"Hulk Hogan Almost Had a Farewell Match Against John Cena at WrestleMania 25"
Hulk Hogan is a legend in professional wrestling, and it has always been said that he would return to the ring one last time, despite his age (70 years) and his serious back problems. The Hulkster has completely ruled out one last match and, in the process, revealed that a farewell match could have happened at WrestleMania 25.
The 6-time WWE World Champion was interviewed this week by Chris Van Vliet, where he revealed that he was very close to having a farewell match against John Cena at WrestleMania 25. At that time, Hogan was around 55 years old, and John Cena was in a sweet spot, establishing himself as the face of WWE. Hogan revealed that Vince McMahon had him almost convinced, but his back problems prevented the match from taking place.
"I would have loved to have that last match, but it's completely ruled out now. You know, I'm too messed up from the surgeries. I think if I took a couple of bumps, they'd probably have to cut me again. But no, I really wanted to have that last match. I wasn't sure, I think it was WrestleMania 25 in Orlando."
"Vince had me hooked up with Cena, and I told him I'd do it. Vince and I were talking every week and planning together, you know, like in the old days when I was in the office every day, he and I were talking every day, and suddenly, I'm on the phone with Vince, I was like, 'Oh my God. Oh, my back.' My back shut off while I was talking to Vince on the phone. I had just had the third or fourth back operation at that time, and I had to go straight to get surgery. So that was it; I thought it was going to be my last match, but it never happened, and then it just faded away."
This event could have happened in 2009. A few months later, Hulk Hogan joined TNA (Total Nonstop Action) and had 5 more matches. He also embarked on a tour in Australia, where he faced Ric Flair three times. Hogan has said on several occasions that those matches against The Nature Boy cost him more surgeries.