In Defense of…04.12.06: Hulk Hogan (Part 3 of 4)
Posted by JP Prag on 04.12.2006
In Defense of… celebrates it’s 50th issues with the immortal one himself!
In Defense of…
By JP Prag
Issue #50(!!!!!!)
Hulk Hogan (Part 3 of 4)
Intro
Hello people who have been supporting me and my cause for fifty issues now, and welcome back to In Defense Of…! It's Passover, so as you are reading this I am probably at, preparing for, or digesting a Seder. Which, of course, means I am also out of town as well. What else is new? You can find me this week up in the hallowed shores of Massachusetts. No tax jokes, please. Anyway, Jewish holiday or not, we are in the middle of our case for Hulk Hogan, which can be read in Part 1 and Part 2. As you can tell, for a change we won't be wrapping up this case tonight. As it is, I'm having trouble figuring out how I'm going to wrap it up in four. Expect a super-sized last part!
Ok, back to what you came here for. For those new to the concept, this article has a pretty simple premise:
Certain people, events, organizations, and storylines in wrestling history have gotten a bum wrap. Some writers have presented overtly critical comments and outright lies as fact, and others have followed suit. Well no more! "In Defense of…" has one reason: to bring the truth to the wrestling fan!
And that's what I intend to do.
Me? I'm the One and Only JP, and I have been thinking about getting a Slingbox. Anyone have one of those? Is it worth the price? Just wondering…
Stenography
Well, before the sun sets and another Jewish holiday begins, Stenographers, tell us what we already know!
Of course JP! In Part 2, we said this about Part 1:
Last week we started crazy case number five of five because the readers demanded it. Or demanded it not be done, which means that it had to be done. Hulk Hogan began running wild over this article, but not in the way you would think.
You see, long before the "birth" of Hulkamania in 1984 (a disputed point we'll get to), Hulk Hogan was a man named Terry Bollea. Terry was mostly un-athletic growing up, weighing 195 pounds by the time he was 12. When the family relocated to Tampa, FL about when Terry was 14, his life changed. He got involved in a Christian Youth Ranch which helped bring his life into focus. He began to work on his interests in guitar and baseball more seriously than he ever had, becoming quite proficient at both. And most importantly: he discovered a gym and began to sculpt his body was flabby nothingness to one of the most defined bodies in the world at that time.
But Terry was not satisfied with just having cultivated his body, spirit, and interests, he also wanted to cultivate his mind. It was with his innate determination that he enrolled in college to study business.
Despite his wants and desires, college and life were expensive for the poor Hogan, but that would not stop him. Although involved in body building, that would not pay the bills, so he was also a full-time bank teller, part-time bouncer, part-time musician, and all around busy guy. Terry was determined to make his dreams happen, but more importantly put in all the work necessary to make them happen.
Terry never did get to complete his degree, though, because another destiny came calling. He had become acquainted with the Brisco Brothers, who encouraged Terry to begin training as a professional wrestler, and even sought out a trainer for him. That trainer would be Hiro Matsuda, who promptly broke Terry's leg. Terry wasn't sure what to do next with a broken leg, but continued playing with his band until he heeled up. He then went back to Hiro, earning the veteran's respect and the proving his undeniable spirit.
Under Hiro, the future Hogan (I'm calling him Hogan from now on since we are talking wrestling) not only demonstrated a quick affinity for wrestling, but also for connecting with the audience. That is why a year later (1977) he was able to make his pro debut as… THE SUPER DESTROYER! Wrestling the independents and changing his name around, Hogan realized he was spinning his wheels. As a man determined to get ahead, wrestling seemed to be holding him back from his rock and roll dreams and the ability to complete his education. Having enough for a while, he took a job as a longshoreman for a while. But then Terry Funk came to Hogan and convinced him to rejoin the circuit.
Already three wrestling legends had urged to be a part of the sport. They saw the potential in Hogan, though probably never thought he would transform the entire industry. This trip back into the industry proved worth it as Hogan's stock climbed in the independents, most notably SECW where he eventually captured the South East Heavyweight Title. Of course, through most of this Hogan was a hated heel. Moving on to NWA Georgia in 1978 he even got two shots at the NWA Championship.
Also while in SECW he picked up the nickname "The Wrestling Hulk" and while in Memphis he teamed with the future Brutus Beefcake known then as Dizzy Hogan. Wait… Hulk… Hogan… I thought those were McMahon inventions?!?! Well, it seems like not.
In 1979, the newly christened Hulk Hogan made his way up north to the WWWF. Hogan was doing well and was involved in high profile feuds with the champion Bob Backlund, Tony Atlas, and Andre the Giant. Then, in 1981 something really interesting happened. Hogan was personally offered the role of Thunderlips in Rocky III (well before Vince Jr. came into the picture). Concurrently, Vince Sr. was planning on loaning Hogan out Crockett down in the Carolinas. McMahon wanted Hogan to just be a wrestler and do what he was told, but Hogan knew a golden opportunity when he say one and took it. The two parted ways as Hogan worked on the movie and spent some time in Japan, where he was very well received.
As Rocky III was in post-production in 1981, Hogan returned to the states to join Verne Gagne's AWA. Although he was a heel, the fans took to him, especially after his movie premiered. Hogan would go on to have two title victories for the AWA championship that were reversed on him. Much like with RVD in the WWE today, the AWA refused to pull the trigger on his title win. His frustration with the glass ceiling grew to the point where he could not take it anymore. Instead of just complaining, he headed back to Japan in 1982/1983 and then gave his notice to the AWA.
In Japan, Hogan employed a more mat-based arsenal then most in the states were used to seeing from him, but was even more well received by the Japanese crowd. He became the first every IWGP Champion by defeating legend Antonio Inoki by knockout in the finals of the tournament. The two would together go on to earn the MSG Tag League tournament twice. Hogan also released a rock album while in Japan, well before Rock-n-Wrestling ever existed.
Back home, Vince McMahon Jr. had bought his father's company for an insane upside, but planned on making it the first ever national organization. He lured Hogan back to the States to spearhead this effort. Having seen Hulkamania (before the word existed) running wild in the AWA and Japan, McMahon knew that Hogan was the multi-media star he wanted at the head of his organization. The Iron Sheik then won the title from Bob Backlund, who in turn dropped the title a month later to Hulk Hogan.
It was January 23, 1984, and wrestling would never be the same again.
Mazel Tov, Stenographer, but what happened in Part 2?
Funny you should ask that…
Revisionist history would have us believe that as soon as Hogan took the title off the Iron Sheik that wrestling and the WWF suddenly took the world by storm. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although Hogan was very popular, he was not an icon and the WWF was not the be all end all of wrestling. First things first, Hogan had to finish his commitments in Japan and lose the IWGP title to Antonio Inoki. Only after he completed these commitments could he turn his attention to the WWF and Vince McMahon's crazy idea of creating a national promotion.
And despite Vince's wishes that he created Hulk Hogan and the characters of the 80's, this too could be nothing further from the truth. You see, Vince Jr. really did not have a the total grasp of the industry like he does today, and had very few of the connections. It was Hogan who helped Vince lure away the great talent from the AWA, WCCW, GCW, JCP, and others. That list included the likes of Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, Paul Orndorff, Randy Savage, Brutus Beefcake, Jake Roberts, King Kong Bundy, Junk Yard Dog, Greg Valentine, "Mean" Gene Okerland, Bobby Heenan, and Jesse Ventura. It was only with Hogan's help, experience, connections, and wisdom was Vince able to assemble this never before seen roster. Don't let Vince fool you, these men created their own paths long before the WWWF dropped a W. Vince may have some talent at creating stars today, but he was never above stealing them from someone else. Although he may have chastised WCW for the same tactics later in life, it was an incredibly smart business move at the time.
And with the roster assembled, Hogan and McMahon again looked for ways to branch out. Hogan, already the multi-media star (movies, music, and wrestling) was able to help bridge the gap to MTV an the rising stars of the day, most notable Cindi Lauper. Their connection help blossom the Rock ‘n' Wrestling Connection. Hogan's friendship with Mr. T also led to the two working together both in the ring, and at Saturday Night Live before the inaugural Wrestlemania.
All of that paid off when Wrestlemania came around. Though not the first supershow, it was a risk to be shown in arenas around the country on closed circuit TV. Although not very successful by today's standards, it was enough to get the WWF in the black and for Hogan to really boom.
And boom he did: first, onto his own Saturday morning cartoon show. Then on the cover of Sports Illustrated (the first and last wrestler to be in that spot). And then into every type of merchandise you could imagine, from t-shirts to plush dolls to light switches.
Although the Rock or Austin may the highest dollar generating superstars of all time, it has to be put into context. Hogan had one shirt for ten years while the former two had new shirts every six months. Hogan's shirts cost $10 while those guys got to sell for $25. Most of the extra merchandise they had did not exist in Hogan's era. When you add it all up, adjust for inflation and rising prices, and put it per capita and availability, Hogan is by far the best selling champion in history. No contest!
Once Hogan established himself in finality at Wrestlemania III, even the early smarks and naysayer boys had to admit that he was the top of everything. Andre only let people he felt worthy beat him, and he let Hogan beat him in the largest show in American history.
As the years went on, all Wrestlemanias were really built around Hogan. A Wrestlemania was created by turning one of Hogan's friends against him. Also of note is that guys like King Kong Bundy, Roddy Piper, and Ted DiBiase still came to be considered some of the greatest despite never defeating Hogan for the title, that's how powerful a reign he had. The few who did beat Hogan like Savage, Warrior, and Sid were legitimized beyond anything with their reigns.
Also of note is that people hungered for more. They wanted to see Hogan and these guys fight on bigger stages. It was because of this that events like Survivor Series even came into existence. Vince wanted to get Hogan and Andre in the ring together, but not give away another one-on-one match until it was time. And that PPV drew 21,300 people to the arena and a 7.0 buyrate at home. An excellent move.
As the 80's became the 90's, Hogan was also getting more involved in movies and less involved in defending his title. He was not just starring in them, but also producing them, meaning his work was not over when the film wrapped. And sure, they were not huge box office smashes, but no one expected them to be. They were just lighthearted family movies meant to do a little entertaining on a low budget. That is exactly what they did, as they went on to earn plenty of profit to continue to line Hogan's pockets even today.
In 1993, Hogan and the WWF parted ways. Many felt that this was over the Steroid trial or that Hogan planning to jump to WCW. Both of these were proven false as Hogan was just tired of fifteen years on the road and wanted to work on his TV show Thunder in Paradise. It was on the set that Bischoff and Hogan met by happenstance, and that eventually led to Hogan coming to WCW and helping to pull that company out of deep financial trouble. It was with his presence that Time Warner was willing to launch Nitro (a la Sting and iMPACT moving to Thursdays).
Unfortunately, Hogan could only help for so long as his act was not working in WCW nor in the growing modern era. He took some time away, and Vince even offered him a deal to go back to the WWF. But as it happened, at the same time Bret Hart was supposed to become the third man of the nWo, but pulled out at the last minute to sign a new contract with Vince.
When Hogan got word of this, he wondered what his role would be in the new WWF. Bischoff came to visit him just to talk things over, and mentioned how he was in pickle with the 3rd man since Bret was no longer an option. It was then that the two came up with the idea that Hogan could be the third man in the nWo, and a new contract and era was born.
That wasn't as funny as you led me to believe. Well, with Hogan revealed as the third man, wrestling would change forever… again!
This is the New World Order of wresting, brother!
At Bash at the Beach 1996, Hogan literally shocked the world. The "Outsiders" Hall and Nash were taking on a WCW dream team of Sting, Randy Savage, and Lex Luger. Rumors were running rampant. Who would the third man be? No one, and I mean NO ONE saw it coming.
Out of the back came a returning Hulk Hogan. The fans thought he was there to help out the WCW team after Luger was injured. But then, Hogan did the unthinkable! For the first time in fifteen years… Hogan turned heel! Hogan leg dropped Randy Savage, and the fans reacted bitterly. Mean Gene Okerlund on the Monday Night Wars DVD described it as one of the most incredible, emotional sights he had ever seen. The fans were so angry at Hogan and the nWo that they started to pelt the ring with garbage, a rarely seen event.
You see, even after all that time Hogan still had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He still knew how to control them and get them to react. They had such a strong emotional investment that they felt betrayed in a way that no other heel turn before or after has topped.
Even when Austin turned heel, it felt contrived. Hogan's, though, became natural. He really did want the fans to stick it. He was upset that they had given up on Hulkamania. He was furious that they were turning on him.
So Hogan turned on the crowd first, and they loved to hate him for it.
Hogan and the nWo would turn the wrestling world on its head. From Wikipedia:
Hogan's turn to heel, after being one of the most popular and iconic figures in sports entertainment and sports in general, caused a great stir through the wrestling community. The next night on Nitro, Eric Bischoff announced that all night Sunday and all day Monday, WCW and Hogan received literally hundreds, if not thousands, of complaints from parents whose children had stayed up all night crying and destroying Hulkster merchandise. Though intended as kayfabe, the statement was no doubt truthful. Hogan's move from face to heel signified a change in wrestling's character system, which in coming years would intentionally blur the lines between good and evil.
And the heel turn and the further pushing of the envelope with the nWo created a new boom in wrestling, one that had yet to be surpassed.
As the weeks went on, Nitro's ratings continued to rise. On August 26, 1996, just seven weeks after the heel turn and the formation of the nWo, Nitro broke the 4.0 ratings barrier that no one thought was possible (a 4.2 to be exact and put the icing on the cake). That same night, RAW scored a 2.0 rating, the lowest head-to-head rating it had received since September 25, 1995. EXACTLY a year later, on August 25, 1997, Nitro would be the first of the Monday night shows to break the 5.0 ratings barrier, although this was mostly due to there being no competition that night. But when RAW was unopposed just five weeks prior, they scored a 4.1 rating. The point was made. Hogan and WCW could convert people over while the WWF had yet to figure out a way to bring them back.
Now, I could keep going into all of Nitro's monumental ratings victories, even the 83 week winning streak, but that is for another day.
You may also remember from our Eric Bischoff case that it was under Hogan's reign as champion that WCW not only surpassed the WWF in monthly buyrates, but also in the twelve month buyrate average. From March 1997 to September 1998, Hogan and the WCW/nWo literally topped the WWF in every category even looking over a year span.
But winning the money and the ratings was not the only thing Hogan did. He helped create the whole "spitting on tradition" counter-culture. He spray-painted the belt, he attacked people in group muggings that were not common, he told the world just how good he was and that they could stick it.
Hogan's presence drew into WCW some the most unconventional names. From Dennis Rodman to Jay Leno to Karl Malone, these men became a part of WCW history because of Hulk Hogan. Say what you will about what these people may have done or whose spot they may have stole, they gave WCW and Hogan incredible mainstream attention that translated into ratings, merchandise sales, and buyrates. It made everyone's life better overall.
WCW was hurting before Hogan, and still shaky before the nWo. But under his guidance WCW became the predominant brand of wrestling in the world. Bischoff has thanked Hogan many times for helping to bring WCW to its only profitable time in history, and Hogan has thanked Bischoff for giving him the opportunity.
Not only, though, were there new events, but everything that was old was new again. Suddenly, Hogan was the heel and people were cheering Ric Flair, Roddy Pipper, the Giant, Kevin Sullivan, and may more traditional heels. It was something completely different, to be on the other end of the screaming. To want Hogan to submit, to hope that someone kicked out of the leg drop. It brought new life to his career.
More than that, it brought new life to wrestling. Hogan had once again literally redefined the entire industry. He had helped create the national promotion and the superstar, now he had created the anti-hero and the attitude. He had created storylines with depth and shades of grey. He had created yet another era of professional wrestling.
How many times must I explain how WCW died?
Yet despite all of this, despite bring WCW to its only profitable time in history, and despite being the most influential person in a whole new era that paved the way for likes of Steve Austin, DX, and the Rock, Hogan has actually been blamed for the DEATH of WCW.
How is that possible?
People started to complain that Hogan's act was getting old. He came out and talked until the ratings sank. Except that is not what happened at all. Let me remind you what Derek Burgan said about the promo between Warrior and Hogan:
Gene Okerlund said that "ratings sunk like a rock" during Warrior's promo, which most certainly can not be true. After a little research, I found out Warrior's segment on Nitro did a 6.4 to Raw's 3.1. Now that I think about it, Okerlund might have been even harsher on this DVD to Warrior than Heenan. The difference being that Okerlund often comes across as totally clueless when he opens his mouth.
And this is true for many segments. Hogan was a personality who drew in more viewers, not turned them away. He remained one of the highest draws in WCW until he left the organization in disgrace.
I've already proven that the Fingerpoke of Doom (which many lament against Hogan) is Not Guilty, and that it did not cause the death of WCW.
Although many people attributed this to Hogan's booking power. Over time, Hogan's contract became structured so that he had creative control over his character. This made people felt that Hogan would refuse to job the belt to anyone, or that he would book himself at the top of the program no matter who was champ.
First off, who cares if Hogan got booking power in this contract? He had twenty years of experience and knew what it took to have the crowd in control. Who is anyone to tell Hogan what programs he should be in and how to wrestle? Hogan literally re-created the industry twice. He knew what he was doing.
And Hogan was fine with any program, and losing, so long as there was a plan for him. During the New Blood time under Vince Russo, Hogan worked a program with Billy Kidman and lost to him twice. He was fine with that so long as he knew where his program was going.
Coming into Bash at the Beach 2000, Hogan was to defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Jeff Jarrett. Hogan came to the PPV prepared to drop the title, but under one condition: he wanted to know what the plan was for him afterwards. He was fine with dropping the title to Jarrett and understood that WCW was going in a new direction. Hogan understood that a new generation of wrestlers had to be created.
But when he went to Russo the day of the PPV and asked him what the plan for Hulk Hogan was after the PPV, Russo said, "Nothing."
Russo had absolutely no plans to use Hogan after the event! How can a booker have absolutely no plans for Hulk Hogan? The least he could have done was continue to use him in the New Blood storyline, putting over anyone from Scott Steiner to Booker T. But he had to plans for Hogan. He was essentially saying he was going to bury Hogan in favor of everyone else.
This was the final straw for Hogan. For the first time EVER he used his creative control clause to change the ending of the match. Russo was furious at Hogan, but Hogan was trying to protect his job. It wasn't him fighting the new wave of wrestlers of a change in direction; it was him fighting for his legacy.
With this decision, Russo told Jarrett to go out and just lay down, giving Hogan the "Hulk Hogan Memorial Belt" and then stripping Hogan of the World Title and putting it up in a match between Booker T and Jeff Jarrett later in the night. But that would not be before Hogan was verbally taken apart by Russo in the middle of the ring, breaking kayfabe in a way no one ever had before. Hogan left WCW and sued the company and Russo for defamation of character. Hogan's time in WCW was over in July 2000.
WCW would continue to spiral out of control for months while the bosses began to rotate. Things seemed like they were settling down in January 2001, and it looked as if Eric Bischoff and Fusient Media Ventures were going to acquire WCW. But in March 2001, AOL Time-Warner cancelled the highest rated show on their combined networks, thus ending any possible deal with Fusient. In some shady back door shenanigans, the WWF ended up being the highest bidder for WCW's library and copyrights, and that is what killed WCW.
Bottom line: WCW was killed when AOL Time-Warner cancelled programming. Hogan had been gone from the company for nearly a year, and had led it to its only profitable period in history. Neither Hogan nor his creative control led to the death of WCW. The complete opposite is the truth of the matter.
And then there was quiet
From Wikipedia:
From July 2000 to November 2001, Hogan was extremely quiet and out of the public eye. He had been dealing with self-doubt and depression following the Vince Russo incident, wondering if what Russo had said about him was true. Hogan was also dealing with the death of his father Peter Bollea in December 2001, which he took very hard. Fans at the time had largely agreed with Russo's sentiments, feeling that Hogan was "washed-up" and had been holding down younger talents for too long. Hogan wanted to prove his detractors wrong and show them that he still had another run or two left in him.
In the months following the eventual demise of WCW in March 2001, Hogan underwent surgery on his knees in order for him to wrestle again. As a test, Hogan worked a match in Orlando, Florida for the XWF promotion run by his longtime handler Jimmy Hart. Hogan defeated Curt Hennig in this match and felt healthy enough to accept an offer to return to the WWF in February 2002.
As the story above noted, Hogan overcame his depression and his worry. He trained and rebuilt his body. He did what no one thought would ever be possible: he came back to the WWF.
The poison is introduced
Vince McMahon brought Hogan—along with Hall and Nash—back as the nWo in his storyline feud with co-owner Ric Flair. This time, the nWo was not fresh, and were not rebels. Vince never understood that the nWo was not a faction, that it was a different organization that was invading WCW. Also, Nash and Hall were having health and mental problems respectively and were not in the best condition of their life.
Something strange happened, though. Despite everything Hogan had done to the Rock leading up their Wrestlemania match, the fans still cheered him. He may have tried to blow up the Rock's car, but it made no difference. He had passed to that status that was beyond anything, where he was just completely revered.
This new found face status led to Hogan defeating Triple H for the WWF Undisputed Heavyweight Championship, which became the WWE Undisputed Championship under his reign, another first for Hogan.
After become a part of the SmackDown! roster, Hogan began to get involved in a program with young one-legged wrestler Zack Gowen that eventually led to him becoming Mr. America. The whole story ended abruptly when Hogan and Vince could not come to an agreement over money.
With Hogan gone from the WWE, he went to Japan to face Masa "My Hero" Chono before being attacked by Jarrett in what would become an aborted angle that was originally supposed to lead to the first ever Bound for Glory. But do not blame Hogan for this not coming to fruition. He never signed anything that said he would go to TNA. Besides, a very different offer came along.
Hogan was invited to join the WWE Hall of Fame, an event that he was truly humbled by as shown on Hogan Knows Best. Hogan continues to make sporadic appearances today, including a short program with Shawn Michaels. But Hogan knows how valuable his time and presence are. How do I know that? Glad you asked.
But can he still draw?
Very few people doubt that Hogan was a major draw in the 1980's, there are doubts about how he drew in the 1990's (and I hope we've assuaged them above), but there are big lingering doubts if Hogan is a draw today. The most backwards comment is that he is good for short term draws, but does not draw for long. Is that so? From the 411mania newsboard on March 29, 2006:
The March 26th 12:30pm airing of Hogan Knows Best scored a 1.3 cable rating, with 3.1 share. The 9:30pm airing scored a 0.9 cable rating, with a 1.3 share while the 11pm airing scored a 0.9 cable rating as well, but had a 1.8 share.
So already two weeks into its second season, Hogan is pretty much the top rated show on VH1. This is the way I see it:
Hulk Hogan, by himself, has more drawing ability than the entire TNA roster. Sorry, but it's true! Anyone who reads TNA knows how much I heart their product and want them to succeed, but the story of it all is that Hogan in his lonesome can outdraw the entire roster.
At this point in his life, Hogan cannot do a full schedule, not could he even do just a TV schedule. His body and family will not let him, so he must sit back. But if he were around, those are the number he would draw in.
For through the years, Hogan truly has become immortal. His mere presence means more than some of the best laid storylines. One punch from him gets the crowd to cheer louder than any crazy spot off the X-ropes. Hogan himself said, "Why do just three elbow drops and put all that wear and tear on your body when you can do one and then look at the audience and get them to care."
Do you know when he said that?
On Hogan Knows Best, last week.
Shoot ‘em if you got ‘em!
Still, people say Hogan would have been nothing without a little help. And that help came in the form of steroids. Let's get it straight out there, Hogan has done steroids. He used steroids for twelve years. From Hulk Hogan's testimony to the government in the steroid trial (courtesy of Hollywood Built):
Defense: Any orders placed to Zahorian by you were for your personal use?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Would you distribute steroids?
Terry B: No.
Defense: Which you [believed] steroids were legal?
Terry B: Yes because I had a prescription.
Defense: Do you remember Dr. War from Canada, Dr. Pannovich from Denver, Dr. Liebowitz from NY?
Terry B: Yes, except for Dr. Pannovich.
Defense: Had other doctors dispensed steroids to you between 85 and 89?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: War?
Terry B: Yes
Defense: Liebowitz?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Pannovich?
Terry B: Don't remember.
Defense reads Terry B's Grand Jury statements which said that all four doctors including Zahorian wrote him prescriptions.
Defense: Did you get deca from Ponnavich?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Did you try and use steroids legally?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Did you get a doctor to see you beforehand?
Terry B: Not so much that, just made sure that I had a prescription.
Defense: Did you get steroids in gyms in the 70s?
Terry B: Yes, 70s and 80s.
Defense: Once you started wrestling for large organizations like the AWA and Japan you starting seeing doctors for steroids?
Terry B: Yes. Defense: It was better to get from a doctor because of the quality?
Terry B: Yes a concern in the gyms would be that they might be fake.
Defense: Today in 1994 you have more knowledge of steroids than in the 80s?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: If you had this info back then would you not have used them?
Terry B: That might have been the case.
And:
Defense: Vince McMahon never directed you to take steroids?
Terry B: Never.
Defense: It was your choice and decision?
Terry B: Definitely.
Defense: Other wrestlers take steroids?
Terry B: To my knowledge, yes.
Defense: Ever hear Vince McMahon tell a wrestler he should take steroids?
Terry B: No.
Defense: Do you recall any conversations with Vince McMahon where he implied a wreslter should take steroids?
Terry B: Never.
You see, Hogan did not view his steroid use as anything illegal or wrong. Elsewhere in the interview:
Government: Did you carry steroids on the road?
Terry B: Yes
Government: Why did you use steroids?
Terry B: To heal injuries, to keep on going, the schedule was tough. It gave an edge. For bodybuilding. When I first started it was to get big and gain weight.
And a little later:
Defense: Did you believe steroids helped you to heal from injuries that you sustained?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Did you feel steroids speeded the recovery from injury?
Terry B: Yes.
You see, we forget that there are legitimate uses to steroids, and Hogan knew what those were. He was already big, he did not need the roids to get there. He was using them to heal from injuries. And as covered in the Lex Luger case, the side effects were much less known. Back to the trial:
Defense: Ever heard of a roid rage?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: In your 12 or 13 years of use did you ever experience a roid rage?
Terry B: No.
Defense: Ever see Vince McMahon have a personality change known as roid rage?
Terry B: No.
Defense: Is it fair to say wrestlers are aggressive?
Terry B: When performing.
Defense: Being on the road, when the wrestlers were offstage were they boisterous?
Terry B: Not all.
Defense: Did some party?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Did they get into trouble?
Terry B: Sometimes.
Defense: Did you ever the make the connection of steroids usage and the wrestlers being boisterous at a hotel or bar?
Terry B: Never.
Hogan never experienced some of the worst side effects of steroids. He also knew how to cycle the different drugs to stay healthy. He used them as they were originally intended—as a supplement, not the only way. Still, there were accusations that Hogan was illegally distributing. Back to the trial:
Defense: Did you charge Dave Brower money?
Terry B: No. He gave me 10 vials, so I gave him ten vials. We were friends. It is similiar to how smokers share cigarettes.
Defense: Between 85-91, you gave wrestlers steroids and the reverse was true. In your mind were you distributing steroids?
Terry B: No, these were my friends.
Defense: When they gave them to you, were they in your mind distributing steroids?
Terry B: No. they were my friends.
Defense: Did you believe as a lay person, that between 85 and 91, as long as a doctor prescribed them, they were legal?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Did you believe Zahorian was committing a crime?
Terry B: No.
Defense: You did not have knowledge that it was criminal?
Terry B: No, I did not.
And it's not like Hogan was just seeing these doctors to get steroids:
Defense: Did you talk to Zahorian about your physical condition?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Did you about problems apart from steroid usage?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Did you have personal and medical conversations with Zahorian?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Did you expect them to be confidential?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Did some concern your wife?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: You used Zahorian for reasons unassociated with steroids?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Were you satisfied with the advise of Zahorian?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: He helped you?
Terry B: Yes.
So we can see from all of this that Hogan was not an abuser, he was just a supplementary person. He did what was normal, but only later came to understand the dangers he was putting his body through. When his wife became pregnant, they agreed that he would cycle off of all of the drugs, which he did and never turned back. It's been nearly fifteen years since then. The man learned his lesson and moved on.
"But JP," you'll say, "didn't he lie about steroid use or the Arsenio Hall Show?"
The answer is: no, not really.
First, let us remember that the appearance on Arsenio Hall was in 1991, three years before the trial. On there, he admitted to having used steroids "on a few occasions" but did not admit to any more. He explained about the healing factors and legitimate reasons for using steroids. Vince did not want to talk about it all, not even the legitimate reasons. That was the basis of their argument. And on top of that, that was just a show, not the grand jury.
No, Hogan didn't need the steroids, as we've said. He used them to help his life on the road, not realizing the full implications of what he was doing. But when he did he made the changes to his health in order to continue going without them. After all, he did not really need them. This wraps it all up nicely:
Defense: You do not take steroids anymore?
Terry B: No.
Defense: Do you still refer to your arms as pythons when in character?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: As 22 inches?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Are they still 22 inches?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: Is one of your lines for the Ric Flair PPV (said in a Hulk Hogan voice) whats you gonna do Ric Flair when these pythons come after you?
Terry B: Yes.
Defense: And that's without steroids?
Terry B: Yes.
And what is funnier than hear the defense do a Hulk Hogan voice?
RECESS!
See, I told you this was content city! And there is one more part to go! What's left? Too much to go into, but if I haven't hit it yet, please tell me why you hate Hogan and I'll be sure to cover it next issue!
So tune in next week for our atomic leg drop conclusion of In Defense of… Hulk Hogan (Part 4 of 4)!!
Be sure to check out Hidden Highlights in the meantime! Don't forget to send JT and I your Hidden Highlights for RAW, SmackDown!, Heat, Velocity, iMPACT, or any other show you saw this week (that includes house shows and indy events, you know)!
Until then, the defense rests!
Know a particular person, event, organization, storyline, etc… in wrestling history that needs a defense? E-mail the One and Only JP at lookforme@mikefine.com, and I'll be glad to hear your case.
