Hulk Hogan recently spoke about the pivotal role played by Mr. T in the success of the first-ever WrestleMania and why he believes Mr. T deserved to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
During an interview with Michael Cole, Hulk Hogan explained how the WWE made a significant transition from the wrestling business to the entertainment business at that time, and Mr. T’s involvement was crucial in this transformation due to his immense fame as an actor.
Hogan stressed the importance of Mr. T’s contribution, stating that it would be unjust not to include him in the Hall of Fame. He acknowledged that many wrestlers, including Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff, were sceptical when Mr. T entered the world of professional wrestling. However, Hogan revealed that Mr. T was the driving force behind the success of the first WrestleMania, despite the reservations of some wrestlers.
You know, when you talk about how important Mr. T is. This company made a quick pivot it made a quick transition from the wrestling business to the entertainment business. To not have Mr. T in the Hall of Fame would be not right at all. I mean, he was the guy that we used as a pivotal point to point this ship in the right direction the whole WWE Universe rested on his back and we didn’t even know it.
When he came into this barbaric wrestling world. Piper didn’t want him in the ring. I can tell you firsthand, that Orndorff didn’t like him they did not want an actor in our business.
What Else Did Hulk Hogan Say About The First WrestleMania?
Hulk Hogan also emphasised the glamour and spectacle surrounding the inaugural WrestleMania event, with celebrities such as Liberace and Muhammad Ali making appearances. He credited Mr. T for shouldering the responsibility of steering the WWE in the right direction to become the great entertainment company it is today.
So with all the shenanigans and Liberace and Mohammed Ali and all the glam going on with WrestleMania One, this whole company was on Mr. T’s back to steer us in the right direction to become the great entertainment company we are today. That’s why he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.
H/t to TJRWrestling.net