Hulk Hogan has undoubtedly shaped the landscape of professional wrestling, turning it into a mainstream phenomenon. While he was pivotal during wrestling’s early boom and the onset of the Attitude Era, he is also known for making some rather outrageous claims over the years.
Many fans have come to enjoy revisiting Hogan’s more fantastical stories, despite numerous refutations from those in the know. Here’s a look at some of Hogan’s most notable fabrications.
Elvis Presley Was a Hulkamania Fan
Hogan once claimed that Elvis Presley was a fan of Hulkamania. However, given that Elvis passed away in 1977—two years before Hogan’s debut in Memphis—this assertion seems unlikely. While Elvis was indeed a wrestling fan and might have enjoyed a crossover match with Jerry Lawler, the timeline just doesn’t add up.
Auditioning for Metallica
Hogan has also boasted about nearly joining Metallica as their bassist. He claimed to have sent in audition tapes and suggested that Lars Ulrich was keen on him. However, when asked, James Hetfield simply laughed off Hogan’s assertion, indicating it never happened.
Buster Douglas Avoided Hogan
In a curious claim, Hogan stated that Buster Douglas, famous for knocking out Mike Tyson, was afraid to face him in the ring. According to Hogan, Vince McMahon was trying to set up a match, but the idea that Douglas would be scared of Hogan seems far-fetched, given his boxing accomplishments.
Andre the Giant’s Weight
Hogan has inflated Andre the Giant’s weight to a staggering 600 pounds during their legendary WrestleMania III match. The reality is that Andre was officially billed at 520 pounds. Hogan has even claimed that the bodyslam he executed broke several of Andre’s back muscles, but in truth, Andre had been slammed many times before and lived several years after their match.
Hogan’s Neck Injury from Undertaker
Hogan claimed that he suffered a broken neck after taking The Undertaker’s Tombstone Piledriver. Footage from the match clearly shows that Hogan’s neck did not make contact with the floor, suggesting that Hogan was exaggerating his injury, potentially to undermine The Undertaker’s rising career.
Additional (Dis)honorable Mentions
Hogan has also made some other questionable claims, such as wrestling 400 days in a single year, and asserting that he was a fan of Kevin Owens before Owens became well-known in WWE. He even once claimed to have outdrank John Belushi, despite Belushi having passed away years earlier.
Hogan’s denials about steroid use have also become part of his controversial legacy. These stories illustrate the larger-than-life persona Hogan has crafted, often blending reality with fiction in the world of professional wrestling.