Earlier this month when John Cena shockingly turned heel after winning the Elimination Chamber and aligned himself with The Rock, fans quickly began to check the angle to Hulk Hogan’s heel turn at WCW Bash on the Beach 1996. “The Hulkster” famously hit his patented leg drop on Randy Savage and joined forces with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall to form the NWO, making a moment that may change the trajectory of WCW and wrestling without end. Former WCW executive Eric Bischoff, who was answerable for the formation of the NWO, has commented on Cena’s actions on the Elimination Chamber, explaining why he thought the heel turn was game-changing, but not as impactful as Hogans.
“If you happen to watch it play out and when it’s throughout, watch the people standing across the ring. It got a terrific response do not get me incorrect, it wasn’t the response that Hogan got. Get two TVs, two monitors, whatever, put those two finishes side by side. Ignore what is going on on within the ring, just watch the gang … Hogan’s activate an emotional scale of 1 to 10 was probably a nine. I believe on an emotional scale, the Cena turn was probably around an eight, seven and a half.” Bischoff said on “83 Weeks.” “I just don’t think this can get the type of buzz and response that the Hogan turn did.”
Bischoff continued to reiterate that Hogan’s heel turn had a bigger influence on the industry, and noted that his opinion does not imply that Cena becoming a villain was done poorly, but feels that Hogan joining Nash and Hall was more surprising.
If you happen to use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “83 Weeks” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
