter.
Chapter One: The Shocking Departure (February-June 1994)
It was a tumultuous time in the world of professional wrestling as Hulk Hogan, the undisputed champion of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), made the shocking decision to leave the company. Instead of signing with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Hogan opted to join the upstart Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW), a promotion that had been gaining momentum with its hardcore, anti-establishment style.
The news of Hogan's departure sent shockwaves throughout the wrestling world, with fans and insiders alike wondering why the Hulkster would choose to leave the WWF's lucrative national platform for the fledgling ECW. As Hogan settled into his new surroundings, he was met with a mixture of excitement and scepticisms. Could the biggest name in wrestling truly thrive in a promotion that prided itself on its edgy, counter-culture vibe?
Hogan's first few weeks in ECW were a baptism by fire. He dove headfirst into the promotion's chaotic world, teaming with wrestlers like Tommy Dreamer and The Public Enemy (Johnny Grunge and Rocco Rock) to take on the likes of Shane Douglas and Sabu. The matches were intense, hard-hitting, and unpredictable, with Hogan consistently pushing himself to new heights.
On March 26, 1994, Hogan made his ECW debut at the UltraClash event, held at the ECW Arena. The crowd was electric as Hogan, donning his signature bandana and moustache, stormed the ring to confront the villainous Shane Douglas. The two men had a heated exchange, with Hogan delivering a thunderous leg drop to assert his dominance.
Over the next few weeks, Hogan feuded with ECW's top talent, including Terry Funk, who had just returned to the promotion after a stint in the WWF. The two men had a series of intense matches, culminating in a brutal barbed-wire match at the Hostile City Showdown event on April 16, 1994.
As the months went by, Hogan continued to adapt to the ECW style, incorporating more hardcore elements into his matches. He formed a tag-team with Tommy Dreamer, and the two men began a feud with The Bad Breed (Axl Rotten and Ian Rotten). The matches were intense, with Hogan and Dreamer consistently pushing the limits of what was considered acceptable in professional wrestling.
On May 14, 1994, Hogan participated in a memorable six-man tag-team match at the When Worlds Collide event. Partnering with Dreamer and The Sandman, Hogan clashed with Shane Douglas, Sabu, and ECW Television Champion, The Tazmaniac. The match was a chaotic, action-packed affair that showcased Hogan's growing chemistry with his ECW colleagues.
As summer approached, Hogan's ECW career was gaining momentum. He had established himself as a force to be reckoned with, and his matches were consistently delivering on the promise of high-energy entertainment. With the ECW World Heavyweight Championship held by Shane Douglas, Hogan set his sights on the title, vowing to take down the self-proclaimed "Franchise" and claim the gold for himself.
The stage was set for a thrilling showdown between Hogan and Douglas, and ECW fans were eagerly anticipating the outcome. Little did they know that the real fireworks were only just beginning, as Hogan's ECW journey was about to take a dramatic turn.
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