Have you ever wondered what happens when you mix a belligerent drunk, a comedy store, and Joe Rogan? You probably think you know how it ends, but trust us, this is no ordinary heckler story. This is Joe Rogan in peak form. Calm, calculated, with hair on his head, and proving why he’s as much a martial artist as he is a podcast king.

In a recently resurfaced video titled, “Joe Rogan Chokes Out Drunk Guy at the Comedy Store,” Rogan was seen going back and forth in a seemingly civil debate with what looked like an inebriated (albeit articulate) man. The conversation seemed to revolve around technology and immigration, back in 2004.

What first started as silly banter, soon escalated into the now-infamous moment. “You’re a little crazy? That’s the problem talking to you. You are not really rational,” he told the heckler. “You want to be right about all these things. Because you think about these things all the time. And you are not listening to what anybody’s saying, you just wanna be right. At this point, the man reached out and poked Rogan on his shoulder. “Touch me again, and I’m gonna choke you out, okay?”

The heckler, emboldened by liquid courage, tested Rogan’s patience one more time. What followed was a swift chokehold, with the man tapping out in seconds. Rogan released him immediately, adhering to martial arts ethics. The crowd at the Comedy Store was left in stunned silence. The internet? Anything but.

Reactions to the now-viral clip, shared by Rogan’s team with the caption, “Another one from the archives,” have sparked heated debates. Many fans questioned whether Rogan’s response was warranted, while others defended the comedian’s actions. The controversy has ignited a fiery discourse about self-defense, showmanship, and the blurred lines between the two.

“If the Guy Was 6 ft 3, Joe Wouldn’t Do That,” Fans Call Out Joe Rogan

While some fans defended Rogan’s quick reaction, others weren’t as forgiving. “If the annoying guy was 6ft3 and 250lbs, he wouldn’t do that,” wrote one critic, highlighting what they perceived as a lack of fairness in Rogan’s actions. Another jabbed, “No decent comedian ever choked out anyone,” implying Rogan’s reaction was far from professional.

Some fans also questioned his sensitivity to the situation. “So sensitive. Not cool,” one commenter noted, while another bluntly called him out, “Joe needs Jesus.” Others, however, found humor in the situation. “The gorilla got him lol,” one fan joked. But even those defending Rogan didn’t fully dismiss the ethical debate. “He let go as soon as he tapped,” one fan pointed out, commending Rogan for his restraint.

For many, the video exemplifies Rogan’s dual identity, the martial artist who preaches discipline and the comedian-podcaster whose brash approach often makes headlines. Yet even supporters acknowledged the polarizing nature of the incident. “Sometimes alpha males need to give a little umf to the betas to make ’em relax. That’s all,” one fan remarked. Critics, on the other hand, viewed it differently. Moreover, why does it feel like Rogan’s response stemmed more from ego than necessity?

Was Rogan simply enforcing boundaries or crossing a line? While some see the chokehold as justified self-defense, others feel it was unnecessary. Whether you see this as vintage Rogan or a moment of poor judgment, one thing’s certain, the internet isn’t ready to let it go anytime soon.

What would you do in Joe Rogan’s shoes? Would you have handled it differently? Or do you think the heckler got exactly what he deserved? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!