10 Ways Wrestlers' Bodies Changed Forever Because Of Wrestling

2. Hulk Hogan's Height

Kofi Kingston
WWE.com

For evidence of Hulk Hogan's height loss, compare this old interview with Vince McMahon to a more recent picture of the duo stood together. 'The Hulkster' clearly isn't the 6'8" man mountain he was in his prime.

Hogan has admitted as much himself. In a 2005 interview, Hulk claimed that while he used to be taller, "knee, neck, and back surgeries" had left him somewhere around 6'4". He's still a big, big dude, but several decades of hitting a finishing move that involves high-impact spinal compression left him a lot less larger-than-life than the superhero who helped drag McMahon's promotion towards mainstream success.

Hogan isn't the only wrestler to lose height as a result of a gruelling wrestling career, though. 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper suffered an even more noticeable decline, losing somewhere between 5-6 inches through his compacted spine and other surgeries, having been billed at 6'2" early in his career before coming in at approximately 5'9" at the time of his passing.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.