Fred “Typhoon” Ottman Recalls Feuding With Hulk Hogan, Vince McMahon Pitch Meetings

– Fred Ottman, best known for gimmicks like Tugboat, Typhoon and the Shockmaster, discussed his feud with Hulk Hogan and more on Ricky Morton’s School of Morton podcast. Highlights are below:

On meeting with Vince McMahon to discuss his gimmick: “They called me in the office. Vince would sit down with all of his guys and they would have agents or whoever the powers may be. Pat Patterson was always his right hand man. They would throw things back and forth like a committee. He would call you into the office and talk to you. The thing is if they would come up with a gimmick for you they want you to be comfortable.”

On being in feuds with Hulk Hogan: “I couldn’t believe it, actually. You had the man that took the business to the next level and is that American icon. Once you went through that curtain, you get out there and feel the electricity of those people and Hulk was and still is a good, good guy and genuine guy and has helped so many guys in this business. Feel the electricity and the people’s response whether you are a heel or a babyface and getting that response.”

On John ‘Earthquake’ Tenta: “I got a picture of me and him at Disney World with our families. In Orlando on the Dumbo ride with Mickey Mouse ears on. People knew who we were from TV and here’s the two big rhinoceros with Mickey Mouse ears on to ride the dumbo ride. We were lucky we didn’t snap them off. We were both over four hundred pounds!”