Before making it big in WWE, the two-time Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan impressed several wrestling promoters. Before WWE, Hogan wrestled for a Minneapolis-based wrestling promotion American Wrestling Association.

AWA was a predominant wrestling promotion in all the Midwest and the wrestling fans got the first taste of Hulk Hogan. However, wrestling legend Brian Blair detailed a shoot fight between Hogan and AWA’s owner Verne Gagne.

Verne Gagne himself was a profound amateur and professional wrestler back in the 40s and 50s. Frequently, Verne has admitted that it was him that gave Hogan the ‘Hulk Hogan’ moniker.

WWE legend John Bradshaw Layfield, aka JBL, and his guest, WWE legend Brian Blair, shared a story where Hogan and Verne got involved in a shoot fight.

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Speaking on the latest episode of ‘Stories With Brisco And Bradshaw’, Blair recalled a time when Hogan put the AWA owner Verne Gagne in a face-lock and the owner was gasping for air.

Blair noted Gagne started talking in a wrong tone with Hogan and got in his face and the Hulkster didn’t like this. One thing led to another, and soon two legends started sparring.

“Apparently, Verne [Gagne] got in Terry’s [Hulk Hogan] face. A little too much. Talking down to him. That was really the worst mistake that Verne ever made because everybody says it was a job but Hogan was cinching down on that front facelock and Verne was gasping for air.” Blair confessed.

Verne Gagne didn’t consider Hulk Hogan as championship material

Before running wild in WWE, Hogan was integral in Verne Gagne’s promotion. However, things fell on the wayside when Verne admitted Hogan was not worthy enough to be a champion material.

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Gagne also backed it by saying that the Hulkster is a powerhouse and not a technical wrestler.

The relationship between Verne and Hogan soured further when he accepted an offer from Vince McMahon and got associated with WWF/WWE.

Thereafter, Hogan went down as one of the biggest names in the pro-wrestling industry.