A chaotic story from 1985 involving Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, and a hotel room mirror has been dismissed by wrestling historian Dave Meltzer. On the September 2 episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer stated there was no truth to a viral claim that Hogan violently confronted Piper after the main event of the first WrestleMania.
The story originated from a comedy bit by Erica Nicole Clark, daughter of Mr. T, which was shared by Don’t Tell Comedy. Clark claimed that after Roddy Piper legitimately injured her father by cracking his ribs during their tag team match, a furious Hulk Hogan took matters into his own hands. She alleged that Hogan, supposedly using c*caine in front of her family, grabbed Piper and threw him against a wall, smashing a mirror in their hotel room.
When asked if there was “even a skeleton of this story” that was true, Meltzer’s response was a direct “No.” He explained that a physical confrontation of that magnitude would have been impossible to keep secret for decades.
Piper’s written books — he’s talked about it over and over and over again. Hogan has talked about things over and over and over again. The few physical confrontations Hogan had are super, super, super well known.
Meltzer referenced the well-documented backstage incident between Hogan and David Schultz as an example of a real confrontation that became public knowledge, suggesting a fight with a star like Piper would never have remained a secret. This story resurfaces just over a month after Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, passed away at 71 from a heart attack on July 24, 2025.
However, Meltzer did acknowledge one factual element within Clark’s account: the real-life tension between her father and Piper. “I know he nearly backed out of the match. That’s a well-known story,” he confirmed, referencing Mr. T’s documented hesitation before the event. Mr. T’s mainstream celebrity status from shows like The A-Team reportedly caused some friction with the established wrestlers.
While Meltzer was careful not to discredit Clark’s memory, he ultimately concluded the tale doesn’t align with any known facts.
I mean, she was in the room — I wasn’t in the room. I can’t say it didn’t happen. But I’ve never heard it. She might believe it… but it doesn’t hold up.