Author: In the spring of 1985, as the WWF was making media rounds for the debut of WrestleMania, an unexpected choking incident between Hulk Hogan and TV host, actor, and stand-up comedian Richard Belzer took a dramatic turn on live television. This event would have legal consequences with significant repercussions for one individual in particular.
The Lead-Up to the Hulk Hogan and Richard Belzer Choke Out on Live TV
The inaugural WrestleMania was set to feature a main event pitting the villainous Rowdy Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff against the heroic team of Hulk Hogan and Mr. T.
The World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) decided to include Mr. T, not based on his wrestling prowess or experience in the territories. Rather, both he and Hogan were capitalizing on their popularity from their roles in the movie Rocky III, making them two of the most recognizable celebrities at the time.
Mr. T’s Strange Request on Show Day
As part of their promotional tour, the two muscular stars made appearances on various talk shows across the country. However, their segment on Richard Belzer’s show “Hot Properties” would become infamous for unexpected reasons.
According to Richard Belzer in a 1990 interview, “The day of the show, like three or four hours before the show, someone who works for Mr. T calls my office and says, ‘Mr. Belzer, Mr. T will not do the show unless there are 50 children in the audience, and some of them crippled.'”
Belzer, understandably perplexed, responded, “Wait a minute, you want me to get some kids and cripple some of them and get them to the show? What do you mean?”
With only three hours before the live broadcast, Belzer’s staff worked quickly to fulfill T’s unusual request, bringing in children from a nearby school.
Calm Before the Storm: Unfolding TV Interview Between Hulk Hogan and Richard Belzer
Mr. T arrived in a less-than-ideal mood, continuously using a flexible workout bar throughout the interview. Hulk Hogan, in contrast, appeared friendly and professional.
The interview began smoothly, with Belzer directing most of his questions at Hogan. Maintaining his in-ring persona, Hogan explained his transition from heel to face, attributing it to his reliance on “prayers, vitamins, and his Hulkamaniacs.”
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Add Us on GoogleHulk Hogan’s Reluctant Demonstration
As the conversation progressed, Richard Belzer, intrigued by the authenticity of wrestling moves, asked Hogan to demonstrate a hold on him. Despite initial hesitation from both Hogan and Mr. T, Belzer’s persistence and the audience’s encouragement eventually persuaded Hogan to comply.
Hogan cautioned Belzer about the hard studio floor and the potential for injury before applying a front chin lock.
Within moments, Belzer lost consciousness.
According to Belzer’s later account, he had signaled to Hogan that he was suffocating, but the wrestler, engaged in conversation with Mr. T, failed to notice.
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Richard Belzer’s Collapse and Audience Scare
As Richard Belzer collapsed from Hulk Hogan’s choking maneuver, his head audibly struck the floor. The studio audience fell silent as Belzer lay motionless.
Hogan, visibly concerned, attempted to revive Belzer by lightly slapping his face.
While Belzer was unconscious, Mr. T repeatedly stated, “He’s just sleeping,” seemingly trying to keep the audience calm.
Hogan remained silent, possibly realizing the severity of the situation.
After a few seconds of lying motionless, Belzer began to regain consciousness.
In a combination of shock and showmanship, Richard Belzer leaped to his feet, found his mark on the nearest camera, and announced, “And now we’ll be back after these messages from you know who!”
He then turned, revealing a crimson red stream unknowingly leaking from the back of his head.
The Tense Aftermath: Hogan’s Concern and Mr. T’s Odd Reaction
Richard Belzer didn’t return after the commercial break. He was taken to a local medical facility, receiving nine stitches to close his wound.
Hulk Hogan apologized for the incident, maintaining kayfabe but emphasizing that he was accustomed to working with trained professionals and warning viewers not to try such moves at home. The Hulkster appeared genuinely remorseful.
Mr. T, however, used the opportunity to promote Hogan as the “champion of the world,” inadvertently coming across as insensitive given the circumstances.
The Lawsuit That Followed: Hogan vs. Belzer
In the aftermath, Richard Belzer filed a $5 million lawsuit against Hulk Hogan, Mr. T, Vince McMahon, and the WWF for personal injury.
The case was initially set to be heard in the New York State Supreme Court but never went to trial.
Hogan and Belzer reached an out-of-court settlement in 1990, reportedly for $400,000.
Richard Belzer’s "Chez Hogan": A Settlement Legacy
In a humorous twist, Richard Belzer used the settlement money to purchase a farmhouse in Bozouls, Aveyron, France, which he aptly named “Chez Hogan.”
This property became a symbol of the incident and its resolution, and Belzer often referred to it in interviews and discussions about the event.
The Incident Explored in Recent Media
The 2024 Netflix documentary series “Mr. McMahon” revealed new details about the incident. Linda McMahon offered insight into Hogan’s perspective, stating, “Hulk thought it was a stunt… in reality, he was injured.”
This comment highlights the misunderstanding between Hogan and Belzer during the incident, suggesting that Hogan may not have initially realized the severity of what had occurred.
Hulk Hogan’s Reflection on the Incident Years Later
In a 2014 interview with Yahoo Sports, Hulk Hogan reportedly addressed what happened, saying, “I didn’t know [Richard Belzer] was going to pass out. I thought he was going to pretend to pass out.”
He continued, “When I let him go, he just fell straight back and I thought, ‘Oh my God, I just killed this guy.’ It was a very scary moment.”
Hogan would later add that this was a very vulnerable period in his life.
Bruce Prichard on Changes That Took Place After the Incident
Bruce Prichard, a longtime WWE executive and host of the “Something to Wrestle” podcast, offered valuable insight into the aftermath of the Hogan-Belzer incident.
On his podcast, Prichard reflected on the event’s significant impact on the wrestling industry.
“It was a different time,” Prichard explained. “Hulk was trying to protect the business, but it went too far. It was a wake-up call that we needed to be more careful in how we interacted with the media.”
Prichard’s comments highlight the shift in approach that the incident prompted within the wrestling world, leading to more cautious and controlled interactions between wrestlers and the media in subsequent years.
Booker T’s Thoughts: Could Hogan Have Done It Differently?
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T also recently commented on the incident.
“I think Hulk did the right thing,” Booker said on his “Hall of Fame” podcast, before rhetorically wondering if he did so to a little bit of an excessive extent.
“I think you could put a guy in an Armbar and get your point across, I really do,” he added, before noting that there were other ways to address the situation than putting him “to sleep.”
A Lasting Legacy: Remembering Richard Belzer
Richard Belzer passed away on February 19th, 2023, at the age of 78.
His longtime friend Bill Scheft confirmed the news to the Hollywood Reporter, adding that Belzer’s last words were, "**** you, mother******!"
The Hulk Hogan and Richard Belzer Incident’s Lasting Impact
The 1985 confrontation between Hulk Hogan and Richard Belzer stands as a defining moment in wrestling history. It revealed the dangers of blurring the line between kayfabe and reality, forcing the industry to rethink its approach to media interactions.
Though it sparked legal battles and negative headlines, the incident has since become embedded in wrestling folklore. It serves as a lasting reminder of the fine line between showmanship and responsibility, and the importance of maintaining that balance when the world of professional wrestling steps into the public eye.
Watch Hulk Hogan choking out Richard Belzer in full below:
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