Hulk Hogan Was Fired From Wrestling in Fall River

Former WWF (World Wrestling Federation) champion Hulk Hogan visited Christy's Liquors in Cranston, Rhode Island, on August 28 to promote his new Real American beer.

Will Flanagan, former mayor of Fall River and a fan, reminded Hogan then of an interesting story about his past.

Hogan decided to share it with everyone at the Cranston packy.

Hulk Hogan's Fall River Story

Hogan shared with the crowd that back in 1980, while he was still relatively unknown nationally (well before Hulkamania was running wild), he showed up for a wrestling event at the Bank Street Armory in Fall River.

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Vince McMahon's father, the head of what was then known as the WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation), called the armory on the house phone to give Hogan a directive.

"He told me that I was not allowed to appear in a movie that I was just offered," he said. "I was supposed to play a character called Thunderlips in a movie called Rocky 3."

Hogan said his boss was not happy about the idea of the wrestler appearing in the movie.

READ MORE: Fall River's Former Mayor Shaken After Lightning Strikes Inches Away

He remembered McMahon telling him, "If you take that movie and you don't go to your next house show, you're fired!"

Of course, most of us know that Hogan dismissed the order, going against McMahon's wishes and appearing in Rocky 3 alongside Mr. T and Sylvester Stallone.

"Hulk Hogan got fired in Fall River, Massachusetts," Flanagan told Michael and Maddie the morning after the legend's Rhode Island appearance. "Vince McMahon Sr. ended up retiring from his WWWF company, Vince McMahon Jr. took over, and Wrestlemania 1 was put together featuring Hulk Hogan and Mr. T.  The rest is history."

Hulk Hogan Gets a Key to Fall River

Flanagan admits he couldn't resist the chance to meet his boyhood idol when he heard Hogan was in Rhode Island. The former mayor even asked current Mayor Paul Coogan for a key to the city to present to the wrestling legend.

"The look on his face when he was holding the key to the city was just priceless," Flanagan said. "His eyes were wide and you could see him reliving the moment that happened 45 years ago right here in Fall River."