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Report: Hulk Hogan Wants Match Against John Cena at WrestleMania 31
October 8, 2014
Well, this sounds deeply intriguing. Per a recent report, Hulk Hogan has been pushing for a match against John Cena at next year's WrestleMania 31 event.
As Dave Meltzer notes in this week's (subscribers-only) Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the Hall of Famer is keen to work with Cena at the Santa Clara show.
"Hulk Hogan has pushed for a match with Cena," Meltzer writes. "If he’s willing, and can pass the physical, they could do a retirement match. Hogan hasn’t wrestled at a WrestleMania since 2003 and will be almost 61 at match time, so if he can’t do it this year, that should be it."
To many fans, Hogan vs. Cena is a dream match. To see two of the biggest babyface stars in wresting history face off in a singles bout at WrestleMania would be quite the spectacle—and likely a huge draw on pay-per-view.
No wonder Hogan is eager to do the match. It would be the ideal platform on which to end his legendary in-ring career. Certainly, it's rather depressing to think that his last-ever in-ring bout was in the underachieving TNA promotion.
The promo work between the pair would surely be great too. Cena's a terrific talker—when given the right material, of course—and, even at 61, Hogan is still one of the the most vibrant and charismatic personalities around.
However, Hogan's health is a major obstacle.
Even if he could pass a physical test, there remains doubt about how good he could be in the ring.
No one is expecting the veteran to go in there and start bumping around like Seth Rollins, nor would anyone be looking for the pair to deliver a classic, highly technical bout. But any potential Cena vs. Hogan match would have to meet an acceptable standard, especially if it's going to be a focal point of the card.
WWE has too much respect for Hogan and his legacy to allow him to go out there and possibly embarrass himself on such a major stage.
Vince McMahon and his bookers have a hard decision to make in the upcoming weeks and months. Cena vs. Hogan would be a great feud, but it may not be worth the risk, particularly if they don't think Hogan can deliver a decent match.