Top 5 Biggest Cross-Promotional Matches of All Time
Photo Credit: IMPACT Westling
3. Hulk Hogan vs The Great Muta (Wrestling Dontaku 1993)
The first of multiple Wrestling Dontaku events, this saw the height of working relationships with the NJPW event also featuring WCW and WWF wrestlers. 55,000 fans in the Fukuoka saw a variety of exciting match-ups such as Koji Kanemoto as Tiger Mask taking on Jyushin Liger and Antonio Inoki teaming with Tatsumi Fujinami to defeat Genichro Tenryu and Riki Choshu. However, the most anticipated clash saw then-current and 5-time WWF champion Hulk Hogan (with ‘Mountain Of The South’ Jimmy Hart) take on IWGP champion Keiji Mutoh aka The Great Muta.
Hogan’s popularity drew foreign eyes on the product, with his popularity so great that even him describing the WWF’s top belt as “a toy” couldn’t detract viewers. Rather bizarrely, when competing in Japan, Hogan played a heel. In the match itself, Hogan showed off athleticism not shown in the US, delivering an enziguri and rolling knee hold. After 15 minutes, Hogan got the win (naturally), however, the New Japan champion still looked strong in defeat. Muta actually managed to kick out of the Atomic Legdrop – an act unheard of in the USA outside of the botched ending to WrestleMania VIII. In the end, the creator of Hulkamania won via Japanese finisher the Axe Bomber.
In an interesting twist, Hogan teamed up with Muta later that year when the duo defeated The Hell Raisers (Hawk Warrior and Power Warrior) at NJPW G1 Climax Special – Tag 3.
Afterwards, Hogan verbally disowned the WWF title, stating he wanted to win the IWGP belt. With the WWF steroid trial ramping up, Hogan lost the WWF strap shortly afterwards to Yokozuna at King of The Ring via exploding camera. Muta’s reign lasted 400 days, with 3 more reigns after. One of the most influential wrestlers of all time, Keiji Mutoh worked in NJPW as well as the NWA and WCW – regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers to never work for Vince McMahon.
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