“I Hit Him From Behind”: WWE Legend Confesses Hitting Dwayne Johnson With a Real Hammer

Kayfabe is an integral part of pro wrestling. Some practitioners of the sport have taken extreme measures to protect their character. One such was narrated by a 70-year-old legend who had an iconic feud with The Rock in the early 2000s. The Great One’s opponent recently recalled the episode where he hit Dwayne Johnson with an actual hammer.

The story visibly left the host of the podcast, on which the former pro wrestler appeared as a guest, shaken. Let’s learn about the chilling incident.

70-year-old’s brazen admission leaves Joe Rogan’s jaw on the floor

The clues left behind might have enabled many to deduce the identity of Dwayne Johnson’s opponent already. In case you haven’t figured it out, it is Hulk Hogan we are talking about. The Hulkster was a guest on Joe Rogan’s ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast recently. The legend, who turned 70 earlier in August, spoke about a host of topics, including his feud with Johnson.

After a popular run in the WWE, Hogan had exited the company and spent most of the 90s in the rival World Championship Wrestling (WCW). After Vince McMahon bought the promotion, many joined the new owners immediately, while Hogan sat out. He, however, made his return to the Stamford-based promotion in 2002.

Before making his appearance, Hogan was briefed about the ongoing scenario and changes from none other than the pro wrestling impresario. Taking it up as a challenge, Hogan appeared for the first time in WWE as Hollywood Hogan, donning the iconic black garb. To make his character even more notorious in front of the new crowd, he took on The Rock, who was an absolute crowd favorite at that time.

On the February 18, 2002, episode of RAW, Hogan took his kayfabe to a new level. With help from his nWo team mates- Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, he left The Rock traumatized. “So, I go out of the ring, and I got a toolbox and I dump the toolbox out and there’s this ball peen hammer, right?… While they got him hooked… I hit him from behind with a hammer, right,” Hogan said, as Rogan looked shaken after the admission.

Read More: Hulk Hogan Reveals Interesting Dwayne Johnson Fanboy Story, Years Before They Tore Down the House at WrestleMania 18

What followed a month later, at WrestleMania 18, was unexpected.

Things didn’t go as per plan for Hulk Hogan despite best efforts

Just think about working so hard just for it to fail later. That is what happened to Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 18. The famously dubbed Icon Vs. Icon bout between Dwayne Johnson and Hulk Hogan was supposed to take place with the 70-year-old as the heel and his opponent as the face. But the crowd wouldn’t allow it.

Satisfied with the torture he laid on the 51-year-old a month ago, Hogan was sure he would get the crowd to hate him inside the SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on March 17, 2002. But it didn’t go as per his plans. On the contrary, those in attendance, started to cheer him on. Fortunately for the WWE, two of their best were involved.

Hogan said they changed the script on the go in about 10 minutes. He also hailed Johnson for possessing the wrestler instinct and having no issues with making adjustments quickly.

This just goes on to show the popularity Hulk Hogan enjoyed amongst pro wrestling fans. Even turning against Dwayne Johnson wasn’t good enough to get him heat. The match also ended with The Immortal one turning face, with Johnson showing his class.

Watch This Story: Broke Teenager to Highest Paid Hollywood Actor: The Evolution of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson

But what’s your take on the issue? Do you think it was an extreme step Hogan took? Let us know in the comments.