What happens when two of the most notorious figures in the business collide at Mania 19? They create real music that requires you to shed real tears. This was a spectacular match that can only be described as beast. Sometimes, when real music starts playing, the only thing you can do is sit down and let the spirits flow through you.
This match starts off with what can only be described as sicko energy. Hulk is walking around with a saggy back (which is a first for me), but that doesn’t discredit this veteran who has done many hardened tours around the world. With all this experience he has, is it enough to emerge victorious as he collides with a juiced to the gills Vince McMahon? This Vince would’ve put the living fear into the heart of TRT Vitor Belfort.
Vince came out like he just ate 50 20oz rare steaks. He’s not just sweating regular sweat, it’s stuff that would put Arnold to shame or disintegrate the cup for a drug test. This is what pro wrestling is missing. When these two epic giants come face to face, you get the feeling like you’re about to watch something special and magical. These two men collide and create magic by having an awesome regular match at the start with tests of strength and beautiful punches. This sweet music is being played, and the pro wrestling gods are taking over my body. The best way I can describe what my body was doing during this match was the lyrics from Eminem’s Lose yourself “His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy”. They really were.
I was really on my feet feeling dirty on Twitch watching this. My vibes went to another level when Vince got busted open by a chair to face and ring post combo. This was the savagery you saw in the time of the Roman Coliseum. And then that man Hulk Hogan got busted open by chair. Then Vince was going to hit Hogan with another chair shot, but he missed, AND HIT HULK WHO BLADED. Brother, there is nothing like this beautiful sport. This is the stuff that makes you feel. I probably would’ve ripped my shirt off like vintage Hulkamania, but I was live on Twitch, so I had to restrain myself.
Then, the implausible happened. Vince got a ladder and did a leg drop off the top. After that I was think Vince might be one of the greatest wrestlers of all time and someone I might have to do a deep dive on. To quote Lose Yourself again “You better lose yourself in the music, the moment, You own it, you better never let it go”. I wasn’t letting this feeling go. Especially when Hogan kicks out of Vince’s leg drop at one and starts Hulking up whilsrVince is punching him repeatedly and he was no selling it. This is real electricity, not Hogan vs The Rock. THEN RODDY PIPPER COMES OUT. I don’t know much about him besides he doesn’t like Vince or Hogan he’s Punk’s favourite wrestler.
HOGAN STARTED FIGHTING THE REF!!!!!! AHHHHHH MY SHIRT IS OFF MAN!!! THIS IS REAL GRAPS!!!!
Vince has nothing and is no match for hulked up Hogan. He eats a big boot and 3 leg drops for the win. And this full crowd of 54k people were losing their mind. I was losing my mind at this match. It didn’t matter that it was 20 years ago because this match felt just as alive while I watched on Twitch. I even started writing this review during Rock and Austin. That’s how fired up I was.
I went on Twitter to give a hot take, such as calling Hogan vs McMahon one of the 5 greatest matches to happen on US soil. I’m putting this up with Nigel vs Danielson (any of the US matches), Samoa Joe vs Kobashi, KENTA vs Danielson, Danielson vs MJF, Samoa Joe vs Necro Butcher. This made me consider putting Vince in my top 10 wrestlers of all time, just off vibes alone. His fit was just immaculate as well. This is definitely a 5 star match especially if you’re a vibes person. It’s a must watch.
