Hulk Hogan is one of the biggest names in pro wrestling history. In 1984, Hogan won the WWE Championship for the first time in his career by defeating The Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden, which was the day that “Hulkamania” was born.
Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon were able to expand WWE territory into a global phenomenon in the 80s. However, Marvel Comics noticed Hogan’s rising popularity. They decided to sue him for infringement of the name, “Hulk.”
In an interview with Theo Von on “The Weekend After,” WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan recalled his meeting with Vince McMahon Sr. and how he received the name.
“He goes, ‘I want you to be Hulk Hogan.’ ‘What does Hulk Hogan mean?’ ‘Ivan Putski for the Polish Americans, Bruno Sammartino for the Italian Americans, Chief Jay Strongbow for the Native Americans, and Hulk Hogan for the Irish Americans.’ Vince gave me the name. Vince Sr dies, Vince Jr takes over.”
Hulk Hogan said that at the Hight of his popularity in the 80s, WWE received a call from Marvel Comics. They informed McMahon about filing a lawsuit over the “Hulk” name. Hogan had to pay less than 1% from 1985 to 2005.
“Right when Hulk Hogan takes off, we get a call from Marvel Comics. ‘You’re infringing on our mark. Reasonably similar. We’re going to sue you, put you in litigation.’ We let them have the name, didn’t license the name. I only had to pay them one-tenth of 1%. That went from 1985 to 2005.”
Hogan said that he nearly lost the name “Hulk Hogan” in 2005. He signed a one-year agreement with Marvel Comics for using the name. As part of the deal, Hogan had to pay 30% of everything he earns.
“In 2005, it’s over. Now, I can’t use Hulk Hogan anymore, and I’m red hot in 2005. I went to my attorney, ‘I don’t give a damn what deal you make, you’re going to make a deal because I need the name.’ What happened was, I got a one-year extension and I had to pay them 30% of everything I made. Movies, TV wrestling, they got 30% of everything, but if they decided to sell the name, they had to give me first shot at it. They couldn’t sell the name or do anything. Fair market value.”
Marvel Comics filed a lawsuit over old Hulk Hogan matches, claiming WWE can’t re-air those bouts. However, MC lost the legal battle. They had to pay $35 million to Vince McMahon. Instead, MC sold the “Hulk Hogan” name for $750,000 to the WWE Hall of Famer.
“All of a sudden, Marvel Comics gets in a bi_chfest with WWE about intellectual properties, that they can’t re-air old Hulk Hogan matches. Marvel Comics lost. They owe Vince $35 million. They made a huge mistake. They said, ‘Instead of paying $35 million, how about we give you the Hulk Hogan name.’ I heard about it and went, ‘You screwed up now.’ Now, I don’t have to pay $35 million for the name, you have to sell it for me for fair money value,’ which is only $750 grand. I bought the name back. Vince wanted to buy the name from me. ‘Nah, I got this one.’ I bought the name back and I own everything.”
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