Back before WrestleMania 1 captured the attention of all the Hulkamaniacs, the Hulkster was in a tag team matchup that made the wrestling world stop and stare with bated breath. It was the unconquerable Hulk Hogan and a special guest against the out-of-control-animal George Steele, and his partner Mr. Fuji. Against two of the most unpredictable wrestlers in the game, this match was going to be anything but easy.

The Hulkster knew that his partner wasn’t in the best of shape, but it’s incredible what a few days of training can do to a guy. Especially when that guy is pumping iron and running steps alongside Hulk Hogan himself! It wasn’t Hulkamania that was running wild at the time though brother, no. It was a force to be reckoned with though, even if it didn’t have a pair of 24 inch pythons himself.

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Mean-Gene-O-Mania was taking over Minneapolis, and there wasn’t a staircase too high or weight too heavy for the determined pair. In just one week, Hogan needed to transform Mean Gene into a vicious and tactical fighter that would shred through his enemies like a brand new shirt on the Hulkster. That meant 5 am starts, raw eggs for breakfast, and hardcore training from dawn till dusk. No bratwursts, beer, or otherwise, brother.

Just remember: they don’t call him Mean Gene for nothing!