AJ Styles is the current WWE Champion, and he’s the top star on SmackDown Live. Each and every week the champion likes to remind us that SmackDown is the house that AJ Styles built, but the champ recently made a special appearance on Monday Night Raw for the 25th anniversary show.
The Monday Night Raw 25th anniversary show featured appearances from some of the biggest names in WWE history, but Hulk Hogan was noticeably absent from the show.
Hogan hasn’t appeared on Raw in several years, but AJ Styles did reference Hogan during his backstage interview with Mean Gene Okerlund when he did the Hogan voice and said, “Let me tell you something Mean Gene.”
Many fans were surprised to hear Hogan referenced at all, but after imitating The Hulkster’s voice, Styles said it was something he always wanted to do.
Sports Illustrated is reporting that there’s no truth to rumors claiming that Styles has backstage heat for mentioning Hulk Hogan.
According to the report, the entire interview was scripted, and Styles did not go into business for himself. AJ was close with Hogan during their time together in TNA, and he requested to make the reference out of respect for The Hulkster.
It’s been rumored for years now that WWE officials are considering bringing Hogan back when the time is right, but so far none of the rumors have come to fruition.
Whether or not Hulk Hogan actually will return to WWE someday remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the wrestling world hasn’t forgotten about him.
