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Hulk Hogan Sues Ex-Wife for Defamation Over Brutus Beefcake Claims

By Cynthia Hsu, Esq. on December 12, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Former wrestler Hulk Hogan has sued his ex-wife Linda Bollea for defamation.

No, she didn't poke fun at his famous mustache or hairline. And it's not like she publicly stated that pro-wrestling isn't real.

Bollea writes, in her new book "Wrestling the Hulk -- My Life Against the Ropes," Bollea details some "intimate" moments in her marriage. She accuses Hogan of abuse. She also gave interviews where she hinted that the ex-wrestler had homosexual encounters during their marriage.

Last June, a radio reporter asked her, "Do you believe that Hulk and Brutus Beefcake ever had an intimate relationship?" The St. Petersburg Times reported that Bollea's response was succinct: "Well, a little bird told me yes."

Hogan claims that the Bollea's statements damaged his reputation, and that the statements made by his ex are false. The lawsuit alleges that Hogan's been exposed to "distrust, hatred, contempt and ridicule" over the book.

The material is definitely salacious if true. On the other hand, a book that details a troubled marriage complete with juicy tidbits is bound to sell more copies than one with a boring vanilla-like story. Hogan alleges that his wife is simply trying to save her "sagging" career. He says Bollea's star power severely diminished after the end of their reality television show.

If Bollea's novel only contains true facts, she will have a strong defense against the defamation lawsuit. Defamation actions can only prevail if the statements made are false.

In order to bolster her defense, Bollea may need to provide evidence that her statements are true. For example: evidence that Hogan had homosexual encounters or documentation of abuse.

The timing of the suit itself is also interesting. Hulk Hogan has sued Linda Bollea less than a month after court documents revealed that Bollea received more than 70% of the couple's liquid assets after their divorce, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

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