Flair makes a bloody Hulk

[nightrain]

HULK HOGAN is left a bloody mess by fellow wrestling legend Ric Flair, as the pair kick off their tour of Australia.

In a staged fight - known as a 'work' among wrestling fans - 60-year-old Flair busted open the Hulkster, 56, with a flurry of punches after the two traded insults about their failed love lives.

It is thought former WWE world champion Hogan cut himself to start a flow of blood, which then ended up all over his face and white T-shirt. The stunt is known as 'blading'.

You can watch the video below (click on the link to the story for the video)

News outlets in Australia were unsure what to make of the incident, with many of them reporting it as a serious bust-up.

The two icons of the wrestling business - who have held 28 world championships between them - are headlining the HulkaMania: Let The Battle Begin tour Down Under.

The match-up between the pair, who have previously feuded in WWE and WCW, is eagerly anticipated.

It is the first time Hogan has wrestled in Australia during his 32-year career and Flair's first bout since he 'retired' at WrestleMania 24 in March 2008.

Hulk - who recently divorced wife Linda - said: "The fans here have stuck with me through the highs and lows.

"In the last couple of years my personal life got flipped upside-down and the fans stayed with me through everything, so what better place to start over than right here."

Ric - who last week got married for the fourth time - said of the match: "Two guys are going to walk down that aisle.

"One will walk back. I've never, ever not made it back down that aisle."

Others on the tour include former WWE superstars Rikishi, The Nasty Boys, Umaga, Mr Kennedy, Val Venis and Brutus 'The Barber' Beefcake.

After the Aussie shows Hogan will join TNA Wrestling in America.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/2735468/Ric-Flair-left-fellow-wrestling-legend-Hulk-Hogan-a-bloody-mess-as-the-pair-kicked-off-their-tour-of-Australia.html#ixzz0XENryELF

[Izzy]

Lol, work

[Hammy]

I like how they explain things for the benefits of the "non-fan".

[D]

Australians may be half a day ahead of us, but they sure are many years behind us in pop culture.

[BlowUpYourVideo]

That was an oddly technical description of a wrestling match.....

(Wikipedia seems to have adopted a similar policy of describing things for non-fans. Instead of saying, like, a powerbomb, they say something like "dropped his opponent back first onto the mat with force".... )

[Hammy]

I think the most worrying thing from this picture is the horrendous shape Brian Knobbs looks to be in now, considering he is wrestling on the tour....

[Izzy]

Easy Hulk, just cos WWE banned it doesn't mean u have to cut through veins...

[Hammy]

I do have to say I am very impressed, maybe its because I've been deprived of a really good blade job for so long, but to go to this effort to hype an untelevised tour, kudos!