Posted by Rohan on 10:29:57 16/04/02:

From foxsports.com.au -

Hollywood Hulk Hogan, the most recognisable and most revered figure in professional wrestling, will come to Australia as part of the World Wrestling Federation's Global Warning Tour in August.

Vince McMahon, the chairman of World Wrestling Federation Entertainment and the genius behind the sports entertainment empire, was in Melbourne last Thursday to signal the company's first tour of Australia in more than a decade.

Hogan will give his legion of fans down under, many of whom followed The Hulkster since the Ten Network screened the inaugural Wrestlemania event in 1984, their first chance to see him "live".

"I was reminded just before leaving Tucson, Arizona (where Smackdown was held this week) by Hulk Hogan that he has never been to Australia before and is really looking forward to it.

Hogan, Triple H and The Rock will headline the pay-per-view style event in Melbourne on August 10, labelled by the World Wrestling Federation as the Global Warning Tour.

"Without revealing too many names on the show that night there is no doubt that WWF Undisputed Champion Triple H very much wants to be here to defend the title," McMahon said.

"I know another individual that is very much looking forward to coming here is busy promoting a film called The Scorpion King. The Rock can't wait to come back to Australia."

McMahon confirmed the SmackDown roster would be joined by the WWF Undisputed Champion on the tour, members of the RAW cast remaining back in the United States to prepare for their show 48 hours laters. That means Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker and the nWo are not coming.

Fans of the RAW stars need not despair as McMahon announced that the WWF had signed on with Colonial to use the venue for tours for next three years and it is likely the show brands will alternate. He added that visits may not be just annual events, in fact two visits per year is a consideration.

It is anticipated that 30 wrestlers will be on hand and among them will likely be Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, Edge, the Hardy Boys and Tazz.

Former Olympian and the world's strongest man Mark Henry, who recently lifted almost 400kg twice to win that title, and leggy blonde WWF diva Stacy Keibler joined McMahon on the promotional visit. Both were warmly received by about 200 fans at the hastily convened press conference to announce the tour, which goes on sale through Ticketmaster on May 20.

"We look forward to having a World Wrestling Federation extravaganza in this magnificent stadium," McMahon said as he glanced out of the Medallion Club in the direction of the playing arena at Colonial Stadium.

Fans coming on the night can expect to see all the features recognisable on the television and pay-per-view telecast, including the large screens at each end of the venue, pyrotechnics and the great musical introductions that are synonymous with each superstar.

The event is expected to generate about $4 million for the Victorian economy with fans likely to fly in from around the country to see the stars in the arena that will hold close to 60,000 people. It is anticipated a stadium attendance record will be set by the WWF and that the event will be a sell-out.

Quickly, in ring news, Triple H and Hogan clashed at the end of SmackDown after an incident precipitated by Kurt Angle that forced the pair to collide. When the television show ended, Angle and Chris Jericho, who ran in as Hogan did during Triple H's bout with the Olympic gold medallist, left the icon and the champ staring at the ceiling in the middle of the ring.

Angle and Jericho, having left the ring and started up the ramp to the locker room, decided to head back to the ring to dish out some more punishment before the crowd at Tucson Convention Center but got more than they bargained on. Hogan and Triple H, respectively, leg-dropped and pedigreed them. Hogan challenges Triple H for the title at Backlash on April 22.

After RAW last Tuesday night, Stone Cold Steve Austin stunned Ric Flair, said sorry and then did it again after the show went off air. Austin will meet The Undertaker in a No. 1 contender match at Backlash.

Bradshaw has a feud building with the nWo and man mountain Brock Lesnar looks like he could be gearing up to meet the Hardyz at the pay-per-view.

Kevin Nash underwent surgery on a torn muscle in his arm and will not be seen wrestling for nearly two months, though he will still take part (with his long sleeve nWo shirt to hide the problem) in angles involving the renegade outfit.

(foxsports.com.au)