Sylvester Stallone has revealed that Hulk Hogan put "three stuntmen" in hospital when they filmed ‘Rocky III’ together.
Stallone wrote, directed and starred as Rocky Balboa in the third movie in the boxing franchise and he hand-picked the WWE legend to portray grappler Thunderlips in the 1982 film.
In the movie, world heavyweight champion boxer Rocky has a bout against the world champion wrestler to raise money for charity and the match descends into a brawl with Thunderlips fighting with the crowd.
Stallone admits the 6ft 7in Hogan didn’t realise his own strength and as well as leaving him writhing in agony after one matt move he also hospitalised three guys by accident.
The 70-year-old actor – who stands at 5ft 9in – remembered the shoot in a post on his Instagram account along with a throwback photo of Hogan lifting him high above his head.
Stallone wrote: "Another flashback and another reason why it’s not such a great idea to always do your own stunts! I met Terry Bollea aka THUNDERLIPS aka HULK HOGAN In the very early 80s when I was directing Rocky III. AT 6feet 7 and 295 pounds with 24 inch biceps ! He was an amazing athlete! Incredibly powerful. I remember a violent move where he threw me into the corner , charged across the ring like an ENRAGED bull and leaped so amazingly high Above me,that his shinbone actually came down giant tree on my collarbone , and I tumbled to the floor. I was afraid to look at my shoulder for about 10 minutes … I said "don’t roll me over , don’t move me, " because I was sure there was bone protruding through my upper chest ! Of course there wasn’t but I have never felt such a mind numbing pain from a massive hit before or since that day! HULK Just didn’t know his own strength. Believe it or not when he jumped into the audience to fight with the stuntmen , three of them had to be treated at the hospital. Great guy, great friend, his presence made the Film very very special. HULK , if you’re reading this, it was a privilege to be mangled by such a gentleman. (sic)"
The pair’s friendship endured after the movie wrapped and was released and Stallone was chosen to induct Hogan into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Hogan, 63, has long been rumoured to be set for a cinematic reunion with Stallone in ‘The Expendables 4’ and he has admitted he would relish the opportunity to star in the action franchise as a villain opposite Stallone’s character Barney Ross.
The grappling icon previously told BANG Showbiz: "I definitely want to be the bad guy. I want to fight Stallone again like I did in ‘Rocky III’. I haven’t heard anything though, nothing. I’m praying for it though, I would love it … It would be a lot of fun standing opposite him, face-to-face. I’m very interested in movies, if it’s fun and it’s the right thing for me. I don’t care if it’s a big part or a cameo, I could be a supporting actor. I’d love to do more acting."
Sylvester Stallone: Hulk Hogan hospitalised three guys on Rocky III
