“Lighten Up Brother”: Hulk Hogan Complains About Vince McMahon’s Often Over-Looked Skill in 40+ Years of Steering WWE

A few weeks ago, the WWE Universe witnessed a poignant moment as Endeavor completed its acquisition of the company. The $21.4 billion deal that was first announced in April, reached completion in September, as WWE officially merged with UFC to form a new company – TKO Group Holdings. With it, Vince McMahon became the minority owner for the first time in 40 years.

Not just owning, McMahon donned several hats and played various roles within the parameters of WWE and arguably was the single biggest contributor to WWE’s success as a global juggernaut. Recently, one of WWE’s leading names – Hulk Hogan – spoke about his former boss. The Hulkster recalled one of McMahon’s skills that seldom gets discussed.

Hulk Hogan takes a cheeky jab at Vince McMahon

Hogan is perhaps the most famous face in all of pro wrestling. With a career spanning several decades and having been put over by the legendary Andre the Giant, The Hulkster ruled the roost in the 80s and 90s and still continues to be a relevant name in the business. So, when he says something, the wrestling fans listen.

As per the 70-year-old, McMahon is the best heel he has ever faced. He said it during a chat with Chris Van Vliet recently. As a guest on Vliet’s podcast, Hogan spoke about his WrestleMania 19 match against Mr. McMahon – a heel gimmick played by the former WWE boss. “Vince has been in the ring a lot and he’s very good because I’ve been in the ring with Vince and he’s one of the best heels I’ve ever worked against. Everything he does hurts though. A lot,” he said

The two-time WWE Hall of Famer said McMahon’s punches hurt. So, the two sat before their match at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington on March 30, 2003. “I was in WrestleMania 19 doing this all night long- ‘lighten up brother, lighten up brother, I’m on the team with you, lighten up, you keep doing that you’re going to be in here by yourself’,” Hogan told Vliet, speaking about how he had to remind McMahon not to hit so hard. Later, the duo put on a nearly 21-minute match.

Hogan won the bout by pinfall. Had he lost the match, The Immortal One had to bid adieu to in-ring competition. Meanwhile, Hogan also weighed in on an ongoing pro wrestling debate involving another WWE legend.

Hulk Hogan shares his view on John Cena’s heel turn

Every now and then, pro wrestling podcasts would discuss this topic – why didn’t John Cena turn heel? Many fans too have had the question and the WWE also tried it for a while, but it never materialized, and Cena remained the quintessential good boy of the pro wrestling world.

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Hogan, who immortalized himself as a classic heel during his run as Hollywood Hogan with nWo, felt Cena should have done it. When asked if he would have advised the 16-time World Champion about turning heel, Hogan said Cena would have had a better understanding of the fans’ emotions.

But he added that the angle could have been used as Cena, according to Hogan, would have made a good heel. Did the WWE miss a trick with that? We’ll never know.

But for now, tell us what you make of Hogan’s observation about McMahon. Do you agree with him?

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