Stallone Remembers Hogan’s Precision and Strength in Rocky III
I’m Jaden Patel and I bring you this with all the deadpan zeal of a tax auditor. Sylvester Stallone recently sat down with TMZ Sports to reflect on Hulk Hogan’s unforgettable presence on the set of Rocky III back in 1982. Stallone insists we’ll never see another wrestling icon, Hollywood star or reality-TV staple quite like Hogan, and he has the bruises to prove it.
Stallone says that when he first met Hogan he noticed an almost otherworldly glow – not the kind you’d find in a glow stick, but something that hinted at superstardom. According to an ESPN retrospective, Hogan arrived on set at a chiseled 315 pounds. Stallone recalls Hogan scooping him up and dropping him to the floor so effortlessly he expected to become pulp. He describes Hogan’s fall-breaking technique as “magician-level,” a skill picked up in the ring and confirmed by WWE.com’s behind-the-scenes archives.
Speaking of bruises, Stallone shares a memorable stunt gone sideways when Hogan’s trademark leap shattered his collarbone. “He swore he’d be gentle,” Stallone deadpanned, “then launched like a human cannonball.” That same WWE.com archive credits Hogan with pioneering stunts that bridged wrestling showmanship and cinematic spectacle.
Stallone also raves about Hogan’s uncanny punch accuracy. He even demonstrates a trick Hogan taught him on how to mask the sound of impact for the camera. “I thought I was the king of on-screen punches,” Stallone admits, “until Hogan showed me how to hit me so precisely I couldn’t tell which way was up.” TMZ Sports broke the news of Hogan’s passing after cardiac arrest on July 23, and WWE confirmed the heartbreaking report in an official statement.
At 71, Hogan’s death leaves Stallone comparing his loss to the passing of Carl Weathers, another Rocky alum. With Ozzy Osbourne’s recent departure, Stallone admits this has been a rough week for having any faith in longevity. He calls Hogan an irreplaceable force of nature – both in the ring and on camera.
Beyond his Thunderlips role in Rocky III, Hogan conquered pro wrestling, blockbuster films and reality television. Stallone praises Hogan’s business acumen and resilience, noting that despite chronic injuries he never once complained. Instead, Hogan remained pleasant to crew and co-stars alike, a fact corroborated by co-stars and crew in interviews featured on ESPN and WWE.com.
Hogan’s willingness to speak his mind – Stallone points to his support for Donald Trump at the 2024 RNC – earned him both criticism and respect. Stallone says he’s a better man for having known Hogan’s unwavering loyalty to his beliefs.
Stallone wraps up by highlighting a Rocky III montage where Hogan plows through stuntmen “like a lawn mower,” proof positive of his raw power. Ric Flair’s emotional tribute and countless fan remembrances underscore that Hulkamania runs deeper than muscle and charisma.
Well, there you have it. Let’s pretend we learned something today.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ Sports, WWE.com, ESPN
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
