Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe clearest contradiction behind Hulk Hogan’s most famous wrestling story is that he was not the first wrestler to slam Andre the Giant—and WrestleMania III was not the first time Hogan did it. Other claims often labeled “lies” need more care: the public record documents Hogan discussing the sex tape, but does not establish that he knew he was being filmed. Here is what the available record supports, and where it stops short of proving intent.
What counts as a verified lie?
A statement can be demonstrably false without proving its speaker knowingly invented it. That distinction matters in Hogan’s case: a reliable record can contradict a wrestling legend, while claims about what he knew or intended require separate evidence. The examples below distinguish documented contradictions from disputed explanations and unproven inferences.
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Andre the Giant: Hogan was not the first to slam him
WWE’s retrospective on Andre the Giant legends says the claim that Hogan was the only competitor to bodyslam Andre is false. It names Stan Hansen, Kamala, and Harley Race as wrestlers who had slammed Andre before the famous WrestleMania III moment. WWE also says Hogan had dumped Andre in matches at Shea Stadium and the Philadelphia Spectrum in 1980. That makes the narrow correction clear: Hogan was not the first person ever to slam Andre, and his WrestleMania III slam was not his first. WWE’s account of Andre the Giant legends is an official wrestling retrospective, not independent academic or court research.
What WWE says about WrestleMania III
WWE describes the WrestleMania III slam as taking place before “more than 93,000” fans and calls Andre a “500-pound” wrestler. Those are WWE’s descriptions; they should not be mistaken for independently audited attendance or weight figures.
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What this does—and does not—prove
The record contradicts the claim that Hogan was the first wrestler ever to slam Andre. It does not establish that every later retelling was knowingly fabricated, or verify popular add-on details about the story. Without a direct recording or stronger reporting, those embellishments should not be repeated as fact.
The Gawker case: public discussion is not proof of recording awareness
In a March 23, 2016 interview with ABC News, after the jury verdict, Hogan acknowledged that he had discussed the sex tape publicly, including on The Howard Stern Show. Asked about the apparent tension with his claim of humiliation, he said sex was a frequent topic on “shock jock shows like that.” He also told ABC’s Linzie Janis, “I don’t know how to tell you, I took it real personal.” ABC News’ interview documents the public discussion and Hogan’s response; it does not show that he knew the encounter was being recorded.
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The distinction is important: discussing a tape after the fact and knowing a camera is recording an encounter are different propositions. The Associated Press reported in 2025 that Hogan testified he was unaware he was being filmed. The sources cited here establish his public discussion and report that testimony, but do not independently settle what he knew at the time.
Verdict and settlement are different figures
ABC reported the 2016 jury award as $115 million in compensatory damages plus $25.1 million in punitive damages, totaling $140.1 million at that time. The Associated Press later described the jury award as $140 million and reported a subsequent $31 million settlement. These are separate outcomes, not competing descriptions of one payment. AP also reported that the jury rejected Gawker’s First Amendment and newsworthiness argument. The Associated Press’ 2025 retrospective discusses the case’s later significance.
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A July 13, 2015 filing by Bollea’s attorneys offers procedural context, but it is an argument by one side in the case, not a neutral court finding. It should not be treated as proof of contested facts about Hogan’s knowledge or the recording. The filing is useful for understanding the plaintiff’s position and handling of records, not for resolving those disputed questions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Hogan’s explanation for racist language remains disputed
ABC News Australia reported that Hogan blamed growing up in Florida for his use of racial slurs in a Good Morning America interview. The same account says former neighbors later disputed that explanation. It also recounts the 2015 publication of a racist rant and WWE’s subsequent action. ABC News Australia’s timeline reports both the explanation and the neighbors’ disagreement; the account does not resolve whether his explanation was true.
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How to judge the claims
- Start with the kind of evidence. A contemporaneous recording or record can establish what was said; a later account may establish what someone recalled or testified to, not necessarily what happened.
- Separate contradiction from intent. Evidence that disproves a claim does not, by itself, prove its speaker knowingly lied.
- Distinguish parties from findings. A litigant’s filing presents that party’s position; a reported jury verdict or settlement describes a different stage of a case.
- Keep legal outcomes distinct. The Gawker jury award and the later settlement were not the same figure or event.
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