10 Huge Bust-Ups Between Wrestlers And Bookers

4. Hulk Hogan Vs. Vince McMahon Sr.

Do The Job Austin McMahon
MGM/UA

Hulk Hogan was an emerging megastar before Vince McMahon, Jr. marketed him, to perfection, as a megastar.

He was on the precipice at the onset of the 1980s, during his first run with the WWF. His clash with André The Giant was the semi-main underneath the legendary Bruno Sammartino Vs. Larry Zbysko Shea Stadium blowoff. Hogan's incredible physique and magical charisma alerted Hollywood, and he was cast to play 'Thunderlips' in Rocky III.

This irritated Vince McMahon, Sr., who could not reconcile the idea of a pro wrestler appearing on film. Wrestling wasn't then the mainstream concern Vince, Jr. would reimagine it to be; it required, to Vince, Sr., a certain legitimacy.

"You're a wrestler, not an actor," he apparently told Hogan, though this is a quote from Hogan's autobiography. He must have said something to this effect, but it's Hogan's autobiography, and thus hard to take seriously. Vince threatened to fire Hogan, Hogan shrugged, and split his time between NJPW and the AWA after filming, in which his star shone so brightly that it illuminated the shifting landscape to Vince, Jr.

Who was in the right?

That certain legitimacy was an antiquated concept, and Hogan allowed Vince, Sr. ample time to cover the dates.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!