Rock, Hogan comment on Rock-Hogan II
by Phil Speer
MONTREAL Feb. 23, 2003 The Rock?s back was scratched up and red, the outline of Hulk Hogan’s belt clearly visible. Hogans face was covered in blood and still bleeding. Their match tonight Rock-Hogan II had just ended, and even though they were tired, bruised and swollen, they were elated.
I was happy with everything, Hogan said. It turned out great.
I hope they had a great time, The Rock said, referring to the fans. I had a great time.
The two icons had a bit of a challenge on their hands tonight. Their match immediately followed Stone Cold Steve Austin?s confrontation with Eric Bischoff, a segment of the show that had every fan ? from the front row to the cheapest of cheap seats ? on his or her feet. Whereas it was the second time fans had seen Rock and Hogan battle, it was the first time anybody had seen Austin since June.
Anytime you follow Stone Cold Steve Austin its hard, because he just rocks the house, brother,? Hogan said. ?Stone Cold was on the card, he rocked the house and he probably drained half the energy of the people out there.
With any other feasible match, the crowd would have fallen asleep. But fortunately this was Rock-Hogan II.
Hogan said, When we went out, people were yelling and screaming, and I was happy with it.
Another potential challenge tonight was living up to the off-the-charts, unforgettable performance they put on at WrestleMania X8. Although it was the first match for both Rock and Hogan since August, the fans expectations were high.
You could never duplicate Hogan-Rock I just because of the environment, the vibe (and) that it?s the first time it ever happened, Rock said.
Still, Rock said he felt absolutely no pressure; Hogan admitted he did a little bit, but other concerns were preeminent in his mind.
There was this overriding pressure tonight that made me not even worry about that type of pressure actually getting through this match with my back, Hogan said. ?My back has been so damn bad. Five discs. They tried to burn it in California to get it to slide back in, which didnt work. Tonight, from about 4 p.m. on, I iced it every 20 minutes. The ice is the only thing that would take the pain out. As soon as I got in the ring, taking little short bumps off his punches, I was testing my back. Im sure itll be weird tomorrow. But right now, Im so happy because it doesnt hurt, and Ive only had one beer.
Im amazed how it feels. It might have just been that I needed to get in the ring and take a couple bumps. I might have just had to break up some calcium. Who knows
Hogan added that any potential confrontation with Vince McMahon or anyone else at WrestleMania XIX in Seattle was contingent on his back holding up tonight.
Everybody is saying, WrestleMania this, WrestleMania that. McMahon-Hogan, Hogan said. Without telling Vince, if I wouldn?t have made it through this match tonight, there would have been no WrestleMania. But now I can live to fight another day. Im so happy that I got through this, it?s unreal.
Hogan said he wasnt even worried about ring rust or not being in ring shape due to being idle since his match with Brock Lesnar last August on SmackDown! his only concern was his back. Rock, meanwhile, made sure he didnt have ring rust by getting in a ring as often as possible.
I have a ring out on the West Coast and a ring down in Florida, Rock said. Throughout the film, on the weekends, whenever I had a second, I would get down there and get some action in for a couple of hours.
Like Hogan, Rock is looking forward to WrestleMania, whoever ends up being his opponent.
Im excited about WrestleMania, he said. Im excited about coming back. Some big things should happen at WrestleMania. Im excited about going up there 50,000 or 60,000 strong up in Seattle. Im excited just to come back in this capacity as a heel.
credit: WWE.com
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