Hulk Hogan vs. Lawler!? Interesting Update!

[Hellwig]

The Wrestling Observer is reporting that Hulk Hogan vs. Jerry Lawler has been officially signed to take place on April 27 in Memphis, TN at the Mid South Coliseum. This would be the first time in over 25 years that the two have wrestled each other. This storyline has been building over the last month or so on Memphis Wrestling TV. Of course, this is the plan at the moment as anything can change late (especially given Hogan's pattern of pulling out of planned matches and storylines).

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It must pay pretty good for the Hulk to want to be doing this. Or maybe he needs the money since he didn't get a match at Wrestlemania this year.

[Hellwig]

The last time Hogan was in the ring I believe was Summerslam 2006, so who knows how much he has slowed down since then. Is there anyway that Hogan would job to Lawler?

[NapperX]

April Fool's joke?

[Hellwig]

Damn, now that you say it; this could be. But the story came out on March 31st so there is some hope.

[JoseA]

Hogan on Bubba the Love Sponge's radio show:

Hulk discussed his upcoming match with Jerry Lawler in Memphis and said it was going to be the last event ever at the Mid-South Coliseum but due to demand they moved it to a larger 14,000 venue. Hulk said he doubted he would sell it out because it is only a few weeks away but wants to do a lot more than the 4,000 Vince draws there

Hulk asked Bubba to be part of the show as a wrestler and Bubba said he doesn't know enough to wrestle a full match but Hogan said all he needed to know was the basics and he would get over. Bubba said he rather manage but will be there.

Other names mentioned as possibilities for appearing were Ed Leslie (yes, he'll be there) and Brian Knobbs (no, he won't). Bubba kidded about Randy Savage and Hogan said its time to bury the hatchet and he would love Randy to be involved. Hogan kidded Savage would need to dye his har black because its full gray. Bubba said if Hogan was serious that he would mediate it and Hogan said to do it and that Randy is a great guy who was going through personal issues.

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Well it's obvious Hogan and Savage still have some bad blood. As for the WWE they can't be happy about this upcoming match really....I know it's not a major event, but still. It makes them look sort of weak....Does Lawler have a part in his contract with WWE saying he could fight the match? just cuious....

[Hellwig]

Apparently one of Hulk Hogan’s main objectives in doing the 4/27 match with Jerry Lawler in Memphis is that the footage will be taped for “Hogan Knows Best.” Vince McMahon owns most of Hogan’s matches in the WWE video library.

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That makes a lot of sense; I noticed they did use some WWE footage maybe once or twice but that was probably when Hulk and Vince were on good speaking terms. I don't think they are anymore.

[Hellwig]

Hulk Hogan will now be wrestling Paul Wight (The Big Show) on 4/27 in Memphis, TN. WWE informed Jerry Lawler that since he is under contract, he couldn't be on a VH-1 (Viacom) show. USA is apart of NBC/Universal, thus WWE wouldn't allow "The King" to face Hogan as it slated to be filmed for an episode of "Hogan Knows Best."

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This match couldn't take place at Wrestlemania but it is going to take place here!? Amazing when you think about it considering both sides probably could have made huge money fighting at Wrestlemania.

[Hellwig]

Update on the story

At today’s press conference, Hulk Hogan stated that he had a premonition the proposed match with Jerry Lawler would be changed as a result of WWE’s interference. Hogan said that Lawler told him he would quit WWE if they insisted he didn’t wrestle The Hulkster on 4/27. Hogan said WWE’s interference was a personal shot against him. WWE insisting that NBC/Universal talent can’t appear on “Hogan’s Knows Best” since its on VH-1 is ridiculous since Hogan has been filmed at WWE’s events, and Vince McMahon himself appeared in a recent episode that including on going negotiations between Hogan and WWE. Hogan said his upcoming match with Paul Wight (The Big Show) will be the match that fans should have seen at Wrestlemania. Hogan stated that “Big Show” is a slave name, and he’ll now be known by his real name, Paul Wight. Wight is tight with Hogan, and actually turned WWE’s most recent non-talent contract to be available for any future Hogan related wrestling opportunities. Dave Meltzer reports that Wight has lost 60 pounds since leaving WWE.

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If Hogan can't understand why Vince is doing this to him then he is an absolute idiot. Then again I wouldn’t put it past Hogan. How can he feel he did nothing wrong by mentioning all those possible HOF names? Very happy to hear that the Big Show has lost some weight.

[Hellwig]

Video Link of the Press Conference

[Hellwig]

I would say the Hogan/Big Show match would be a higher profile match than Hogan/Lawler so I don't think Vince succeeded.

Dave Meltzer is reporting that the WWE has yanked The World's Greatest Tag Team and The Boogeyman from tomorrow night's Memphis Wrestling show at Sam's Town Casino in Tunica, MS. As a result of the Lawler-Hogan fall out, WWE talent will no longer be able to work for the Memphis promotion. Meltzer is also reporting that WWE didn't pull Jerry Lawler from the match with Hulk Hogan on 4/27 because of the VH-1 taping, but rather that Vince McMahon didn't want a high profile match taking place with Hogan.

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[Hellwig]

WWE has told former Rock 'N' Roll Express star Robert Gibson to miss the 4/27 Fedex Forum Memphis show headlined by Paul Wight vs. Hulk Hogan. Gibson has been working as a trainer and coach for WWE's developmental system. Of course, WWE earlier informed Jerry "The King" Lawler he couldn't appear at the show, changing the scheduled main event from Lawler vs. Hogan to Hogan vs. Wight.

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While this seems like a rotten thing for the WWE to do you can't really blame them because it is all about business.