10 Fascinating WWE Backstage Facts About Hulk Hogan
3. Hulk Hogan Influenced Bret Hart
Hulk Hogan was an innovator.
Impossible in his musculature, a man who mastered the marketable cartoon aesthetic, a total power wrestler who didn't do need to do much but slam his foes around, Hogan inspired many - the Ultimate Warrior, Hercules, that plagiarist Superstar Billy Graham, among others - but you might be surprised to learn that Hogan also held a profound influence over Bret 'Hitman' Hart.
Now, it may seem as if few similarities exist between the two men.
Hogan bellowed, where Bret's delivery was calmer, more understated. Hogan was an American hero, where in 1997 Bret, Canadian, grew to loathe the country in which he made his fortune. Hogan apparently relied on his power game, where Bret apparently relied on his immaculate technique. But Hogan showcased his scientific flair in Japan where Bret laid an egg against Mitsuharu Misawa in the Dome, brother!
Hogan dragged out the genius technician lurking within Hart eventually.
As he recounted on Bubba the Love Sponge's radio show last year, Hogan once said in a backstage promo - with Bret in ear-shot - that he was the "greatest there is, was, and ever will be, brother!"
Bret callously stole that very real catchphrase, but on the plus side, was inspired to match Hogan's technical prowess in the years since.