Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has a long history of exaggeration and outright fabrication, but one of his most audacious lies involved his use of PEDs.
In 1991, amid a growing ster*id scandal in professional wrestling, Hogan appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show in an attempt to clear his name. During the awkward interview, Hogan claimed he had only used ster*ids on “three different occasions” as part of a “sports therapy program” to recover from muscle injuries.
This assertion was quickly called out as false by fellow wrestlers. Superstar Billy Graham said Hogan had been taking steroids for at least a year when they first met in the mid-1970s. David Schultz went even further, claiming he personally injected Hogan “well over 100 times,” sometimes administering 12cc doses three times per week.
Hogan’s story continued to evolve over time. In his 2002 autobiography, he admitted to likely starting ster*id use in 1975, saying it was simply part of the culture in wrestling and other sports at the time. He likened taking ster**ds to brushing his teeth – just part of his daily routine.
The stark contrast between Hogan’s initial claims of extremely limited PED use and the reality of his extensive, long-term ster**d regimen highlights his willingness to brazenly lie when his reputation is on the line. It also demonstrates how his stories tend to change and contradict themselves over time as he’s forced to acknowledge previous falsehoods.
Hogan’s ster*id lies are just one example in a long history of tall tales and embellishments that have come to define his public persona in recent years. From exaggerated match details to fabricated celebrity encounters, separating fact from fiction in Hogan’s stories has become a challenge for wrestling historians and fans alike.
This kind of behavior isn’t really surprising. A little while ago, Gordon Ryan sparked controversy with a recent social media post seemingly targeting John Cena and other BJJ athletes who claim to be PED-free. Ryan shared a clip of Cena stating he’s “never taken anything” and is “dr*g-free for life,” accompanied by a caption critiquing similar claims in the BJJ community.
They’re not alone either. Dwayne The Rock Johnson also claimed something along the lines of that he tried PEDs once and they weren’t for him.
Dwayne Johnson Through the Years
With the recent blockbuster documentary Mr. McMahon, Hogan’s missteps are in the limelight once again.
Netflix’s new documentary Mr. McMahon attempts to reveal the real Vince McMahon, former WWE boss, but opinions differ on its success. The six-part series delves into his life, career, and controversies, featuring interviews with McMahon, his family, and former colleagues. However, McMahon withdrew from filming after being accused of a slew of serious charges, which some reviewers claim leaves a critical gap in the story. While the documentary offers an honest portrayal for some, McMahon dismisses it as “misleading.”
