One Moment WWE Wants You To Forget From Every Year (1985 to 2026)

42. 1985 - Hulk Hogan Chokes Out Richard Belzer

The build to the almighty gamble that was WrestleMania 1 was as much to do with exposure as promotion. Vince McMahon had mortgaged his lot on celebrity crossovers and the buzz generated by the "Rock 'N Wrestling Connection", aiming to entice the general public with a relatively straightforward philosophy - the larger-than-life top stars in the ring were on the same level as the megastar ones from music, film and television. Hulk Hogan and Mr T getting on Saturday Night Live as late replacements right before the 'Showcase Of The Immortals' was a gift from the heavens, but was evidence that the thinking was sound.

It also couldn't have gone much worse than 'The Hulkster's last schmooze session. 

During an appearance on the March 27th edition of Richard Belzer's Hot Properties talk show, Hulk Hogan was, in a gentle challenge of wrestling's legitimacy, asked to apply a hold to the host just four days out from his big match alongside T against Roddy Piper and Mr. Wonderful. He trapped Belzer in a front face lock, and upon release, Belzer collapsed as a shoot. He cracked his head hard on the studio floor, briefly losing consciousness before ensuring that the show and his body went on with a rapid but uncertain recovery. Blood could be seen trickling from his head, and naturally it was the talk of local media - McMahon's most valued entity at the time - in the immediate aftermath. 

Belzer eventually sued, and while the lawsuit was brought then settled long after the phenomenally successful 'Show Of Shows', it added unprecedented drama to an unprecedented build.