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It's amazing how the first season of the re-imagined
American Gladiators has come to a close. Last night showcased the finale of the reality competition's maiden offering, even as tryouts have been underway to find hopefuls for season 2.
Ahead of last night's finals,
American Gladiators host,
Hulk Hogan, spoke to The Globe and Mail about the show and his take on some of its challenges and what draws audiences to it.
Hulk Hogan, also known as the Hulkster among fans of the World Wrestling circuit, has another hit under his belt. This time, it's not a body slam or suplex against an opponent inside the professional wrestling ring. It's
American Gladiators, which has racked up solid numbers during its just-concluded first season.
"I think it appeals to everyone,” Hogan, also the star of his own reality show,
Hogan Knows Best, told The Globe and Mail. “It's colourful, it's larger than life. It almost serves as a real-life video game. But it's got the best of everything, simply because it's real competition to draw in the people who are really into sports, and it has the animated look and the entertainment factor that just puts it over the top."
"When we first had meetings, I was surprised when they even brought the word reality up,” Hogan added, commenting on
American Gladiators being called a reality show. “I just viewed it as a straight-up competition. It's not like there's a predetermined finish."
The wrestling icon also tackled the open secret in professional wrestling, about outcomes being prearranged. He touched on what it's like when things don't necessarily go as planned inside the ring.
"The WWE [World Wrestling Entertainment] brought me back to be the biggest bad guy in the world. They thought I'd be a great dancing partner with what they called their greatest baby face - the good guy, the Rock,“ Hogan, Terrence Bollea in real life, recalled his stint at 2002's WrestleMania X8 at the SkyDome in Toronto. “They were trying to prove to me that Hulkamania had already had its run, and they had me do the most horrible things I could do to generate interest and make people hate me. But when I went out in the ring against the Rock, the people in Toronto just cheered so loud. Every time the WWE's hero tried to do something to compete with me, they booed him out of the building."
Finally, when asked who was going to win last night's finals, Hogan quipped: "C'mon. I can't do that, man."
-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: The Globe and Mail
(Image Courtesy of NBC)