Hulk Hogan has been rumored to return to the WWE for WrestleMania XXX on April 6 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, but it appears as though he won't return to in-ring action and will likely serve in an on-screen non-physical capacity on the show following his examination with WWE doctors.
According to Wrestlingheadlines.com, Hogan was recently examined by WWE doctors and following the checkup WWE officials decided that they not only couldn't put Hogan in a wrestling match, but can't book him for anything physical at all, ruling out a match for "The Hulkster" at WrestleMania XXX. Hogan will likely still be shown on the event, just in a non-wrestling capacity.
As far as Hogan's return goes, the report indicates that the WWE Hall of Famer may make his return to the company on the Feb. 24 edition of Monday Night RAW that lands on the night after February's Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. The WWE has planned to bring on some big names that night because the WWE Network launches as soon as the show goes off the air, and Hogan may be one of those special legends on the show.
One rumor involving Hogan if he could wrestle at WrestleMania XXX included Hogan taking on "Rowdy" Roddy Piper one-one-one in a legends match to play off the WrestleMania I main event that pitted Hogan and Mr. T against Piper and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff in 1985. It has been rumored that the main event of WrestleMania I will be the first match ever to be inducted to the WWE Hall of Fame the night before WrestleMania XXX.
Other rumors included Hogan teaming with Piper to take on "The Real Americans" Jack Swagger and Antonio Cesaro or Hogan being paired up with John Cena to take on Piper and another heel. Reports indicated that Piper wanted to work with CM Punk and was hoping the WWE would turn him heel for the match, but it appears as though he'll stay babyface and likely have a match with Triple H in New Orleans.
The WWE has had many concerns about using Hogan in a match because they knew his age and health would be a factor, and with his recent visit with WWE's doctors confirming it, the wrestling icon will likely just be used in an on-screen role, possibly serving as Cena's manager for a match against Bray Wyatt--who could be backed by Piper.
Piper discussed working with Hogan on "Stone Cold' Steve Austin's podcast this week.
"This is WrestleMania XXX, Piper told Austin on The Steve Austin Show. "I've pinned Hogan once and he's never pinned me. From a fan's perspective, and WWE Universe and Vince [McMahon], it never had closure. The business that would be done, the interviews and stuff would be coming from the heart. We could try to outraise the bar of the WWE entertainment machine in our sport, if they let us go toe to toe and don't script us. The fans will see really how it got started and why, and then they'll see the conclusion. They are asking can I get in shape. I am already in shape! They are asking Hogan. But there is a fear, I guess, of whether we can pull off the performance."
It appears as though Hogan won't be wrestling but he will definitely at least appear at WrestleMania XXX.
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