Murtz Jaffer: You know for 15 years, I have been chasing an interview with Hulk Hogan. I can’t believe the day is finally here. Hulk, what is it like to be back in Toronto. The site of so many great memories for you.
Hulk Hogan: Well brother, the first thing that you need to know is the reason that you have been put on the backburner is that I have had people chasing me for 30 years trying to get an interview! These Johnny-Come-Latelys guys… just cause you got a Hulkamania shirt on brother, doesn’t mean you are wearing the red and yellow Hulkamania boxers. But anyway brother, coming back to Toronto is unbelievable. You, all my fans, everybody that comes to all these things in Toronto… they still treat me like I am the champ brother. So for me to be here in Toronto… I feel like they are cheering for me again to beat The Rock. I feel like they are cheering for me again when I fought the Ultimate Warrior. It’s like nothing has changed if you fast forward 20 years… the people here still treat me like I am the champ. It’s really cool to be here.
MJ: I was at both of those Wrestlemanias. Hulk, you’re back on TV now. I know that you are a big John Cena fan. Can you give me a lay of the land for the WWE right now? Who do you like? Who do you dislike? Who is the Hulkster backing?
HH: Well, you know at the end of the day, the crowds have gone into all these crazy chants like over in Europe. Like “Cena Sucks!” or “We The People!” or “You Still Got It!” For me, I will never say John Cena sucks because at the end of the day, whether you like him or don’t like him as a wrestler, that’s only part of the story. If you see behind-the-scenes, if you see what this guy is made of, I mean he is a good guy brother. He trains really hard and for many many years, I was the #1 requested celebrity for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Starlight, Dalmatian Foundation… a lot of these kids have special wishes. Whether it be that they have an incurable disease or they are hours away from passing away and John Cena never turns down a special kid that has needs. He never turns down a kid that is dying and is on their deathbed and the whole family is hanging on by a thread. So for me, I can’t say John Cena sucks because I know who the man is and he is much bigger than just wrestling. As far as the lay of the land in the WWE, John Cena is the horse, man. He has been carrying the company on his back. He is for real. I love him to death. Then you have got guys like Daniel Bryan who had a huge break and the people love him and then he just got injured. The thing I am having a real problem with is that there is so much talent in the WWE… everybody seems to be kind of held down by The Authority. Triple H and Stephanie have their priorities way way way up on the totem pole in comparison to what the fans want. So for me, I am laying back in the shadows. Waiting for my chance. Who knows better on how to go against The Authority than Hollywood Hulk Hogan?
MJ: Nobody…
HH: I have gone against Vince McMahon. I have fought wars. I got into Vince’s face at Wrestlemania 19. I have been in the ring with Triple H. I have dazzled Stephanie McMahon with footwork. I am just waiting for my chance to grab Cena, grab the troops and show these guys how they can move efficiently against The Authority.
MJ: I have to tell you that I have so many favourite Hulk Hogan memories and you have already touched on so many of them. At the end of the day, is Hulk Hogan a babyface or a heel? I like both. I am partial to the heel though. I really am.
HH: Well there’s a little bit of Hollywood running through my veins but you know the red and yellow has etched my legacy in stone. When I turn into Hollywood Hogan, the fans were so loyal they cheered me instead of booed me. It’s hard I mean I can switch gears in a heartbeat. If Triple H was to throw a sucker punch in my direction, I could pull a pair of brass knucks out and beat him to the punch. I can go either way. It depends on the climate, the attitude, and the situation.
Check out the video of the interview:
