50 Fascinating Facts About WWE in The 1980s
39. Iron Sheik Claimed He Was Told To Break Hulk Hogan’s Leg
When he wasn't beating Hulk to the punch by becoming the first modern-day WWF World Champion, The Iron Sheik was showing respect for Vinnie Mac's soon-to-be marketing sensation. Sheik used to tell a story about being offered no less than $100,000 by AWA owner Verne Gagne to break Hogan's leg during their title bout in January 1984. It's worth saying the Gagne family refute this as false, but it’s become legend amongst fans.
Gagne was apparently fuming that Hulk had traded AWA main events for the significantly brighter lights of McMahon's glossy WWF revolution. There was serious backlash against Vince's crusade from other promoters in the industry, but only a handful of folks would've known for sure whether or not ol' Verne was serious about his cash for broken bones offer.
Also, it's unlikely that even a knackered leg would've stopped Hulkamania from shooting for the moon eventually anyway. McMahon's marketing might, combined with Hulk's charisma and exaggerated physique, meant change was coming to the biz whether Gagne (or anyone else for that matter) wanted it to or not. They were genuinely powerless to stop the WWF from becoming, "What The World [Was] Watching".
Regardless, Sheik spurned the chance to go into business for himself and do Hogan in. He stared at the lights as requested, and bagged a few more runs under Vince's banner because of his professionalism. Meanwhile, the AWA started circling the drain before vanishing for good in 1991. They'd been casually mowed down by McMahon's monopolisation of the North American market.