Jim Ross Reveals Why Austin vs Hogan Never Happened

Style Clash & Hogan's Health Cited as Reasons

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Legendary wrestling commentator Jim Ross has shed light on why the highly anticipated match between 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan never materialized, despite the two superstars' overlapping tenures in WWE. According to Ross, Austin had concerns about the pair's contrasting in-ring styles and doubted they would have the necessary chemistry to deliver a compelling performance. Additionally, Hogan's significant physical limitations, including around 10 back surgeries, made Austin wary of the match-up, as he believed Hogan's compromised state would be incompatible with his own intense, hard-hitting style.

Why it matters

The story of the Austin-Hogan dream match that never was serves as a reminder that even the most anticipated wrestling showdowns can fail to materialize due to a variety of factors, including stylistic differences, physical limitations, and the broader context of a company's transition. This highlights the importance of in-ring chemistry and the challenges faced by aging performers in maintaining their abilities to meet fan expectations.

The details

According to Ross, Austin 'didn't want to work with [Hogan]' because he 'just didn't have a good gut feeling that they would have passable chemistry, and just to be passable wasn't good enough for Austin.' Ross also likened Austin's intensity to that of a professional football player, which he believed would be incompatible with Hogan's compromised physical state, as Hogan had undergone around 10 back surgeries by the early 2000s. Ross pointed to Hogan's disappointing rematch against The Rock at No Way Out in 2003 as evidence of these limitations, noting that even The Rock couldn't compensate for Hogan's physical struggles.

  • In the early 2000s, when Austin and Hogan's tenures in WWE overlapped.
  • Hogan had undergone approximately 10 back surgeries by the early 2000s.

The players

Steve Austin

Also known as 'Stone Cold', he was a legendary WWE superstar known for his aggressive and impactful in-ring style.

Hulk Hogan

A iconic wrestling figure who was one of the biggest stars in the industry, but had significant physical limitations due to multiple back surgeries by the early 2000s.

Jim Ross

A legendary wrestling commentator and analyst who provided insight into the reasons why the Austin-Hogan match never happened.

The Rock

A highly skilled WWE performer who was unable to compensate for Hogan's physical limitations in their rematch at No Way Out in 2003.

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What they’re saying

“Austin didn't want to work with [Hogan]. It was wrong place at the wrong time... Steve just didn't have a good gut feeling that they would have passable chemistry, and just to be passable wasn't good enough for Austin.”

— Jim Ross, Legendary Commentator (Grilling JR* Podcast)

“We were obviously—no one thought that Hogan could maintain that on that given calendar year... Hogan should not have even been in a ring because he couldn't secure it done anymore.”

— Jim Ross, Legendary Commentator (Grilling JR* Podcast)

“Rock and Hogan situation was very disappointing. They didn't come close to taking care of that business.”

— Jim Ross, Legendary Commentator (Grilling JR* Podcast)

“You can only do so much for the guy that's all crippled up, right?”

— Jim Ross, Legendary Commentator (Grilling JR* Podcast)

The takeaway

The story of the missed opportunity between Austin and Hogan highlights the importance of in-ring chemistry and the challenges faced by aging performers in maintaining their abilities to meet fan expectations. Even the most anticipated wrestling matchups can fail to materialize due to a variety of factors, including stylistic differences, physical limitations, and the broader context of a company's transition.