Hulk Hogan has discussed his spirituality and memories of former rivals in an interview.
Appearing in an interview for The 700 Club, the WWE Hall of Famer, who was recently baptised in public, addressed what his faith means to him and what it means to be Hulk Hogan. Wearing his own branded John 3:16 T-Shirt, the Immortal One described himself as ‘A meat suit filled with the spirit of Christ’ and first discussed his faith before turning his attention to wrestling.
When asked about why there was a demand for his brand, Hulk Hogan responded that it is a trust that has been passed down from generation to generation and that he has worldwide recognition:
“I think it’s generational trust. Because the parents and the grandparents all know who I am and the kids know who I am. But in [places like] Mozambique and Malaysia, they might not know Tom Brady but they know Hulk Hogan. It’s amazing how many homes I have been into around the world on a consistent basis for 40-plus years.”
Discussing how he separates himself from the man and the performer, Hulk Hogan stated that when he gets home he is just Terry and not the former WWE Champion:
“The moment I come home the headband comes off the bald head and it’s just Terry, dad, father, husband and friend. I have no wrestling pictures in my house, no belts, just Terry. The problem is the moment I leave the house, the moment I walk out the front door, the world doesn’t want Terry. [They say] ‘Hey Hulk.’ So instead of saying ‘Good morning sir’ I say ‘Hey brother, how are you doing!’ They expect it. There are a lot of tributaries that parlay off this Hulk Hogan character that I appreciate and value very much. It’s not just a job but I have learned to separate myself.”
Asked about the most memorable moment in his career, Hulk Hogan responded that it was a connection he had with his dad after he defeated The Iron Sheik in Madison Square Garden to become the new World Champion:
“It didn’t have anything to do with wrestling. After the match at Madison Square Garden, January 23rd 1984, I wrestled The Iron Sheik for the WWF title. Iran had 444 American hostages and they were keeping our Americans. The Iron Sheik, he was the actual bodyguard for the Shah of Iran. He was the real deal and the fans knew it and I was the All-American character Hulk Hogan. That night I flew my parents up.
My dad and I, we didn’t see eye to eye because I was going to the University of South Florida in Tampa and I was majoring in Finance and Management. When I left college and didn’t become an accountant or whatever that degree would lead me to, there was a huge divide in regard to communication between my dad and I. That night after Madison Square Garden my dad goes ‘Man. Terry I am very proud of you, you made the right decision, I’m so sorry that I tried to make you do something you didn’t want to do. So that was the greatest night for me.
I didn’t know if I was right or not, I was just doing what I loved doing. To me that felt right, but then for my dad to confirm it. I had to be in the main event of Madison Square Garden to get him to break. But that was the greatest part of my wrestling career, I really valued what he thought about me.”
Continuing, Hulk Hogan discussed his relationship with his greatest rival, Andre The Giant and how he struggled with everyday life:
“A lot of people don’t realise his fingers were like bananas, they were huge. I miss Andre’s honesty, he didn’t pull any punches with people. He had a very rough life. I walked with him through the airport and I heard people saying horrible comments and things. He is 7 foot 4 and 650 pounds. I travelled with him a lot, there was never a comfortable chair. He could never hold a knife and fork that he could work with. When he got a hotel I helped him push the beds together. I miss his guidance and his honesty. He hit you with the real deal.”
Ending his wrestling memories, Hulk Hogan opened up about his turbulent relationship with the late Roddy Piper. Getting emotional discussing Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan stated that Roddy Piper left a voice message after he passed away that he was with Jesus after previously stating he was not a spiritual person:
“In the wrestling business for 25 years we couldn’t stand each other, we were at each other’s throats. I know it is predetermined and all that but he did not like me and I did not like him. That’s just how it was. Once we got older and we had some conversations we started talking. He started asking about my spirituality, he didn’t connect but he was very curious. He wouldn’t surrender. All of a sudden he passes away.
There was an A & E special about Roddy Piper. When they go to credits, there is a message. It was not a text message, it was a voice message. But this text message came in two days after he died and the message goes ‘I’m just loving you, my brother. Just walkin’ with Jesus. Walkin’ with Jesus and loving you, my brother,’ I was like, ‘He would have never said that when he was here. It is amazing how things work.”
Hulk Hogan Takes Credit For Discovering Iconic Wrestler
Throughout his career, the WWE Hall of Famer has claimed that he has been responsible for playing a part in making many wrestlers the household names they have become today. In a separate interview, Hulk Hogan claimed that he discovered The Undertaker.
Thank you to Inside The Ropes for the transcription
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