Starting his career as a professional wrestler in the late 70s, Hulk Hogan went on to become one of the most popular names in the wrestling world.

Over a decades-long career, he has gained a huge following throughout the world.

However, his talent and skills were not limited to the WWE ring only.

Throughout his wrestling career, Hogan has also had several stints with Hollywood, which started with Sylvester Stallone’s 1982 sports drama Rocky III.
Hulk Hogan
However, it did not turn out to be a great decision for his wrestling career.

During a recent conversation with The Joe Rogen Experience host, Hogan revealed that Vince McMahon Sr. fired him for starring in the Rocky franchise.

Hulk Hogan Believed the Rocky III Offer Was a Prank

Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky franchise is known to feature several real-life fighters, which has been going on since the very first movie in the film series. Hulk Hogan was also offered a cameo in the movie as Rocky’s opponent, Thunderlips.

Sylvester Stallone and Hulk Hogan
During a recent appearance on The JRE podcast, the WWE star shared that when he initially learned about the offer, he believed that one of his fellow wrestlers must have been trying to prank him and did not give it that much importance.

However, once he returned from his tour of Japan, he received a “Western Union letter” from the Hollywood star.

Hogan shared that he was a big fan of Stallone and was surprised when he offered to star in the movie with him. He shared that he had no idea how it would process as he had never done such a thing before.

Rocky III (1982)
“He [Stallone] goes, ‘I’ll give you $10,000 to do the film,” he recalled.

The retired wrestler further mentioned that he negotiated and asked for $15,000 for an appearance in Rocky III.

They finally agreed on $14,000, and Hogan shared he signed whatever Stallone wanted.

Hulk Hogan Was Fired For Starring in Rocky III

While the offer to star in one of the most popular franchises of the time alongside Sylvester Stallone was something new for Hulk Hogan, the wrestler did not expect to get fired for it.

He shared that he was working with Vince McMahon’s father, Vincent J. McMahon at the time.

Hulk Hogan
He stated that Vincent J. McMahon was the one who he first started working with when he came to New York, and they were really good friends as well.

However, when he told him that he was ready to leave for LA to film Rocky III, “Vince Sr.” denied it and told him to go “down to that southern swing wrestling thing.”

He said that he opposed his decision and told him that he was going to Los Angeles and would come back once he was done with the movie.

However, Vincent J. McMahon was adamant about his decision and told him, “Don’t come back, you’re never gonna work here again. Never.”

Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan
Despite getting fired from WWE, he continued wrestling, and following the release of the film, Hogan shared that Vince McMahon came to him with the offer to rejoin WWE, after which he went on to become a world champion.