The wrestling world is mourning the loss of Hulk Hogan, a man who not only helped define an era but also bridged generations of WWE fans. As tributes pour in from across the globe, few have resonated as deeply as those from “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, the Texas Rattlesnake who, for a brief moment, shared the spotlight with Hogan—two icons whose orbits nearly collided, but whose rivalry never truly materialized inside the ring. This is the story of their shared history, their rivalry-that-wasn’t, and the legacy both men leave behind.

The Rise of Hulkamania and the Evolution of Stone Cold

Hulk Hogan entered the WWE (then WWF) in the early 1980s, immediately transforming the company and the industry with a combination of charisma, athletic spectacle, and catchphrases that enthralled millions. His four-year reign as WWF World Heavyweight Champion set a new standard for sports entertainment, and his feud with André the Giant at WrestleMania III remains a touchstone for wrestling fans the world over[1]. Hulkamania wasn’t just a phenomenon—it was a movement.

But wrestling is nothing if not cyclical. By the late 1990s, the torch was being passed. Enter Steve Austin, whose anti-authority, beer-swilling persona resonated with a new generation. Austin’s meteoric rise in 1997–1998 helped turn the tide in WWE’s favor during the Monday Night Wars, and for the first time since Hogan’s heyday, WWE found itself with another bona fide box office draw[3]. Austin’s feuds with Vince McMahon, The Rock, and others rewrote the script on what a main event superstar could be.

Yet, for all the parallels in their ascents, Hogan and Austin never locked up at WrestleMania. Their eras overlapped, their styles contrasted, and their mutual respect was always tinged with professional rivalry—but the dream match never happened. “That was the one match I never had,” Hogan once lamented. “I wanted to have that match with Austin. I wish I could’ve put over Steve Austin…”[2]

The Rivalry That Wasn’t

Speculation about a Hogan vs. Austin showdown has been a wrestling urban legend for decades. The closest they came was at WWE WrestleMania 30, when both men shared the ring with The Rock, exchanging barbs and soaking up the adulation of the crowd[4]. The moment was electric, a once-in-a-lifetime collision of three generations, but not the clash fans had hoped for.

A WWE insider revealed that plans for a Hogan-Austin match were discussed on more than one occasion, particularly during Hogan’s return to WWE in the early 2000s. “It was always on the table, always a topic behind closed doors. But timing, politics, and the stars just never aligned. Both men knew what it would mean for the business, but neither was willing to compromise their character for it,” the source said. According to the insider, one sticking point was creative control—Hogan wanted a finish that protected his legacy, while Austin was determined to stay true to his anti-hero persona.

Their only official in-ring encounter came much later, in March 2022, during a special edition of WWE Raw. Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall—the original nWo—defeated Austin and The Rock in a three-on-two handicap match[4]. It was a nostalgia act, not a passing of the torch, and fans were left wondering: What if?

Backstage Interactions: Respect, Rivalry, and Real Talk

Behind the scenes, Hogan and Austin’s relationship was cordial but not overly familiar. “Steve was never one to kiss anyone’s ass, and Hogan was Hogan—he expected a certain amount of respect,” another WWE source recalled. In his 2006 WWE Hall of Fame speech—with Hogan sitting behind him—Austin couldn’t resist a playful jab: “I found a can of whoop-ass, and it had Hulk Hogan’s name on it!” The moment was classic Austin: irreverent, unpredictable, and perfectly in character. Hogan, for his part, laughed it off but later admitted he was baffled why the match never happened.

Austin, in interviews, has always been gracious about Hogan’s contributions. “Hulk Hogan was born to be a Professional Wrestler. Larger than life. Charisma for days. He was in a stratosphere all on his own. His contributions are immense. His influence will be forever. Hulkamania lives on,” Austin wrote in his Instagram tribute[3][4]. The two men respected each other’s place in wrestling history, even if their own chapter was marked by missed opportunities.

According to a WWE insider, Austin’s reluctance to work with Hogan in the early 2000s may have been rooted in creative differences rather than personal animosity. “Steve always did business, but he wanted it to make sense for his character. He wasn’t interested in just putting Hogan over for the sake of nostalgia,” the source said.

The Impact: Two Eras, One Legacy

Hogan and Austin represent two distinct epochs in WWE history, yet both fundamentally altered the trajectory of professional wrestling. Hogan’s babyface heroics in the 1980s and subsequent heel turn in WCW as the leader of the nWo in 1996 shattered the mold, proving wrestlers could reinvent themselves and still draw massive crowds[3]. Austin’s “Austin 3:16” movement redefined what it meant to be a top star, eschewing the traditional good guy/bad guy dichotomy for something far more relatable to modern audiences.

Their legends are inextricably linked by what didn’t happen as much as by what did. “They were two sides of the same coin—Hulk built the global audience, and Austin took it to the next level,” a veteran WWE producer said. “A match between them would’ve been box office gold, but sometimes, the business is about more than just matches.”

Tributes and Memories

Following Hogan’s passing on July 24, 2025, tributes flooded in from WWE icons, politicians, and celebrities. Austin’s Instagram post was among the most heartfelt, emphasizing Hogan’s impact and expressing sympathy for his family and friends[3][4]. Vince McMahon, The Rock, Ric Flair, and even Donald Trump shared their memories, but it was the words of Austin—a man who walked his own path but never denied Hogan’s influence—that struck a chord with fans.

“There’s a generation that grew up with Hogan, and a generation that grew up with Austin. Both are important, and both are missed,” Austin said in a recent interview. “Hulkamania will never die.”

Conclusion: The Match That Never Was, The Legacy That Endures

Steve Austin’s reflection on Hulk Hogan is more than a eulogy—it’s a recognition of how two men, separated by style and era, together elevated WWE to unprecedented heights. While Hogan and Austin never had their WrestleMania moment, their shared impact is undeniable: both redefined what it meant to be a WWE Superstar, and both left behind legacies that will inspire future generations.

According to a WWE insider, “The business is built on dreams—the matches that happen and the ones that don’t. Hogan and Austin’s story is proof that sometimes, the magic is in what’s left to the imagination.”

As the wrestling world says goodbye to Hulk Hogan, the memory of what could’ve been—and the reality of what they accomplished—will always be part of WWE’s DNA. Hulkamania, indeed, lives on.