Hulk Hogan on quitting alcohol after lifetime of wrestling

When it comes crashing down and it hurts inside, then it might be time to step away from the drugs and alcohol. And that’s just what pro wrestler, suburban commando and Richard Belzer choker-outer Hulk Hogan had to do when it started running wild on him.

Speaking with Muscle & Health, Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Bollea) said, “I’ve had a lot of practice drinking because I wrestled for about forty years, so those guys have a beer every once in a while,” a clear nod to the days when the vast majority of pro wrestlers were heavy drinkers (and looked like it). “But about seven months ago, I decided not to drink any more alcohol. I was at a New Year’s Eve party and saw a bunch of stuff that I didn’t condone or like. I saw myself in this environment, and I went, ‘You know what? I don’t know how I got here, but I’m done.’” This, he notes, has been a point of contention at times. “I’ve had certain wrestlers look at me in the face and go, ‘If you don’t have a drink with me, you’re not my friend.’ ‘Well, I am your friend, but I’m not going to drink with you. What are you going to do about it?’”

While Hulk Hogan has body slammed and leg dropped his way into pro wrestling iconography – winning numerous world titles, headlining more WrestleManias than anyone else and proving to be one of the greatest faces and heels in sports entertainment – certainly his bouts with alcohol and steroids (he was a main witness in the famous steroids trial of 1994) will also make their way into the upcoming Chris Hemsworth-starring biopic.

Of course, considering how much they beat up their bodies, it’s no surprise that so many professional wrestlers – especially those prominent the ‘80s and ‘90s – have a history with drugs and alcohol, with major names like Ric Flair, Scott Hall, Lex Luger, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, the late, great Terry Funk joining Hulk Hogan in their struggles. Unfortunately, not nearly as many are as lucky as Hogan, as one glance at the Wikipedia page for List of premature professional wrestling deaths shows just how much tragedy is linked to the business.

What is your favorite Hulk Hogan match? For me, it’s either Hogan vs. The Rock at WrestleMania X8 or his classic match against The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI.