MARVEL DEFEATS HULK HOGAN

**MattBrady** · 03-22-2005, 04:01 PM

Conflicting reports today regarding the future of “Hulk Hogan,” the WWE wrestler who’d been entangled in a legal battle with Marvel Comics over the use of the name “Hulk.”

If you go by The New York Post, Hogan can no longer use the name “Hulk” as part of his character.

The Post-reported decision supports Marvel’s claims that Hogan has been using the name illegally since he broke with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Previously, Marvel and Hogan (real name, Terry Bollea) had a licensing deal which allowed Bollea to use “Hulk” as part of his stage name.

The Post continues, reporting that, after Friday, March 25th, Hogan can no longer use the name “Hulk,” and must return to using the name “Hollywood Hogan” for his in-character appearances.

However, according to Pro Wrestling Insider, the opposite is true, as wrestling fans have noted that the WWE has been referring to the wrestler as “Hulk Hogan” recently, specifically in preparation for the Wrestlemania 21 Hall of Fame.

According to PWinsider, Marvel sold the rights to the name “Hulk Hogan” to Bollea on February 1st. The wrestling site speculates that the deal may have been part of a settlement when Marvel’s trademark infringement suit against Bollea was dismissed last September.

BlueThunderArmy · 03-22-2005, 04:26 PM

How about "Ultimate Hogan?"

Arsenal3 · 03-22-2005, 04:31 PM

So...

Does this mean that Hogan can use the "Hulk" name when he DOES work with WWE?

For example, he's slated to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at Wrestlemania this year? Can he be inducted as "Hulk Hogan," since this is a WWE event?

Tom Daylight · 03-22-2005, 04:33 PM

I don't see Marvel passing up on an opportunity to make some money out of it, somehow. It's not like Hulk Hogan tarnishes the image of the Hulk in any way.

wishlish · 03-22-2005, 04:34 PM

Interesting. The WWE announced the 2005 Class of the Hall of Fame shortly after its last PPV in February, and then a few weeks later started advertising Hogan's induction. Could it be that they were waiting for Marvel and Hogan to settle before adding him to the Wrestlemania bill?

OM · 03-22-2005, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fetsur
It's not like Hulk Hogan tarnishes the image of the Hulk in any way.

...On the contrary. Today's fey excuse for "rasslin'" is an insult to the spectacle that my generation grew up on. In my day, the only flamboyance we ever saw in the ring(*) was Wah-Hoo McDaniel's chief's headdress, Toro Tanaka's mask, and Joe "Ivan Putski" Berdnardski's toy duck. Nowadays, it's such fluff and bullshit hype that I actually miss Andy Kaufman being around to give goobers like the WWE and the WWF and whatever they're calling themselves these days the derision they deserve.

(*) After Gorgeous George finally, thankfully, retired...

Crusader · 03-22-2005, 04:51 PM

Someone should make a Hulk Hogan character in City of Heroes to doubly piss Marvel off.

Though I'm sure many already have.

BRease · 03-22-2005, 05:52 PM

Just wait till Marvel finds out about his kid...Hulkling Hogan.
Joey Q and the Young Avengers crew are gonna flip out!

Alfonso · 03-22-2005, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Crusader
Someone should make a Hulk Hogan character in City of Heroes to doubly piss Marvel off.

Only if that someone is Todd McFarlane. Oh! Hat trick!

Kolimar · 03-22-2005, 07:21 PM

......

DrTzinTzin · 03-22-2005, 07:33 PM

Thankfully he's nicknamed the Orange Goblin...if he was green, Terry would be in deep shit.

.

thegreatamb · 03-22-2005, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
Conflicting reports today regarding the future of “Hulk Hogan,” the WWE wrestler who’d been entangled in a legal battle with Marvel Comics over the use of the name “Hulk.”

If you go by The New York Post, Hogan can no longer use the name “Hulk” as part of his character.

The Post-reported decision supports Marvel’s claims that Hogan has been using the name illegally since he broke with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Previously, Marvel and Hogan (real name, Terry Bollea) had a licensing deal which allowed Bollea to use “Hulk” as part of his stage name.

The Post continues, reporting that, after Friday, March 25th, Hogan can no longer use the name “Hulk,” and must return to using the name “Hollywood Hogan” for his in-character appearances.

However, according to Pro Wrestling Insider, the opposite is true, as wrestling fans have noted that the WWE has been referring to the wrestler as “Hulk Hogan” recently, specifically in preparation for the Wrestlemania 21 Hall of Fame.

According to PWinsider, Marvel sold the rights to the name “Hulk Hogan” to Bollea on February 1st. The wrestling site speculates that the deal may have been part of a settlement when Marvel’s trademark infringement suit against Bollea was dismissed last September.

well we all know who the real news source is here. who would trust the new york post when pro wrestling insider is telling us somthing else.

(i hope you can catch the sarcasm in this)

fredeur · 03-22-2005, 08:01 PM

My name is Levert, in english, it's Thegreen.
Yes, like The Green Goblin
If some day by an incredible miracle i'm rich, do you think Marvel will sue my ass off?
There is a thing i can do? Ouch, second law suit, i've said thing.

Tom Daylight · 03-22-2005, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OM
...On the contrary. Today's fey excuse for "rasslin'" is an insult to the spectacle that my generation grew up on. In my day, the only flamboyance we ever saw in the ring(*) was Wah-Hoo McDaniel's chief's headdress, Toro Tanaka's mask, and Joe "Ivan Putski" Berdnardski's toy duck. Nowadays, it's such fluff and bullshit hype that I actually miss Andy Kaufman being around to give goobers like the WWE and the WWF and whatever they're calling themselves these days the derision they deserve.

(*) After Gorgeous George finally, thankfully, retired...

Yeah, but people don't really associate Hulk Hogan with the Hulk, do they?

I know I never did.

stlfan79 · 03-22-2005, 08:59 PM

I just hope marvel doesn't sue me for calling myself Superpro.

Slayton · 03-22-2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thegreatamb
well we all know who the real news source is here. who would trust the new york post when pro wrestling insider is telling us somthing else.

(i hope you can catch the sarcasm in this)

You're welcome to your opinion, but Dave Scherer and his staff work hard to make sure the news that appears on his site is an accurate and fact based as possible. He has many times avoided stories until he can absolutely confirm the facts. On the other hand, I've never heard the New York Post refered to as exactly a paragon of honest journalism.

BuckySinister · 03-22-2005, 09:54 PM

I'll have to second Slayton's assessment of PWInsider; it's essentially the wrestling industry's equivalent to Newsarama. Coupled with the mainstream media's usual lack of accuracy in dealing with pro wrestling, I'll take the PWInsider's word over the New York Post's on this matter.

What I've read indicates that Hogan was, on March 6th, granted use of the name "Hulk Hogan" due to the notoriety and public goodwill he's garnered under that name, as a separate character from Marvel's Hulk character. Confusing the issue is a lawsuit from Marvel against the WWE for unlawful use of the Hulk Hogan name, presumably in promotion for the upcoming Wrestlemania 21 event.

As a rasslin' fan of at least as long a term as OM (props for the Wahoo McDaniel reference, by the way), I can say this: when WWE first announced Hogan's induction into the Hall of Fame, they referred to him as Hollywood Hogan (his "I don't wanna pay royalties no more" screen name). In the last couple of weeks, however, they've begun referring to him as Hulk Hogan again. I thought it was interesting at the time, and this story makes it even moreso. Sounds like we might have one hell of a copyright battle coming up.

And, just because I can't resist: OM, I'll have to respectfully disagree with your assessment of modern rasslin'. Though the pomp and circumstance associated with the modern programming is sometimes a bit much for my taste, too, there are some very talented people working in the industry today. I'll put the ability and the work ethic of a Chris Benoit or an AJ Styles up against the stars of our youth any day of the week.

qnetter · 03-22-2005, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thegreatamb
well we all know who the real news source is here. who would trust the new york post when pro wrestling insider is telling us somthing else.

(i hope you can catch the sarcasm in this)

I don't actually know why you're being sarcastic... between PRO WRESTLING INSIDER and a Murdoch-owned paper, reliability is probably a toss-up.

qnetter · 03-22-2005, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by qnetter
I don't actually know why you're being sarcastic... between PRO WRESTLING INSIDER and a Murdoch-owned paper, reliability is probably a toss-up.

As has been pointed out... my apologies to PWI.

saiyanspider · 03-23-2005, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OM
...On the contrary. Today's fey excuse for "rasslin'" is an insult to the spectacle that my generation grew up on. In my day, the only flamboyance we ever saw in the ring(*) was Wah-Hoo McDaniel's chief's headdress, Toro Tanaka's mask, and Joe "Ivan Putski" Berdnardski's toy duck. Nowadays, it's such fluff and bullshit hype that I actually miss Andy Kaufman being around to give goobers like the WWE and the WWF and whatever they're calling themselves these days the derision they deserve.

(*) After Gorgeous George finally, thankfully, retired...

feh, I actually with wrestlers like Eddie Guerro, Chris benoit, Rey Mysterio, I prefer wrestling now.

The only people growing up I remember liking to this day, are Hogan (his in ring skills arn't that great but man he is entertaining), Pipper, and Flair.

Gordon McAlpin · 03-23-2005, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fetsur
Yeah, but people don't really associate Hulk Hogan with the Hulk, do they?

I agree with you -- a lot of people don't. Because a lot of people have dictionaries and realize that "hulk" is a word.

But then, we're talking about wrestling fans here...

JRB · 03-23-2005, 12:26 AM

I was pretty young at the time, but I believe the reason marvel went after them the first time around back in the early 80s is because Terry was being promoted as the Incredible Hulk Hogan , an obvious take-off of Ol' Jade Jaws. Since that time, Hulk Hogan has clearly given the name its own identity and noteriety. I don't see how Marvel could have a strong copy right infringement case at this point.

D-Mac · 03-23-2005, 12:30 AM

Fer Pete's sake, Marvel. Take your hands outta each other's butts, already!

saiyanspider · 03-23-2005, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gordon McAlpin
I agree with you -- a lot of people don't. Because a lot of people have dictionaries and realize that "hulk" is a word.

But then, we're talking about wrestling fans here...

...because comic fans are the great pillars of society

I love when comic fans down wrestling, considering the similarities lol. Large buff men in gaudy spandex outfits beating the crap out of each other...

Donster · 03-23-2005, 01:59 AM

Maybe Marvel will let Terry Bollea use Fantastic Horgan, Spider-Hogman or X-Hogmen as a wrestling name.

I'm not really a fan of the "sport" but thought that The Rock was a fun personality for wrestling.