5 times Vince McMahon was forced to make a superstar World Champion

#3. Hulk Hogan - WrestleMania IX

Hogan politicked his way into a World title

You're probably asking, "Why would Vince McMahon be forced to make one of the most decorated icons of pro wrestling a World champion?" Well, this case is a bit different from the previous two mentioned.

Hulk Hogan had left WWE in 1992 in the midst of a steroid scandal investigation and as a result, Vince McMahon decided to push a young Bret Hart to the top. The Hitman would walk into WrestleMania IX as WWF Champion, taking on Yokozuna.

Hulk Hogan incidentally happened to be returning for the event - in a far less prominent match, where he teamed with real-life best friend Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake in an unsuccessful effort at the tag team titles.

The problem was that Hulk Hogan had one condition for his return - he had to end WrestleMania IX as World Champion, otherwise there was no deal. Hogan still had money despite being far more trim and leaner than before.

It resulted in the worst ending in WrestleMania history, where Yokozuna beat Hart for the title and lost it to Hogan in 22 seconds.

Hogan was supposed to drop it to Bret Hart at SummerSlam in a "passing of the torch" match, but he refused to do that, so he dropped it back to Yokozuna soon after and departed WWE for good.

Hogan was one of the few wrestlers who garnered a status that was bigger than the industry itself. He dictated ticket sales and pay-per-view sellouts, and the WWE was in no position to negotiate with a demi god they had themselves created.