Post by Banned Member on Jan 26, 2007 19:51:23 GMT -5
Hulk Hogan has been the subject of controversy throughout the latter part of his career. Many fans and wrestlers alike considered him a "politician" who used his influence to secure a spot at the top of the roster. When asked about his apparent refusal to job or sell moves in a 2005 interview, Hogan stated, "Verne Gagne, for three years, told me not to go down to a knee. That put me into a spot where everybody wanted to say 'Well, he doesn't want to do a job. He can't work. He can't take bumps.' Promoters said 'Man, if you go off your feet, we're not going to make any money. You're the Hulk!' You need to know the whole picture of this business." Hogan is rumored to have taken down Gagne with a front facelock following a heated dispute that became physical.
Despite his success, Hogan rarely wrestled technically proficient matches in the United States, relying more on his charisma than his pure wrestling ability. In his tours of Japan, where workrate is appreciated by the fans more than theatricality, he would wrestle a more technically sound style and use maneuvers not seen by the U.S. crowd, such as the Enzuigiri.
Wrestling contemporary, Bill Goldberg once asked Hogan on how to become successful in the wrestling business, to which he replied "Less is more", meaning that taking a minimalist approach to in ring work while letting charisma get you over is the key. He is widely regarded as having acted as a catalyst in the gradual movement of professional wrestling away from sport and towards entertainment.
In 1985, on the TV show Hot Properties, Hogan demonstrated a chin lock on host Richard Belzer. Belzer fell unconscious to the floor and required stitches in his scalp. He sued Hogan for $5 million, settling out of court.
In January 1996, Hogan was sued for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman named Kate Kennedy. Hogan filed a countersuit citing extortion and was subsequently acquitted of all charges.
Finally, Hogan's lengthy career and multiple faux retirements have led to jibes about his inability to "leave the spotlight." Hogan continues to wrestle despite having an artificial hip and various nagging injuries. Many insiders and Fans have accused Hogan of "not knowing when to quit and call it a day", because in one form or another, Hogan continues to participate in matches or is involved in mini segments (such as a run in, or a Interview show), and effectively trying to "steal the spotlight from everyone else". As early as 1996, the WWF parodied Hogan (then working for WCW) with a character known as "The Huckster."
In August of 2005, Hogan was heavily mocked and parodied by his SummerSlam opponent Shawn Michaels. While many mockeries within professional wrestling are usually worked, Michaels actually worked in a "shoot" mode while mocking Hogan. Along with overusing the word "brother" One of these segments of mockery by Michaels was when he parodied Hogan's appearance on Larry King Live where Michaels (dressed up as Hogan) moved with the assistance of a Walker and suffered back cramps (a mockery of his history of back problems over the years). Michaels also poked fun at his backstage persona (when asked "Are you a good guy or a bad guy?" Michaels responded with "Well on camera brother, I'm a GREAT guy....but when the cameras go off brother- it's a different story"). After watching a video package on Shawn Michaels, "Hogan" responded with "Well, it looks like I'm going to have to do some serious politicing with Vincent K. McMahon". He also claimed that he didn't care about the fans either, saying "Once they're in the building, you've already got their cash in your front pocket". Michaels' comments were not only designed to mock Hogan, but they were used in reference to Hogan's backstage persona- it is heavily believed by WWE Insiders that Hogan used his influence to persuade Vince of the outcome of the SummerSlam match between himself and Shawn Michaels- and since Vince needed Hogan to appear at WWE Homecoming later in the year, Vince reluctantly agreed. However, many fans and insiders would state that during the match it was Shawn Michaels who impressed and carried the SummerSlam match with his performance and that they were disappointed with the ending of the match.
Shawn Michaels would appear on Raw the next night and continue to mock Hogan in his hometown, with such quotes such as "Unless he needs another paycheck, he's not coming back". Hogan responded to this in an interview with The Sun that he was disappointed with Michaels' promo and that he would, from hereon in, refuse to work with him anymore. Hogan's backstage influence and what happened to Shawn Michaels has been a concern with Stone Cold Steve Austin whom Hogan wants to have a match with. Austin has expressed interest in doing so, but also stated that he will have "none of that bullshit" (in reference to Hogan's backstage influence in the match).
credit: NoDQ.com > Features > A look at some of Hulk Hogan's dark moments
Posted by Aaron Rift on 07/15/2006 at 01:30 PM
Despite his success, Hogan rarely wrestled technically proficient matches in the United States, relying more on his charisma than his pure wrestling ability. In his tours of Japan, where workrate is appreciated by the fans more than theatricality, he would wrestle a more technically sound style and use maneuvers not seen by the U.S. crowd, such as the Enzuigiri.
Wrestling contemporary, Bill Goldberg once asked Hogan on how to become successful in the wrestling business, to which he replied "Less is more", meaning that taking a minimalist approach to in ring work while letting charisma get you over is the key. He is widely regarded as having acted as a catalyst in the gradual movement of professional wrestling away from sport and towards entertainment.
In 1985, on the TV show Hot Properties, Hogan demonstrated a chin lock on host Richard Belzer. Belzer fell unconscious to the floor and required stitches in his scalp. He sued Hogan for $5 million, settling out of court.
In January 1996, Hogan was sued for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman named Kate Kennedy. Hogan filed a countersuit citing extortion and was subsequently acquitted of all charges.
Finally, Hogan's lengthy career and multiple faux retirements have led to jibes about his inability to "leave the spotlight." Hogan continues to wrestle despite having an artificial hip and various nagging injuries. Many insiders and Fans have accused Hogan of "not knowing when to quit and call it a day", because in one form or another, Hogan continues to participate in matches or is involved in mini segments (such as a run in, or a Interview show), and effectively trying to "steal the spotlight from everyone else". As early as 1996, the WWF parodied Hogan (then working for WCW) with a character known as "The Huckster."
In August of 2005, Hogan was heavily mocked and parodied by his SummerSlam opponent Shawn Michaels. While many mockeries within professional wrestling are usually worked, Michaels actually worked in a "shoot" mode while mocking Hogan. Along with overusing the word "brother" One of these segments of mockery by Michaels was when he parodied Hogan's appearance on Larry King Live where Michaels (dressed up as Hogan) moved with the assistance of a Walker and suffered back cramps (a mockery of his history of back problems over the years). Michaels also poked fun at his backstage persona (when asked "Are you a good guy or a bad guy?" Michaels responded with "Well on camera brother, I'm a GREAT guy....but when the cameras go off brother- it's a different story"). After watching a video package on Shawn Michaels, "Hogan" responded with "Well, it looks like I'm going to have to do some serious politicing with Vincent K. McMahon". He also claimed that he didn't care about the fans either, saying "Once they're in the building, you've already got their cash in your front pocket". Michaels' comments were not only designed to mock Hogan, but they were used in reference to Hogan's backstage persona- it is heavily believed by WWE Insiders that Hogan used his influence to persuade Vince of the outcome of the SummerSlam match between himself and Shawn Michaels- and since Vince needed Hogan to appear at WWE Homecoming later in the year, Vince reluctantly agreed. However, many fans and insiders would state that during the match it was Shawn Michaels who impressed and carried the SummerSlam match with his performance and that they were disappointed with the ending of the match.
Shawn Michaels would appear on Raw the next night and continue to mock Hogan in his hometown, with such quotes such as "Unless he needs another paycheck, he's not coming back". Hogan responded to this in an interview with The Sun that he was disappointed with Michaels' promo and that he would, from hereon in, refuse to work with him anymore. Hogan's backstage influence and what happened to Shawn Michaels has been a concern with Stone Cold Steve Austin whom Hogan wants to have a match with. Austin has expressed interest in doing so, but also stated that he will have "none of that bullshit" (in reference to Hogan's backstage influence in the match).
credit: NoDQ.com > Features > A look at some of Hulk Hogan's dark moments
Posted by Aaron Rift on 07/15/2006 at 01:30 PM