Hulk Hogan Explains Why He Looked At The Wrestling Business As A Shoot

It’s not a work to the Hulkster, brother.

During a recent appearance on the Full Send Podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer discussed a number of topics, including the wrestling business’ pay structure. He explained how he always looked at the business as a shoot, because if you’re a top guy who’s winning the majority of your matches, you’re likely making more than your peers.

“I worked for Vince Sr. first, from 78 to about 80, I worked for Vince Sr. So I was kind of his guy for a while, and I was kind of wild in the streets. I didn’t listen very well. I would disappear, make some money, pull no-shows. I was 27 or 28 years old, I was nuts. So I was running hard back then. I wasn’t married, so I pretty much was doing whatever I wanted to do. I kind of got involved with Vince, and everybody says, ‘Oh, this business is a work.’ Okay. Well, if I’m making twice as much money as you and you’re wrestling me, is that a work? It’s a fucking shoot brother, and that’s how I looked at it. This business was a shoot. It was the man who made the most money. So when I worked for Vince and Bob Backlund was the champion, I wrestled Backlund. Backlund always got paid more than me. Oh really? So this isn’t a work? So it does matter if you win or lose? It does matter if you’re the champion or not? Everybody goes, ‘Oh, it’s a work.’ Well, it’s really not a work. It’s about the money and the mileage. For me, if you’re a good guy, usually, until the nWo came along, back in the day, if you were a good guy, your merchandise sold two to one over the bad guys’ stuff. That’s not a work to me. That’s a shoot, brother. If I make more money than you and I’m wrestling you, my t-shirt’s selling twice as much as yours, maybe it’s a work to you, but not to me, if my check’s double yours. So I always looked at it that way,” Hogan said.

Elsewhere during the interview, Hogan spoke about Bret Hart and why The Hitman has beef with him. Click here to read more.

You can also view Hogan’s comments on The Iron Sheik’s passing by clicking here.

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