Despite Hulk Hogan Barely Able to Walk, WWE Legend Reveals How He Managed to Put Together Successful Australia Tour: “That Was a Big Concern”

Hulk Hogan suffered from back pain for years. To relieve his backache, he had to undergo dozen of surgeries. But that didn’t hinder him from giving his best inside the ring. In November 2009, he had a successful Australian tour named Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin Tour. Given his back conditions, it even shocked Eric Bischoff to see how he even managed to perform during the tour.

Actually, it was Ric Flair who helped him pull through the tour. Having an older competitor automatically made The Hulkster look better inside the ring. But according to Bischoff, there was another person who aided him in his tour’s success.

Reno Anoa’i helped Hulk Hogan make his Australian tour successful

During the 83 Weeks podcast featuring Hogan’s Australian tour, Eric Bischoff revealed that the person who has an enormous hand in making the tour successful was Black Pearl aka Reno Anoa’i. He is the WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi’s cousin. 

As we know, Hogan was having physical troubles during the time, so the former Executive Producer and later Senior Vice President of WCW felt that choosing someone who he could entrust with handling the tour arrangement was very crucial.

He said, “That was a big concern. Hulk was in really, really bad physical shape at that point and also knew he had to be in there with somebody that he could really trust and depend on that could help him overcome some of the limitations he had physically because he was in really bad shape.”

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During the time, Black Pearl was working with a promoter and also working on shows in Australia. An idea to book The Hulkster for the Australia tour popped into his mind. He reached out to him and Bischoff. Both ended up getting impressed with his ideas.

But Bischoff pointed out that there is a tremendous difference between thinking about an idea and executing it properly. Black Pearl and his promoter had the capability to deliver on their idea. And they did just that. Thus resulting in the smooth functioning of the tour.

Bischoff said, “They were rock and roll promoters primarily. So clearly they had their s*** together and knew what they were doing. Had the relationships with venues and all the other things that you really need to have to be a successful promoter. So, they were credible.”

So with the help of The Nature Boy and Black Pearl, along with former RAW General Manager and other WWE legends on his side, Hogan’s Australian tour became a successful one.

What are your opinions on Eric Bischoff’s statement? Let us know in the comments below.

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