Richard Belzer & Hulk Hogan’s Lawsuit In Netflix’s Mr. McMahon Documentary Explained

The Netflix docuseries Mr. McMahon is filled with shocking 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 1985 when Hogan was at the peak of his popularity.

The Mr. McMahon documentary covered 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 in Mr. McMahon from Hulk Hogan’s perspective involved an incident between him and TV actor Richard Belzer. Belzer had one of the most recognizable faces on network television, as he played Detective John Munch in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for 17 years, and the same role in the iconic crime show’s predecessor, Homicide: Life on the Street for 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.

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 including Scarface, Fletch Lives, and Fame. 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 called Hot Properties that 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 host
Hot Properties
and 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 the New 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.

Source: New York Times