The Netflix docuseriesMr. McMahonis filled withshocking moments from the history of Vince McMahon, creator of World Wrestling Entertainment, and the history of the WWE itself, but one of the most noteworthy involved actor Richard Belzer and wrestler Hulk Hogan. The tell-all six-part documentary involved former WWE wrestlers and business associates providing their perspectives on various events in the history of the entertainment company.Hulk Hogan went into some detail on an incident that happened in front of a live audience in 1985when Hogan was at the peak of his popularity.
TheMr. McMahondocumentarycovered the long history of lawsuits against McMahon and other individuals associated with the WWE. While many contained allegations of abuse, one of the lawsuits covered in the docuseries was far less heinous. It occurred early in WWE’s history and actually wound up setting some legal precedent as a result of the lawsuit’s aftermath.
Richard Belzer Explained: Who The Actor Is & What Roles He’s Best Known For
Belzer Was A Television Veteran
The lawsuit outlined inMr. McMahonfrom Hulk Hogan’s perspective involved an incident between him andTV actor Richard Belzer. Belzer had one of the most recognizable faces on network television, as he played Detective John Munch inLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitfor 17 years, and the same role in the iconic crime show’s predecessor,Homicide: Life on the Streetfor six years before that. The role is so iconic that he wound up playing John Munch in small roles in other TV shows throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
1999-2016
1993-1996
1990-1991
2008
Sgt. John Munch
Before his passing at the age of 78 in 2023, Belzer also had a lengthy career in movies. While he was never the prototypical leading man, Belzer was a distinguished character actor who appeared in high-profile movies includingScarface,Fletch Lives, andFame. Belzer also had non-traditional roles over the course of his career, and one of those roles is how his lawsuit against Hulk Hogan came to be.
What Happened Between Richard Belzer & Hulk Hogan: Why He Sued The WWE Star In 1985
A TV Stunt Yielded A Personal Injury Lawsuit
In 1985, Belzer hosted a show calledHot Propertiesthat featured interviews with some of the most notable personalities in sports and cinema, including BB King, Leonard Cohen, and Little Richard, among others. Two of his guests were Hulk Hogan and Mr. T, who Belzer was interviewing in advance of the two superstars' match at Wrestlemania I. During the interview, Belzer asked Hogan to apply a wrestling hold on him, intended as a fun display of wrestling for the audience. Unfortunately, the hold caused Belzer to pass out and hit his head on the ground, drawing blood.
The week after the incident, Belzer returned to hostHot Propertiesand showed off the stitches in his head that were required after the injury he sustained after he fell out of Hogan’s arms.
Despite Hogan apologizing for the incident and warning the audience not to copy anything they see wrestlers do on TV, Belzer still filed a $5 million lawsuit against Hogan for personal injury. The case was originally set to be heard in the New York State Supreme Court, but ultimately it never came to pass. Hogan and Belzer settled out of court, and at the time of the lawsuit, the amount was undisclosed. It wasn’t ultimately consequential, but it was another very public negative incident for the (then-called) WWF at the time.
How Much Money Belzer Actually Won From The Lawsuit & What The Case’s Aftermath Was
The Trial Led To New Legal Precedent
While Belzer originally sued for an astounding $5 million, it was later reported that he and Hogan settled for roughly $400,000 out of court. Belzer famously used the money to purchase a house for himself and his wife on the French Riviera, which Belzer would refer to as “Chez Hogan” following the suit. While it was nowhere near the original amount that Belzer sought in the lawsuit, $400,000 was still a significant reward for his suffering in 1985.
Belzer’s case would go on to dictate legal precedent surrounding lawyers' contingent fees.
The lawsuit also resulted in a change in legal precedent, per theNew York Times. Following the settlement, Belzer’s lawyers claimed that they deserved 50% of the settlement as opposed to the traditional 33% that they were set to earn. Belzer initially signed a letter supporting their ask but later claimed that he only did so under duress, thinking that if he didn’t, it would jeopardize his chances of winning. A judge would go on to rule that the time the lawyers spent on the case, which was the basis of their claim, was part of their risk in taking on the case. That case would go on to dictate legal precedent surrounding lawyers' contingent fees.
Mr. McMahon
Cast
Mr. McMahon is a six-episode series that chronicles Vince McMahon’s rise as WWE co-founder and his eventual fall due to sexual misconduct allegations. Featuring interviews with McMahon, his family, and wrestling icons, the series offers an in-depth look at his controversial legacy.
