Hogan mentions rock on TSN’s Off The Record
Landsberg introduces the Hulkster as one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time and the greatest performer ever, the biggest money maker in the history and the greatest crossover star wrestling has ever produced. Landsberg stops and asks Hogan if he is describing The Rock or Hulk Hogan. Hogan tells him with a smirk on his face that The Rock is the brother who walked through the door when Hulk opened it for him.
The topic of discussion now shifts to The Rock and how his character should be re-introduced if/when he returns. Landsberg indicates that the fans don?t take to The Rock quite like they used to. Hogan points out that this isn?t necessarily a bad thing, and that getting booed out of the building is a positive as well. No reaction would be bad news. Hogan says the fans have figured Rock out, in the sense that he is using wrestling as a springboard to a career in movies. Hogan compares this to the birth of the Hollywood character in WCW. Hogan doesn?t regret doing the movies however, even though doing movies in the past was viewed negatively by the WWF. A good example of this was when Hogan was fired after shooting Rocky III.
Hogan says that there is some jealousy towards The Rock backstage, and some things being said that are not factual. Hogan said that The Rock is very professional as the strongly negative reaction at Wrestlemania was unexpected, but both Hogan and Rock listened to each other in the match and managed to find an even ground when it was all said and done. Nevertheless, some in the back don?t understand the situation. Landsberg says that there is only one person who could possibly relate and that?s Hulk Hogan. Landsberg asks Hollywood if he likes how Rock has handled the situation. Hogan says that he does and has tremendous respect for him. He thinks Vince should welcome Rock back with open arms, as Rocky always puts over the WWE and gives his blood and guts to the company. Hogan says that The Rock?s crossover had better timing than his own. Hulk?s break-in period occurred when Stallone and Schwarzenegger were in their prime, whereas The Rock is capitalizing on the movie industry?s search for the new group of action stars. The segment closes with Landsberg complimenting Hogan and his longevity, saying that he was there in the past, is there now and will be there in the future.
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