10 Times Pro Wrestling Got Way Too Real

5. Hulk Hogan Chokes Out Richard Belzer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7n_SHrK408 With Hulkamania in full swing and the initial WrestleMania right around the corner, Hulk Hogan and Mr. T took to the talk show circuit to promote the extravaganza. An appareance on the show Hot Properties on March 27th, 1985 just days before WrestleMania would prove a costly one for Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon. During the show host Richard Belzer goaded Hogan into showing him a couple of moves, all the while mocking Hogan and Mr. T. As cartoonish and unbelievable as the WWF was at the time, keyfabe was still enforced and Hogan didn't take to kindly to a weedy talk show host belittling his livelihood. After more goading, Hogan proceeded to put Belzer in a front facelock to prove wrestling's legitimacy. Of course a front facelock is a very real, very painful submission move when applied properly. It was too much for the slight Belzer, who passed out in the hold. When Hogan released him, he collapsed to the floor and cracked his head of the concrete, creating a noticeable wound. Mr. T insisted that he was just 'sleeping' as he lay unconscious on the floor. Hogan looked nervous as time stood still. Belzer made it to his feet and somehow managed to segue into a commercial break. Richard Belzer sued Hogan for $5m but settled out of court. Hogan deserved to pay for trying to intimidate and use force on somebody who couldn't fight back and who he outweighed by a good couple of hundred pounds. A similar incident had occurred before that when Dr. Death David Schultz slapped reported John Stossel after being asked if wrestling was fake or not. Schultz was fired over the incident (as well as for challenging Mr. T to a backstage fight). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbl92RqHVmk
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Student of film. Former professional wrestler. Supporter of Newcastle United. Don't cry for me, I'm already dead...