Hulk Hogan opens up to Ric Flair about WWE, Vince McMahon, Bret Hart and more

‘The Nature Boy’ and ‘The Hulkster’

– Hulk Hogan, who has recently been embroiled in a huge racism controversy appeared on the episode of Wooooo Nation with Ric Flair and producer Conrad Thompson.

This was the first appearance made by Hogan after the whole scandal which came out few months back. Hogan has been tactically side tracked and erased from WWE and even the Hall of Fame. He had a lot to talk about with Ric Flair as they go way back and share a cordial relationship after being in the business together for quite long. Below are the excerpts from the chat:

On their early days together

They talked about their early days starting from the ‘Georgia Championship Wrestling’ where they first met. Flair added that he was being told by Jim Barnett that Hulk Hogan was going to be a sensation all over the world.

They spoke about their lengthy and illustrious wrestling careers. They never expected that they would be wrestling even after crossing their 60s. Hogan admitted that he was devastated to not be linked with the business he has been in love for the last 35 years, but that he is somewhere happy that he is making money. Flair added that when it comes to business, money is what matters in the end.

On facing each other

Ric Flair said that he faced Hulk Hogan in 1980s while going head to head with their respective companies. Ric Flair added that he had huge respect for Vince McMahon’s guys even though he defended titles all around the world. He said that those guys used to work non-stop, sometimes for around 70 hours continuous and also performed in a lot of house shows.

Hulk Hogan was one name which was so over with everyone, not just in the USA but all around the world. He laughingly adds that all he had was the ‘wooooo’ and the chops. Hogan added that back in the day, for a brief period he was the only one running the show and did not have guys like The Rock or Steve Austin to share the responsibility.

Flair pointed out to a huge difference that, while he was doing shows in Kansas, Hogan was main eventing at the Madison Square Garden.

On never working a Wrestlemania together

Conrad, the producer of the show asked both the wrestlers that why did a Wrestlemania Main Event never take place between these two giants of the wrestling world. Hogan said that Vince McMahon scrapped the idea months before the Wrestlemania season and he, till this date does not know why.

If champions were paid higher

Hulk Hogan asks Ric Flair for the first time that during the latter’s stint with NWA, were the champions paid more. Flair said, the people holding the belts were paid 10% more than what the gate was.

Hogan added that in WWE the champion too got an extra pay of 1000$. He also talked about Roddy Piper who was on the heels to grab the championship, but says that he couldn't trust him even thought they became the best of friends in the last few years, because Piper refused to job to him.

His thoughts on Bret Hart

Hulk Hogan said that he doesn't know why Bret Hart is very critical of him. He added that he had heard the interview where ‘the Hitman’ said that “Hogan ruined his career and has tried to erase his name from history.”

He said that he would have loved to work with Bret Hart during the WCW days but couldn't because ‘the Hitman’ faced “some limitations”. Hogan thought that Bret suffered a stroke which was a result of a bike accident, but Flair added that it was a result of the injuries suffered against Bill Goldberg,

On working in TNA

Hogan was a huge part of TNA where he also handled the creative. Ric Flair also worked in the promotion during the same time.

Hogan said he is thankful towards Flair for a spot that involved Flair taking a clothesline and being sent down the ramp on a wheelchair. They agreed that it made the crowd pop. Hogan said that he is very thankful towards Dixie Carter but agrees that TNA was somewhat of a tough gig.

When asked about Vince McMahon and the recent events, Hogan said that in spite of whatever happened he would never say utter a bad word about Vince as he owes him a lot. He has no regrets about WWE’s treatment of the situation involving Hogan and is grateful to them for a great career.

You can view the full conversation by clicking on this link: