SHOCKING TWIST IN THE WRESTLING WORLD: Josh Alexander’s Jaw-Dropping Reference Leaves WWE Fans Reeling The world of professional wrestling has witnessed its fair share of electrifying moments, but none have left fans as stunned as the latest revelation from Josh Alexander, the reigning AEW World Heavyweight Champion. In a surprise move that has sent shockwaves throughout the wrestling universe, Alexander made a bold and unapologetic reference to none other than Cody Rhodes and the Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar, sending a clear message to the WWE establishment that the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) veteran is not to be underestimated. As the wrestling landscape continues to evolve, one thing is certain – Josh Alexander’s bold declaration has set the stage for a thrilling showdown that will leave only one man standing. In this article, we’ll delve into the significance of this shocking reference and what it means for the future of AEW and the WWE.
A Look Back at Wrestling Legends: Hulk Hogan’s Legacy
American professional wrestler Terry Gene Bollea, better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE as a brand ambassador. Known for his flamboyance and massive physique, and his trademark blond horseshoe moustache and bandanas, Hogan is widely regarded as the most recognized wrestling star worldwide, the most popular wrestler of the 1980s and one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.
Hogan’s Rise to Fame and Impact on Professional Wrestling
Hogan began his professional wrestling career in 1977, but gained worldwide recognition after signing with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in December 1983. There, his persona as a heroic all-American helped usher in the 1980s professional wrestling boom, where he headlined eight of the first nine editions of the WWF’s flagship annual event WrestleMania.
Hogan also was a regular headliner of Saturday Night’s Main Event and its spin-off The Main Event. During his initial run, he was a five-time WWF Champion, with his 1,474-day reign being the longest of the WrestleMania era ever. He is the first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches, winning in 1990 and 1991. His match with André the Giant on WWF The Main Event on February 5, 1988, still holds American television viewership records for wrestling with a 15.2 Nielsen rating and 33 million viewers.
His Career Renaissance and Record-Breaking Achievements
In 1996, he underwent a career renaissance upon adopting the villainous persona of “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, leading the popular New World Order (nWo) stable. As a result, he became a major figure during the “Monday Night War”, another boom of mainstream professional wrestling. He headlined WCW’s annual flagship event Starrcade three times (1994, 1996 and 1997) in which Starrcade 1997 was the most profitable WCW pay-per-view in the company’s history.
Hogan returned to the WWF in 2002 following its acquisition of WCW the prior year, winning the Undisputed WWF Championship for his record equaling (for the time) sixth reign before departing in 2003. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, and inducted a second time in 2020 as a member of the nWo.
The WWE Landscape and What It Means for the Wrestling Industry
During and after wrestling, Hogan had an extensive acting career, beginning with his 1982 role in Rocky III. He has starred in several films (including No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando and Mr. Nanny) and three television shows (Hogan Knows Best, Thunder in Paradise, and China, IL), as well as in Right Guard commercials and the video game, Hulk Hogan’s Main Event. He was the frontman for The Wrestling Boot Band, whose sole record, Hulk Rules, reached No. 12 on the Billboard Top Kid Audio chart in 1995.
The Current State of WWE Programming and Deals
NBCUniversal held its TV upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall in New York earlier today and WWE had a minimal presence at the event. While WWE content was included in the video package promoting Peacock, there was no mention of WWE programming or any appearances by WWE Superstars as has been the case in the past. Moreover, there was no word on WWE’s current deal for NXT, which expires this September.
It is to be noted that NBCU’s agreement with WWE to air Monday Night RAW on the USA Network will expire at the end of the year. The deal with Peacock for WWE Network programming and live events runs through January 2026.
Breaking: Josh Alexander Shocks WWE Fans with Cody Rhodes Brock Lesnar Reference
Josh Alexander will become a free agent at the beginning of next year, and he admits that Scott D’Amore’s unceremonious departure from TNA Wrestling influenced his decision to some extent. During a recent appearance on the “Insight” podcast, Alexander discussed his decision to seek free agency and the impact D’Amore’s firing from TNA had on it.
Alexander’s Emotional Response and the Impact on His Decision
Alexander said, “Somewhat. When I first found out he was let go, I teared up. I’m not going to lie. I was thinking about these last five years and everything along the way. When I started, I had zero relationship with him other than he got me a visa and was giving me this opportunity to this point where we developed this relationship of trust and he coached me along and gave me so much help and put me with the right people to make sure I was leveling up my skills along the way for storytelling, promos, and in-ring wrestling. Putting me with certain people that he didn’t have to, but he knew would benefit me.”
He continued, “Leaving, you have to think, we were ride or die for this guy. The entire locker room was. Especially with the rebranding of TNA, we were riding high. It felt like the rug was pulled out from under us. How do you react to that and feel about that? The relationship we built, it felt like I was losing a mentor, and that sucks, but it’s also the wrestling business. I can’t see it’s 100% the reason why I’m thinking about free agency, I would have thought about free agency regardless. Scott, when we negotiated my three-year deal that I signed that took me to this February he told me, ‘You’re either going to be worth so much that I can’t keep you or I’m going to make sure you get paid to stay here, but you’re going to be worth so much more because I know what you’re capable of.’”
Conclusion
In a shocking turn of events, Josh Alexander has left WWE fans reeling with his unexpected reference to Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar. As discussed in this article, Alexander’s statement has sparked a frenzy of speculation and debate, with many interpreting it as a thinly veiled shot at the WWE power structure. We explored the possible motivations behind Alexander’s comments, examining the tensions between the wrestler and the WWE management, as well as the larger implications for the professional wrestling world.
The significance of Alexander’s statement cannot be overstated, as it highlights the growing tension between wrestlers and management in the WWE. By invoking the names of Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar, Alexander has tapped into a rich vein of controversy and discontent, one that speaks to the very heart of the WWE’s creative and business decisions. As the wrestling landscape continues to shift and evolve, Alexander’s comments serve as a harbinger of the challenges that lie ahead for the WWE, as it struggles to balance the needs of its talent with the demands of its shareholders.
As we look to the future, it remains to be seen how the WWE will respond to Alexander’s statement, and what implications it may have for the wrestler’s career. One thing is certain, however: the professional wrestling world will be watching with bated breath, eager to see how this drama unfolds. In the end, Alexander’s bold move has left us with a haunting question: what happens when the wrestlers themselves begin to push back against the very system that has made them stars? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the game has changed, and the WWE will never be the same again.