Ric Flair is touted by many as being one of the best workers in the history of professional wrestling but, according to a former AEW World Champion, Hulk Hogan was much better…
When you think back across the history of professional wrestling, there are two names that stand out as being the best of the best. Hulk Hogan is a household name. A big argument could be made that WWE, and the wrestling industry in general, would not be the worldwide juggernaut it is now without Hulkamania running wild throughout the eighties and nineties. Likewise, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair is credited with changing the game. His larger than life personality, his undeniable promo ability and his technical wrestling prowess made him “The Man” in professional wrestling. As a wrestler, Flair took great pride in being the best and his capacity to work wonders with just about anyone in the ring. Hogan, on the other hand, leaned more into the glitz and glamour of wrestling, tended to focus more on his persona, eating his vitamins, saying his prayers and delivered fewer moves when he wrestled. No list worth its salt will miss off Ric Flair when discussing who is the greatest in ring competitor in the history of the business.
That is, unless you ask former WWE and AEW World Champion, Chris Jericho…
Controversial Opinions
On an episode of ‘The Demogod’s’ podcast, Talk is Jericho, he was joined by Bryan Alvarez and Vincent Verhei to discuss an episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event from November 1987. During a watchalong of a match between, then WWF Champion, Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy, Jericho dropped the bomb that he preferred working with Hogan over Flair, adding that he believes The Hulkster to be the better worker.
“I will say to this day, and people will ‘bag’. Here’s the clickbait: Hogan is a better worker than Flair, for me. I always had amazing matches with Hogan because he knew exactly who he was as a babyface, as a heel, whatever. He was so great. He knew his audience. He didn’t do anything he didn’t have to. It was one of my favourite times in my career.”
While somebody with the experience, technical ability and longevity in the business like Chris Jericho should not be ignored in expressing opinions like this, you have to imagine that a great number of his peers will disagree. Hulk Hogan’s ability to entertain cannot be questioned but to describe him as a better worker than one of the best to lace ’em up will certainly get people talking.
What do you think? Is Jericho correct in his assessment? Has Le Champion lost his mind? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!
