Hulk Hogan claims that ‘Dr. D’ David Schultz was originally planned to be included in the main event for WrestleMania I.
Schultz joined WWE in 1983, but his tenure was cut short after he notoriously slapped John Stossel during a segment on 20/20 for Stossel’s claim that wrestling was fake.
The incident in December 1984 contributed to Schultz’s departure from the company in February 1985, just a month before the inaugural WrestleMania.
According to Hogan, Schultz had envisioned the main event for WrestleMania I and was supposed to be part of it.
During a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Hogan said, “The main event of WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden, that was David Schultz’s idea. It was his original idea for WrestleMania… It all started with David’s idea. It didn’t turn out that way, but that’s how it started.”
He continued, “David shot his own angle when he slapped Mr. T. Vince was so damn mad. He wouldn’t forgive him, and that was the end of him.”
Hogan had previously noted that Schultz was fired due to an incident involving Mr. T, who teamed with Hogan against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.
Schultz has denied the narrative of the incident as described by Hogan and others.
Hogan told Justin Barrasso that Schultz was meant to take Orndorff’s place.
Speaking of WrestleMania 41 week, WWE is selling Triple H signature series championships ahead of the upcoming Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
There are four titles available, with three priced at $749.99 and one at $849.99.
You can check out the titles from WWEShop.com below:
Triple H 30th Anniversary Championship Titles are now available at #WWEShop! Celebrate three decades of Triple H with these one-of-a-kind championship title belts, perfect for any collector! #WWE #WrestleMania
🛒: https://t.co/chxdm1gHVN pic.twitter.com/KeEeKuLsu7
— WWEShop.com (@WWEShop) April 17, 2025
