Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling (2008)
Synopsis
Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling was an American reality television program, which ran for eight episodes on CMT in 2008. The first episode aired on October 18, 2008. In Australia, the show premiered in July 2009 on the FOX8 channel. It was also shown in the UK on Bravo and Viva. The show was co-produced by Hulk Hogan and Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment. The show featured celebrities being trained to become professional wrestlers. The finale aired on December 6, 2008, where Dennis Rodman was declared the winner of the competition.
Network
CMT
Episodes
Episodes
Down to the Basics
The competitors learn three of the basic skills of becoming a wrestler including: the clothesline, the forearm smash and kicking to the mid-section; later they must use those three moves in matches against their own teammates. Tiffany and Danny Bonaduche, managed by Todd Bridges, face Butterbean and Trischelle Cannatella then Frank Stallone and Dustin Diamond, managed by Nikki Ziering, face Erin Murphy and Dennis Rodman.
Talkin' Trash
Erin Murphy begins rubbing Team Beefcake the wrong way; the contestants jump from a high platform onto a stuntman's airbag; the celebrities learn three more basic moves: headlock takedown, the school boy and a shoulder tackle; Dennis Rodman suffers an injury during Team Nasty's training session. Trischelle Cannatella and Danny Bonaduce face Todd Bridges and Butterbean then Erin Murphy and Dustin Diamond face Nikki Ziering and Frank Stallone, managed by Dennis Rodman.
Pick Your Gimmick
Following disappointing matches, the contestants take their focus off of wrestling, to find a gimmick that works for them and to help them connect with the live crowds; the celebrities learn three more basic moves: the tie up, working the arm and how to run the ropes; Hulk Hogan sits in on both of the teams training sessions and singles out Dustin Diamond and Danny Bonaduce; later Nikki Ziering and Dustin Diamond face Erin Murphy and Dennis Rodman then Todd Bridges and Butterbean face Trishelle Cannatella and Danny Bonaduce.
Work the Crowd
The celebrities learn the unteachable ability of cutting a promo and then learn three more wrestling moves: the hip toss, taking the turnbuckle and an elbow smash; Team Nasty begins to question the dedication of Nikki Ziering, which leads to a sit down with Hulk Hogan; Team Beefcake worries that Danny Bonaduce's injury, may lead to one of them being eliminated. Butterbean and Trishelle Cannatella face Todd Bridges and Danny Bonaduce then Nikki Ziering and Dustin Diamond face Dennis Rodman.
Train With the Pros
Both Team Nasty and Team Beefcake are combined to make up Team Hulk; the celebrities learn two moves to help them for the battle royal match, including: being tossed over the top rope, the duck and boost, and former WWE Champion Rob Van Dam helps the celebrities to come up with a unique finishing move; Danny Bonaduce is injured during the training session and rushed to the hospital. The remaining contestants compete in an battle royal.
In-Ring Psychology
The celebrities take a trip to a junk yard, to find a weapon to use in their first hardcore match; Danny Bonaduce returns to contest his elimination from the show, which angers Dustin Diamond; the celebrities learn how to hit someone in the back with a chair, hit in the head with a trash can and hit in the stomach with a chair; former WCW Champion Bill Goldberg singles out Danny Bonaduce during the training session. Todd Bridges and Butterbean face Trishelle Cannatella and Dennis Rodman in a hardcore match then Dustin Diamond faces Danny Bonaduce in a Falls Count Anywhere match.
Recap All Skills
Hulk Hogan teaches the celebrities how to bodyslam; the coaches begin to work the contestants into shape for their next match.
Finale
In week eight, there are four remaining contestants and a winner must be crowned.
Cast
Details
Original Title
Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling
Status
Ended
Seasons
1
Episodes
8