Update on Hulk Hogan and Sting Competing at WrestleMania 31

The latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has provided an update on Hulk Hogan and Sting competing at WrestleMania 31. As previously reported, Hogan has said in recent interviews that he is training in hopes to “tear down the house” at a WrestleMania just one more time, and Sting has been vying for a WrestleMania match with The Undertaker. However, the latest report stresses that both men would have to pass a strict physical to compete.

Passing the company’s physical, which they strictly enforce for anyone over the age of 45, is now the hurdle for Hogan, Sting, Undertaker, and more to jump in order to participate in any match. Since Jerry “The King” Lawler suffered from a heart attack on “Monday Night Raw” in the Fall of 2012, WWE has tightened down on having older talent pass their physical fitness tests before letting them entire a ring to compete.

WWE reportedly wanted Hogan to compete in a match at WrestleMania XXX, but he did not pass said physical and was brought in to do an in-ring segment on the mic with “Stone Cold ” Steve Austin and The Rock instead. According to reports, WWE wanted a match with both Hogan and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper involved, since they faced each other in a tag team bout at the inaugural WrestleMania, but after failing to pass the physical, Hogan and his teammate Mr. T merely appeared in a backstage altercation with Piper and his teammate, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff.

Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair recently had to pass the company physical in order to return to television so that he could be used as someone’s manager, but has yet to be used at such a capacity. However, if needed to, Flair could take bumps in the ring having passed his test with flying colors. Hogan has not been able to be physical with anyone since his early 2014 return because he has yet to succeed in this task.

Hogan has been adamant about wanting to face either Austin, if he can “talk him out of retirement for one more match,” or the reigning face of the WWE, John Cena. Whether or not either main event will ever happen is yet to be seen.

Editor’s Note:
Hogan’s had like 6 or 9 back surgeries and supposedly can’t drop the leg anymore. Why would we want to see him get in the ring and severely injure himself?