Hulk Hogan on "Off The Record", you'll love it...

[Guest Downhome]

I got this recap from 1wrestling, that someone sent them...

 

I just watched Hulk Hogan on "Off The Record" here in Canada.

 

He talked about Mick Foley and why he, at 49, can still wrestle but Mick can't. He said, and I qoute, "I don't have to prostitute my body like Mick did when he's going through glass and off of cages. When he was eating M & M's and cheeseburgers, I was training in the gym."

 

Hogan said he would bring back Steve Austin if he was Vince and he thought one of the reasons Austin left might be having Debra working with him. He said that when he goes to work for thee or four days and comes home, his wife and kids treat him like a king and that time apart is a good thing.

 

He says The Rock was smart to go into movies because when he did, Stallone and Arnold were still young and now they are old, so basically Rock can make a name for himself with all of them going away. He said that guys in the back say bad stuff about Rock but they don't understand what he's going through, but Hogan does.

 

Merry Christmas everyone.

 

...ok people, I know it's coming, so let the flaming of Hulk Hogan begin once again. I still like the guy, always have and always will...

 

...am I evil?

 

Sincerely,

...Downhome...

[ChrisMWaters 0]

You're not evil

 

I like Hogan.

 

His views are jaded...but still.

[Guest Downhome]

You're not evil

 

I like Hogan.

 

His views are jaded...but still.

I love the Hulk Hogan DVD, I mark out so much when I watch it, even though I've seen almost everything on it countless of times, lol.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

You're not evil

 

I like Hogan.

 

His views are jaded...but still.

I love the Hulk Hogan DVD, I mark out so much when I watch it, even though I've seen almost everything on it countless of times, lol.

Heh...me too.

 

Personally, I would like a DVD set with every one of Hogan's televised matches from the start of his career to today...just to say I have them.

[Guest Downhome]

You're not evil

 

I like Hogan.

 

His views are jaded...but still.

I love the Hulk Hogan DVD, I mark out so much when I watch it, even though I've seen almost everything on it countless of times, lol.

Heh...me too.

 

Personally, I would like a DVD set with every one of Hogan's televised matches from the start of his career to today...just to say I have them.

I'm pathatic, I mark out just hearing his theme song (any of them). I instantly want to start to do his taunts and motions, and usually just give into the music. Hogan could be 99 years old, walking to the ring with a walker, to his music, and I'd still love it and be marking out like hell.

 

I may not be evil for liking him, but let me ask you this...

 

...am I evil for wanting him to be the World Champ almost always when he's active, tell me, am I!?

[ChrisMWaters 0]

You're not evil

 

I like Hogan.

 

His views are jaded...but still.

I love the Hulk Hogan DVD, I mark out so much when I watch it, even though I've seen almost everything on it countless of times, lol.

Heh...me too.

 

Personally, I would like a DVD set with every one of Hogan's televised matches from the start of his career to today...just to say I have them.

I'm pathatic, I mark out just hearing his theme song (any of them). I instantly want to start to do his taunts and motions, and usually just give into the music. Hogan could be 99 years old, walking to the ring with a walker, to his music, and I'd still love it and be marking out like hell.

 

I may not be evil for liking him, but let me ask you this...

 

...am I evil for wanting him to be the World Champ almost always when he's active, tell me, am I!?

Um...not sure.

 

Me...I'd want Hogan to either become a manager or commentator.

 

That to me would be kinda interesting.

[Guest Downhome]

You're not evil

 

I like Hogan.

 

His views are jaded...but still.

I love the Hulk Hogan DVD, I mark out so much when I watch it, even though I've seen almost everything on it countless of times, lol.

Heh...me too.

 

Personally, I would like a DVD set with every one of Hogan's televised matches from the start of his career to today...just to say I have them.

I'm pathatic, I mark out just hearing his theme song (any of them). I instantly want to start to do his taunts and motions, and usually just give into the music. Hogan could be 99 years old, walking to the ring with a walker, to his music, and I'd still love it and be marking out like hell.

 

I may not be evil for liking him, but let me ask you this...

 

...am I evil for wanting him to be the World Champ almost always when he's active, tell me, am I!?

Um...not sure.

 

Me...I'd want Hogan to either become a manager or commentator.

 

That to me would be kinda interesting.

I'd like that too if he doesn't wrestle, the only problem with him being a manager, is that he'd basicly overshadow ANYONE who he was with. I mean, who could he possibly mannage, and yet, not be the true focul point?

[Guest godthedog]

You're not evil

 

I like Hogan.

 

His views are jaded...but still.

He talked about Mick Foley and why he, at 49, can still wrestle but Mick can't. He said, and I qoute, "I don't have to prostitute my body like Mick did when he's going through glass and off of cages. When he was eating M & M's and cheeseburgers, I was training in the gym."

^there's nothing jaded about that statement. it's arrogant, presumptuous and ignorant. first, i'd hardly call the slow-motion loafing he does nowadays "wrestling." second, he can still get in the ring today because he NEVER TOOK ANY BUMPS. PERIOD. the fact that he can "wrestle" today is just a testament to how little he physically gave in comparison to the guys who busted their asses & actually cared about having a good match (harley race, dynamite kid, etc). fuck hulk hogan and his monster ego, he fought some of the greatest workers in america and still couldn't have a great match to save his life, 'mindgames' totally blows away anything he has ever done.

[Guest Downhome]

While what you say is partly true, and I agree with you, I must say this...

 

...Mick Foley basicly had to take the route of the bumps and whatnot to get over, Hulk Hogan did it on charisma alone. Neither one of these guys are good "wrestlers", they had their own niche which got them over, and it wasn't wrestling for either one of them.

[Guest godthedog]

in retrospect, it looks to me like foley became a superstar more through HIS own charisma rather than his in-ring work. mr socko made him more popular than any of his matches ever did. by his own admission, he was more over than he'd ever been in 1999, when his in-ring work started to suck. with lazy wrestling and promo work, he could probably still get away with being on the roster & being hugely over to this day, but he chose to retire because he cares about his craft and couldn't contribute to it anymore.

[Guest Brian]

Not to mention the countless number of awesome and varied promos he cut with so much edge and character something Hogan doesn't really show. Foley was a great wrestler. He busted his ass, he took the hard bumps when they were needed, he knew how to work a crowd and he knew how to wrestle. Far above Hogan.

[Guest Nevermortal]

Dear Hulk Hogan,

 

Its wrestlers like Mick Foley which made me stop liking wrestlers like you.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

Yeah, Mick did prostitute his body, but that alone didn't get him over. Otherwise bump freaks like Spike Dudley and Tommy Dreamer would be over in the WWE.

 

Mick was a great promo guy. That's what got him as far as he went.

 

And while Foley often took the route of big bumps over working smart, watching his match with Michaels shows that he could make those bumps make sense, when he wanted to. Certainly better than anything the orange goblin could hope to accomplish.

[Guest NoSelfWorth]

Terry Bollea is just a bitter old fuck now that the world does not revolve around him. He is desperate to claim any spotlight he can to feed his huge ego. He just can't accept that his time is over, and he needs to move on. I hope if he does get his match with Vince, and he does the legdrop, that his hip breaks into fifty pieces. That'll teach him to shoot up on steroids for 15 years.

[Guest SP-1]

While I have nothing serious to contribute, I felt I should share my thought process while considering a part of this recap.

 

*ahem*

When he was eating M & M's and cheeseburgers, I was training in the gym."

 

I was originally going to say something about how Hogan must have had tongue planted firmly in cheek. Then I remembered that it's probably more like with needle planted firmly in cheek.

 

 

that is all.

 

Merry Christmas.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

...am I evil for wanting him to be the World Champ almost always when he's active, tell me, am I!?

Not if the defending champ is HHH.

[Guest MideonMark]

For those of you who care, heres the interview in full:

 

 

Landsberg introduces the Hulkster as one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time and the greatest performer ever, the biggest money maker in the history and the greatest crossover star wrestling has ever produced. Landsberg stops and asks Hogan if he is describing The Rock or Hulk Hogan. Hogan tells him with a smirk on his face that The Rock is the brother who walked through the door when Hulk opened it for him. Landsberg gets the quick plug for Hogan’s book in at the start of the interview and gets down to business.

 

 

The two begin discussing Hogan’s relationship with Vince McMahon. Landsberg says that they have been intertwined for their entire careers. Hogan made Vince, and in a lot of ways Vince made Hogan. The host wants to know what the problem is between the two in the present. Hulk agrees that there’s a history between him and Vince, as it does take two to tango. Hogan doesn’t know what the problem is. He did Wrestlemania, and then 5 or 6 PPVs and several house shows. Hogan said it got to a point where he needed a little break due to his age and current condition. “I hear ya brother,” Landsberg remarks. Hogan says he needed a break, but did the match with Brock Lesnar and made him look like a million dollars because Lesnar’s such a great talent, and then took some time off. When it came time to discuss Hogan’s return, Hogan said he looked at Plan A and didn’t really care for it that much. Landsberg says Plan A was Hogan putting Lesnar over a second time. Hogan replies that the problem wasn’t doing the job, and that a lot of people missed the point. Hogan said his problem was the content of the show. Plan B, like Plan A, was not, from a content standpoint, something Hollywood wanted to be a part of. They were, as Hogan put it, Springer-style stories. Him and McMahon spoke a couple of times to discuss the situation, then in a third call, Hogan says that he rudely interrupted McMahon at one point, and then Hogan said he wasn’t going to do anything until January 1st, 2003. Hogan’s contract expires January 14, 2002. Hogan is not sure if Vince wants to speak to him again, but Hogan wants to come back with a story that will “take the high road.” It’s Hogan’s belief that after 9/11, people are tired of shock TV and they want to “take the high road.” He used this expression several times in this instance. He makes reference to him cutting a promo with The Rock on RAW and selling out the SkyDome as an example.

 

Landsberg draws from Hogan’s answers that Hulk wants a throwback style creatively. Hogan responds with a strong no, and that his point was missed completely. Hogan says he’s talking about the natural progression of a product, he’s talking about not trying to move by someone who is established and their loyal fan base. Hogan thinks that if he went on a bit of a run and then Brock Lesnar wiped him out, it really would have meant something, but instead, in Hogan’s opinion, Lesnar defeated a Hulk Hogan who had been beaten on TV for the past 10 weeks didn’t mean as much. Hogan feels that he still has a lot to give and that WWE shouldn’t be pushing aside his character at this point.

 

Landsberg asks Hogan to make a pitch to him as he would to Vince McMahon with this creative method. Hogan says that the only thing that’s real in pro wrestling is the fact that the fans believed in the comeback of “the old man, Hulk Hogan.” Hogan says why not capitalize and give the fans something to cheer for instead of taking it away from him. Hogan takes plays devil’s advocate for a second and says that he was losing and the fans still cheered, but then Hogan asks what would happen if the Hollywood character got a spring in his step and gained momentum. Perhaps the fans would say, “Oh my God he’s coming back! He’s larger than life…” and at that point, the torch should be gracefully passed as the fans know the up-and-coming stars like Kidman (Hogan also added Jericho but then stopped himself and said Jericho was already at a higher level). Hogan feels, in summary, that the progression should have been more natural and that it takes the fans longer to warm up to a character that would be expected to compete at that level. Hogan said he had no idea that the fans would react to the Hollywood character like they did, citing the positive and negative reaction for he and Rock respectively at WM 18. Hogan says they stumbled onto something great, and why not capitalize on it. The segment closed, and both Hogan and Landsberg did the NWO two-handed point

 

At the beginning of the next segment, Michael Landsberg makes mention to the fact that the WWE’s popularity in the U.S. has declined whereas, in terms of TV ratings, the WWE is as good or better than it has ever been in Canada.

 

The interview turns to who both Landsberg and Hogan say resurrected the WWF in the late 1990s, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and his walkout. Hogan does not understand why Austin left. Landsberg makes mention to a recent OTR interview with Paul Heyman and that Austin, according to Heyman, had issues with the company’s direction. Hogan said that if his problems were similar to those of Stone Cold, he would pass the torch and then move on. Hogan makes mention to the WWE roster and says Austin would not be in the position he is in if it weren’t for them. Any one of them could have no-sold the Stunner.

 

Landsberg makes mention to how easily people who can draw are forgiven in wrestling, and asks Hulk if Stone Cold’s almost certain return is a good move. Hogan says it’s a business move, and says he’d bring him back, but first he’d want to know why he left. Hogan reveals that Austin was supposed to job to Scott Hall at Wrestlemania, but there was some commotion in the back and the finish was changed. Hogan wonders if perhaps there were some personal issues involved, as Steve Austin and Debra were together 24/7, and Hogan has learned that sometimes time apart for two or three days can be a good thing. Hogan thinks it could have been a combination of business and the home life, but he’s sure that Austin had his reasons.

 

The topic of discussion now shifts to The Rock and how his character should be re-introduced if/when he returns. Landsberg indicates that the fans don’t take to The Rock quite like they used to. Hogan points out that this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and that getting booed out of the building is a positive as well. No reaction would be bad news. Hogan says the fans have figured Rock out, in the sense that he is using wrestling as a springboard to a career in movies. Hogan compares this to the birth of the Hollywood character in WCW. Hogan doesn’t regret doing the movies however, even though doing movies in the past was viewed negatively by the WWF. A good example of this was when Hogan was fired after shooting Rocky III.

 

Hogan says that there is some jealousy towards The Rock backstage, and some things being said that are not factual. Hogan said that The Rock is very professional as the strongly negative reaction at Wrestlemania was unexpected, but both Hogan and Rock listened to each other in the match and managed to find an even ground when it was all said and done. Nevertheless, some in the back don’t understand the situation. Landsberg says that there is only one person who could possibly relate and that’s Hulk Hogan. Landsberg asks Hollywood if he likes how Rock has handled the situation. Hogan says that he does and has tremendous respect for him. He thinks Vince should welcome Rock back with open arms, as Rocky always puts over the WWE and gives his blood and guts to the company. Hogan says that The Rock’s crossover had better timing than his own. Hulk’s break-in period occurred when Stallone and Schwarzenegger were in their prime, whereas The Rock is capitalizing on the movie industry’s search for the new group of action stars. The segment closes with Landsberg complimenting Hogan and his longevity, saying that he was there in the past, is there now and will be there in the future.

 

Off The Record Quirky Fact: Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett was the voice of Hulk Hogan in the cartoon series “Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘N Wrestling”.

 

Returning from the break, Landsberg makes mention to a past interview with The Undertaker, and how Mark Calloway assumed a type of ring general approach backstage. This is an approach that Hogan never used during his career, and Landsberg asks why Hollywood never assumed this kind of role. Hulk said he isn’t exactly sure how far Taker’s role is taken backstage, and hasn’t seen him actually take someone aside. Hogan said that, in terms of himself, he never went out to the ring without knowing what his job was, and that he always did his job. He says he will not put himself in a position that will result in him being put over or putting someone else over because of a personal vendetta. He will, for the sake of business, put over Andre The Giant or Billy Kidman because it is entertainment.

 

Landsberg discusses Hogan’s condition and asks how he has stayed in such condition for so long. Hogan disagrees and says his body is “trashed”. On good days he is limping. Hogan says that everything is a calculated risk for him, but he still has had two knee operations, a chronic lower back problem and numbness in his hands from getting dropped on his head years back. Landsberg mentions that Mick Foley needed help climbing up a small riser to get onto the set. Hogan says everyone has a certain level of self-respect, and that it’s probable that he’s trained more in the last week than Mick Foley has trained in the last thirty years. While Mick Foley was sleeping and eating junk food, Hulk was in the gym. “The early bird ain’t no worm,” Hogan says, and that he is training while others are partying. Hogan says that there are different ways of conducting yourself in the business that can increase or decrease longevity. He makes mention to Trish Stratus. A woman who Hogan thought originally was just a pretty little girl using her looks to get attention in the business will take wide-open face-first bumps and does other moves that she’ll really feel in ten years. Trish has proven that she’s one of the guys. Hogan says that you need to be versatile in a business sense to make it as well. You need to be able to cut promos, have a good character, deal with the locker room distractions, discuss business concerning demographics and awareness levels.

 

As they end the segment, Hogan says that Landsberg is doing a great job. I absolutely agree. The interview has been very insightful and interesting thus far.

 

They return for the final segment to talk about Hogan’s high level of respect and admiration for Andre the Giant. Hogan said that when he arrived in New York in the WWWF, he was young, cocky, and the biggest guy in the business after Andre. The two did not get along, as they were jostling for position. After traveling together in Japan, Hogan eventually got on Andre’s good side, and then the two had a lot of fun together in their matches. Hogan still worried a lot for Andre because of how uncomfortable his lifestyle was. Andre was sometimes the subject of admiration, but often the subject of ridicule and this hurt Hogan’s feelings a lot because he knew what a good heart Andre had. Hogan puts Andre at the top of the list in terms of the wrestling business. Andre was an attraction all by himself.

 

The show closes with a clip from Wrestlemania 18 with Hogan hulking up after kicking out of the Rock Bottom

[Guest EternallyLazy]

You're not evil

 

I like Hogan.

 

His views are jaded...but still.

I love the Hulk Hogan DVD, I mark out so much when I watch it, even though I've seen almost everything on it countless of times, lol.

Heh...me too.

 

Personally, I would like a DVD set with every one of Hogan's televised matches from the start of his career to today...just to say I have them.

Fuck the Hogan dvd (as good as it is) I want to see a goddamn Flair dvd!

[Guest BillyTheStud]

. Hogan reveals that Austin was supposed to job to Scott Hall at Wrestlemania

 

And the WWE wonders why Austin would leave them. Hall, Nash, and Hogan are all useless old shits who don't even deserve to be put over Bubba Dudley.

[Guest Mad Dog]

As much as I love Mick Foley, what Hogan said was true.

 

I think he was just pointing out a fact of life. If it seems negative he can't really help that.

[Yuna_Firerose 0]

QUOTE  

. Hogan reveals that Austin was supposed to job to Scott Hall at Wrestlemania

 

 

And the WWE wonders why Austin would leave them. Hall, Nash, and Hogan are all useless old shits who don't even deserve to be put over Bubba Dudley.

 

You've got it backwards....it's AUSTIN that doesn't deserve to be put over a useless shit like Bubba.

 

Look how many times the nWo were his bitches in matches. The writers always gave Austin the most impossible of odds... let's see, Austin was able to defeat both Hall and Nash and WX8, Austin defeated Booker T in a freakin' Lumberjack match, Austin single-handedly destroyed any heat nWo could possibly have. Just look at the one PPV (I forget which) where he beat Ric Flair and Big Show with interference by X-Pac. Sooooo....we're to believe the Texan is a god or something?

[Guest Brian]

Ever wonder why? Hall was drinking, Nash was hurt, both were lazy, and all three guys had horrible reps.

[Yuna_Firerose 0]

I'm a fan of Hall, although I will admit that his matches weren't that good.

 

But still, Austin should not have beaten the nWo as much as he did. And I don't care what anyone says about 'Pac or Scott, NOONE sold the stunner better than they did. What comes to mind is SC giving 'Pac the stunner, and 'Pac flying halfway across the ring, damn near kicking Ric Flair (who was in the ring). Pretty funny, actually.

 

I'm listening to Trish's new theme song and this lil cartoon is in perfect synch with the beat....it's crazy

[Guest Downhome]

I agree, they failed to make the nWo anything in their return in the fans eyes. Had they pushed them correctly, they could have been used in a great way, especially if a few WWE guys had joined to round it out with actual good workers.

 

It's like WWE just put them on TV, with no plan at ALL, just like almost EVERYTHING they did this year, and the year before.

[Guest Brian]

But there was no need to higher them and no need to disrupt things to booker around a drunk and two politicians, one who was horribly injury-prone and the other in the fifty-year range.

[Guest NoSelfWorth]

Vince was desperate, and when he gets desperate he will do anything to try and fix things.

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

I don't see a single thing in that interview that I disagree with or that can be directly refuted.

[Guest pappajacks]

Unlike Paul Heyman (who was on Off The Record a week ago), Hogan did not dodge any questions. He was very candid.

[Guest NoSelfWorth]

I hope you two are joking.

[Guest Downhome]

I still say that to not be able to see that the nWo COULD have made money, is insane. By having the group with Hall and Nash, and then have other people who could have fit in, with Hogan kicked out, could have been great.

 

I still say they should have had Hogan win at Wrestlemania, had Rocky turn heel because of the loss and the fans turning on him, and had nWo kick out Hogan for catering to the fans once again. I would have had Rocky join nWo as a cocky heel, and I would have had RVD join also as his cocky heel.

 

It could have worked, but WWE had NO PLANS apparently, just as usual.