The Hulk Hogan controversy at WrestleMania 9 WWE unfolded on April 4, 1993, when Hogan leveraged his backstage influence to seize the championship title from Bret Hart in an unplanned twist, leaving fans and wrestlers questioning the integrity of the event. Occurring at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, this abrupt decision shattered promises and set off a storm of disappointment, with backstage politics and ego taking center stage, marking one of the most divisive nights in WWE history.
Backstage Politics Overshadow WrestleMania 9’s Main Event
For fans, Hulk Hogan is both a professional wrestling icon and a polarizing presence, revered for his in-ring accomplishments but often criticized for putting his own interests ahead of others. WrestleMania 9 stands out as a prime example of Hogan using his backstage power to shape outcomes. While WWE Chairman Vince McMahon had assured Bret Hart of a long championship reign, events took an abrupt turn, favoring Hogan in a move still debated decades later.
The original plan was for Bret Hart, freshly crowned as a popular champion, to defend his title against Yokozuna. However, in a sudden rewrite orchestrated by McMahon, Hart was instructed to drop the belt to Yokozuna, only for Hogan to enter the fray moments later and capture the title himself. The main event ended with confusion and controversy, as Hogan, without prior billing in the match, left as the new champion while both Yokozuna and Hart watched from ringside. The change was rapid and jarring, and its legitimacy was immediately cast into doubt by fans and insiders alike.
Years after the event, Bret Hart shed light on the abrupt changes and his personal disappointment. In his autobiography, Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling, Hart detailed the sequence of events leading up to one of the most talked-about angles in wrestling history:
“On April 2, 1993, [I] went to my room just in time to answer a call from Vince, who asked me to come to his suite to talk. I knocked on his door, and he answered it with that goofy grin. We sat down, and Vince said, ‘This is what I want to do. I want you to drop the belt to Yoko tomorrow.”
—Bret Hart, Former WWE Champion
Vince McMahon outlined a plan: Yokozuna’s manager, Mr. Fuji, would blind Hart with salt, enabling Yokozuna to win. Immediately after, Hogan would come to Hart’s aid, but the chaos would culminate in Hogan walking away as the new champion. Hart’s own words described his shock:
“This was not what I had expected. I sat there dumbstruck as he went on to explain how Fuji would screw me by throwing salt in my face, blinding me. After Yoko was handed the belt, Hogan would rush to my aid and in some kind of roundabout way Hogan would end up winning the belt from Yoko right then and there!”
—Bret Hart, Former WWE Champion
Hart’s account indicates that Vince McMahon had initially championed a longer reign for Hart but abruptly pivoted, seemingly under pressure from Hulk Hogan. This shift called into question not only the championship’s credibility, but also McMahon’s earlier promises and the culture of backstage maneuvering in WWE.
Bret Hart’s Disillusionment over a Broken Promise
WrestleMania 9’s fallout left Bret Hart deeply disappointed—not only did he lose his title in controversial fashion, but he also lost confidence in the fairness of WWE’s leadership. According to Hart, Hulk Hogan had personally assured him he would eventually reciprocate the favor, returning the championship in a competitive match. However, as events played out, Hogan reneged on this promise.
Vince McMahon attempted to reassure Hart in private, indicating that the title would soon be returned. But when asked to drop the title back, Hogan refused, claiming that Hart was not on his level. This further inflamed tensions in the locker room and cemented Hogan’s reputation for prioritizing his own legacy above the interests of his fellow wrestlers and the company.
“Vince wanted to make Hogan into the Babe Ruth of the WWF and use him as more of a special attraction. He asked me not to say anything until he had spoken to Hogan. Ten days later, Vince called again. He warned me that he was about to tell me something that would make me really angry: Hogan was flat-out refusing to put me over, saying I wasn’t in his league.”
—Bret Hart, Former WWE Champion
This revelation marked a turning point within WWE. Not only was a talented champion like Bret Hart denied his opportunity to win back the title, but wrestlers and fans alike began to see through the politics and ego that pervaded the industry, especially among top stars like Hogan. Many, including Hart, saw this as emblematic of Hogan’s ongoing effort to ensure he was always presented as the top attraction, often at the expense of rising talents or the company’s broader narrative coherence.
Damage to WWE’s Reputation and the WrestleMania Legacy
The Hulk Hogan controversy at WrestleMania 9 WWE left lasting scars. Fans and fellow wrestlers openly criticized both the creative decision and the manner in which it was handled, citing it as a low point for the industry. Instead of capitalizing on Hart’s growing popularity and championing new stars, WWE chose to prolong Hogan’s dominance, which alienated sections of the audience and eroded confidence in the company’s storytelling.
Hogan’s backstage reputation took additional hits as further personal controversies emerged, including allegations of an affair with a close friend’s wife and complaints regarding compensation for charity appearances. While Hogan’s talent and charisma had once driven WWE to new heights, moments like WrestleMania 9 became flashpoints for the growing perception that personal ambition and influence could override the interests of both fans and fellow performers.
As time passed, the outcome of WrestleMania 9 remained a cautionary tale, often cited in debates about fairness, transparency, and politics in professional wrestling. For Bret Hart, it was a career-defining letdown; for Vince McMahon, an example of how short-term spectacle can harm long-term credibility; and for Hulk Hogan, an inflection point that shifted audience perceptions and his own legacy in WWE’s storied history.
Ongoing Impact and Lessons from WrestleMania 9
The shockwaves from the Hulk Hogan controversy at WrestleMania 9 WWE are still felt today, underscoring the consequences of backstage politics on storytelling and talent relations in professional wrestling. Bret Hart’s experience illustrated the dangers of broken promises and the erosion of trust among the locker room, while fans’ intense reactions revealed their investment in authenticity and fair competition.
For the WWE, this event forced a reevaluation of creative decision-making processes and the balancing act between established icons and emerging stars. The aftermath led to new voices demanding a more transparent process and a merit-based approach to championship opportunities. WrestleMania 9 is now remembered as both a cautionary tale and a pivotal moment that shaped the company’s direction and narratives for years to come.
While Hulk Hogan, Vince McMahon, Bret Hart, and Yokozuna will always be linked to this infamous night, the incident’s legacy acts as a reminder that egos and influence, when unchecked, can turn a celebrated event into one of wrestling’s most controversial disappointments.
