DATELINE: JULY 9, 2000 – THE OCEAN CENTER – DAYTONA, FL
After Jeff Jarrett is ordered to lay down for Hulk Hogan and allow him to win the WCW World title, Vince Russo goes on a tirade and publicly fires The Hulkster
In what has now become a part of wrestling lore, and often recounted as one of the final death knells of the company, the ultimate swerve backfired. Hogan would depart the company – for real – and file legal action against Russo and WCW for defamation of character and breach of contract.
The initial plan had The Hulkster reportedly coming back to fight in a title vs. title match in the future. Instead, Booker T emerged with the belt, and Hogan never wrestled for WCW again.
“Three weeks ago, I left WCW…and quite frankly, I didn’t know if I was gonna come back. And the reason I didn’t know if I was gonna come back or not is because from day one that I have been in WCW, I ‘ve done nothing, nothing but deal with the bullshit of the politics behind that curtain. The fact of the matter is, I’ve got a wife, I’ve got three kids at home, and I really don’t need this shit.
But let me tell you the reason why I did come back. I came back for everyone of the guys in that locker that week in, week out, bust their ass for WCW. I came back for the Booker T’s, I came back for every single guy in MIA, I came back for the Animals, I came back for Jarrett, I came back for the guys behind that curtain that give a shit about this company.
And let me tell you who doesn’t give a shit about this company, that Goddamn politician Hulk Hogan. Cause let me tell you people what happened out here in this ring tonight. All day long I’m playing politics with Hulk Hogan, because Hulk Hogan tonight wants to play his creative control card. And to Hulk Hogan, that meant that tonight in the middle of this ring, when he knew it was bullshit, he beats Jeff Jarrett.
Well guess what, Hogan got his wish, Hogan got his belt and he went the hell home, and I promise everybody or else I’ll go in the Goddamn grave, you will never see that piece of shit again! But I also, I sat out there in the people just like you, and I know you paid good money to come here tonight, and nobody is gonna be ripped off here tonight.
So Hulk Hogan now has the WCW belt, and Hulk, let’s refer to that as the Hulk Hogan Memorial Belt, because from here on in, that belt don’t mean shit! Because there will be a new WCW belt, and as far as I’m concerned, that belt still belongs to the one guy that busts his ass week in and week out in the middle of this ring. And you people can love him and hate him, but he doesn’t screw anybody back there and that’s Jeff Jarrett.
Now hold on a minute, Jeff Jarrett is still the official WCW champion, but he will defend that title in this ring tonight. And he will defend that title against the son of a bitch back there who for fourteen years has been bustin’ his ass in WCW and can’t get a Goddamn break because of the Hulk Hogans! And I’m talking about Booker T! Booker T and Jeff Jarrett are the two reasons why I’m in this damn stinkin’ business to begin with! So tonight in this ring, for the WCW title, two deserving guys, Jarrett and Booker will compete for the WCW…and tear this goddamn house down! And Hogan you big bald son of a bitch, kiss my ass!”
Want More? Choose another story!
Visit ProWrestlingStories.com - Your daily source of wrestling history and nostalgia!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
