Former WWE production executive David Sahadi has shared a behind-the-scenes story about Hulk Hogan winning the WWE Undisputed Championship at Backlash 2002, revealing that Triple H fully expected to retain the title that night.
Speaking with Wrestling Epicenter, Sahadi recalled a gym conversation with Triple H shortly before the pay-per-view. Sahadi needed to know the finish so he could prepare promotional packages for the following night's RAW.
I was at the gym and Triple H was working out. He was sitting next to me. I knew I was going to have to do the promos after the pay-per-view and leading into RAW. So I asked him, 'Who is going over?'
"Hulk Hogan Is Like a KISS Reunion Tour"
Triple H's answer was definitive, and he wasn't shy about his reasoning.
Triple H said, 'I'm going over. Hulk Hogan is great. But he is like a KISS Reunion tour. Or a carton of milk. It gets old fast.'
Sahadi then watched the pay-per-view from home, expecting the outcome Triple H had described. What he saw instead left him stunned.
Everything was going along the way Triple H said it would until Hulk Hogan wins the belt. I was like, 'What the Hell!' I have to believe that is something they changed on the day. I don't believe Triple H was lying to me. I believe he thought, when he said that, he was going over. But he didn't.
The Backlash 2002 title change gave Hogan his sixth and final WWE Championship reign. The Hulkster would hold the title for just under a month before losing it to The Undertaker at Judgment Day 2002.
Sahadi has a new book, Backstage Pass, coming out next month covering his years behind the scenes in WWE and TNA.
