ZANGIEF wants Hogan

The “Red Cyclone” is officially the most frustrated man in combat sports. Zangief has been seen outside Vince McMahon’s office in Stamford, Connecticut, demanding a shot at Hulk Hogan.

THE PROBLEM: The “WWF Mafia” has strict championship protocols. Zangief is currently ranked #4 Pound-per-Pound, but to challenge “The Immortal” Hogan for the UWC Gold, you must be the #2 P4P contender or hold a major title.

• The Rock (#2 P4P) currently holds that slot, even with his recent “injury” timeout.

• The Belts: All major belts (Heavyweight, Cruiserweight) are currently vacant or locked in tournament play. Kurt Angle holds the Light Heavyweight title, but Zangief is 150 pounds over the limit—he’d have to cut off a leg to make weight!

[[ THE ROAD TO ROYAL RUMBLE 2001 ]]

Zangief’s path to Hogan is blocked by a wall of scheduling. If he wants Hogan, he has two options, and both are high-risk:

1. THE SUPER-HEAVYWEIGHT ASCENSION

Zangief is currently the #2 ranked Super-Heavyweight. He is scheduled to face the winner of the Bob Sapp vs. Vader Finals at the Royal Rumble in January. Winning that belt would give him the “Champion’s Clause” to force a cross-divisional fight with Hogan.

2. THE UFC COLLISION

The UFC Championship, currently held by Ken Shamrock, has no weight limit. Zangief could technically challenge for it. However, Shamrock is already locked in for a “Blood and Guts” title defense against the street-fighting legend Kimbo Slice at the Royal Rumble. Zangief would have to wait for the fallout of that war.

[[ LARRY MERCHANT’S TAKE: THE ROCK VS. THE RUSSIAN ]]

LARRY MERCHANT: “It’s a classic squeeze play, Jim. Zangief wants the top dog, but the Mafia is making him jump through hoops. If he wants Hogan before the spring, he has to overthrow The Rock for that #2 P4P spot. That means Zangief needs a ‘Statement Win’ against another Top 5 fighter—maybe a guy like Ken or Sagat. He’s a beast, but in the WWF, you don’t just fight the Champion; you fight the Bureaucracy.”

JIM LAMPLEY: “The fans want Zangief vs. Hogan. The ratings would be astronomical. But until Zangief gets some gold around his waist or knocks The Rock off his pedestal, the Russian Bear is stuck in the woods.”

[[ ADMIN_NEIL NOTE: Zangief’s frustration is reaching a boiling point. If he doesn’t get a “big name” soon, rumors say he might just invade the ring during the Royal Rumble and start tossing everyone out until Hogan shows up. ]]