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Associated Press

"I was completely humiliated": Hulk Hogan testifies at sex tape trial

“This man stood there naked, and exposed, to the world,” the wrestler’s lawyer told the court.

WRESTLING SUPERSTAR HULK Hogan was “humiliated” by a secretly recorded sex video posted online, he testified yesterday at a trial seeking $100 million in damages.

Hogan, 62, wearing his trademark black bandana and a massive silver cross, was filmed having consensual sex with the wife of a friend.

“I was completely humiliated,” Hogan, one of America’s most famous entertainment wrestlers, told the court.

The handlebar-mustached performer – whose real name is Terry Bollea – says his privacy was violated by the publication of the one-minute, 41-second encounter.

The sex video was posted by the online news and entertainment site Gawker, the defendant in the suit.

Hogan’s friend, radio personality Bubba “the Love Sponge” Clem, had an “open marriage” and wanted his wife to have sex with the wrestler, Hogan testified.

After several entreaties, Hogan said he finally agreed, not realising that the encounter was secretly recorded.

The trial is expected to last several weeks.

Reputation harmed

Hogan insists that the posting of the video harmed his personal and professional reputation. It was seen online some seven million times, his attorney said in court.

“This man stood there naked, and exposed, to the world,” said his lawyer, Shane Vogt.

This was a pornographic video that was secretly recorded without Mr. Bollea’s consent, and they knew it.

A lawyer for Gawker, Michael Berry, insisted however that the recording and posting of celebrity photos and video – even salacious ones – goes with the territory when one is a star.

“The public is fascinated with sex tapes. That’s the way it is today,” Berry said.

© AFP, 2016

Read: AC/DC cancels US tour dates as singer warns he faces “total hearing loss”

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    Mute Steve
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    Mar 8th 2016, 8:33 AM

    Looks like that gawker lawyer is saying it’s okay to violate someone’s privacy because theyre a celebrity.

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    Mute Freebetcitydcom Mike
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:32 AM

    “Whatcha gonna do, when the largest arms in the world wrestling federation, run wild on youuuuu!!”
    …..
    “Eh, tape it and sell the video.”

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    Mute Richard Cynical
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:39 AM

    considering a fox sports presenter just got 55 million for her claim I cant wait to see how this turns out.

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    Mute trashbaby
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    Mar 8th 2016, 10:31 AM

    When the iCloud leaks happened Gawker posted countless articles about how violating a persons privacy this way, even a celebrity who already shows a lot of their life to the world, should be a crime. Then they posted this video and said LOL BUT THIS VIDEO THOUGH.

    True journalistic integrity right there.

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    Mute Dave Nolan
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    Mar 8th 2016, 11:04 AM

    This is the same Gawker that outed a financial officer at one of their rivals and helped in blackmailing said financial officer.

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    Mute Adam Brennan
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    Mar 8th 2016, 8:35 AM

    I’m glad the Hulkster went with the formal black bandana to show respect to the court.

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    Mute Muiris O'Daltuin
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    Mar 8th 2016, 10:19 AM

    I fully expect him to rip his shirt clean off when the judge rules in his favour.

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    Mute Stephen Devlin
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    Mar 8th 2016, 8:26 AM

    1 minute 42 seconds? I’d be embarrassed too …

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    Mute Patrick J O Shea
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    Mar 8th 2016, 8:29 AM

    1 minute and 41 seconds, he’s spent longer on the ropes

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    Mute Dave
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    Mar 8th 2016, 8:59 AM

    Who needs enenies when you have friends called Bubba “the love sponge” clem!

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    Mute Aaron Kavanagh
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:18 AM

    I hope Hogan wins.

    Gawker is an awful website that does horrible things to people’s lives and careers.

    I’m just glad they stepped on somebody’s toes with enough power and money to do something about it.

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    Mute Lorem Ipsum
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:04 AM

    So this is “revenge porn” right? Why is it being treated in such a light-hearted way?

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:13 AM

    Disgusting double standards just because Hulk Hogan. I don’t care who you are, male or female, famous or not, consent is key. He didn’t consent to filming, let alone publication.

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    Mute Flip off
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    Mar 8th 2016, 1:07 PM

    Yeah but no one deserves 100 million in damages. For anything.

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Mar 8th 2016, 8:25 AM

    “We won’t tell anybody………..we’ll tell everybody”

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    Mute Philip Cavanagh
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    Mar 8th 2016, 8:39 AM

    “Yeah well it’s your own bloody fault for being a celebrity”
    #Bettercallsaul

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    Mute Brian Healy
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:10 AM

    1min 42sec??? Takes him longer to do that leg drop thing of his.

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    Mute I LOVE MY COUNTY
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    Mar 8th 2016, 8:25 AM

    Think you’ve missed the point here…….

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    Mute Aimee Kavanagh
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    Mar 8th 2016, 8:23 AM

    Am? Don’t sleep with your best friends wife then? ‘Permission’ or not!!

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    Mute Sam
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:07 AM

    They’re adults. They can do what they like as long as it’s consensual and everybody’s happy.
    On a side note, it’s not right that it’s being treated in such a light hearted way. Should that be a normal joe soap it would be different.

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:09 AM

    Victim blaming… Niiiiice. Hogan consented to sex not to filming.

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    Mute Jon Mackey
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    Mar 8th 2016, 10:28 AM

    I wonder did he rip his shirt off before the sex?

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    Mute Flip off
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    Mar 8th 2016, 12:55 PM

    Victim blaming. YAWN.

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    Mute Kevin Blanche
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    Mar 8th 2016, 8:56 AM

    ” Hogans friend Bubba the love sponge Clem wanted Hogan to have sex with his wife.”

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    Mute hightower69r
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:03 AM

    Whatcha gonna don when the Hulkster goes wild on you!??!

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    Mute hightower69r
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:03 AM

    *do

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    Mute John Moylan
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    Mar 8th 2016, 8:36 AM

    Who recorded it ???

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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Mar 8th 2016, 8:55 AM

    Was his lady friend in on the scam ?

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    Mute Daniel Murray
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    Mar 8th 2016, 10:57 AM

    Yes

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    Mute Tricia Golden
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    Mar 8th 2016, 11:23 AM

    Gawker haven’t a leg to stand on.

    A clearly private moment, no consent. Posting that tape is NO different to posting pics stolen from people or posting pics of people that have NOT CONSENTED to those images being revealed.

    So unless there can be some fecked up “free speech” issue that Gawker can invoke they will, and deserve to, lose!

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    Mute Jax Maxwel
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:25 AM

    Hulk bursts into the room rips his tshirt open, flexes, points and shouts ‘what you going to do brother when hulkamania runs wild on you?!!?’ Powerbombs herself onto the bed, runs off and comes back for the atomic leg drop before finishing her off. Husband was ringside for moral support.

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    Mute Niall O Neill
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:09 AM

    Being filmed naked is a growth industry. Erin Andrews only got $55 million.

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    Mute Daniel Murray
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    Mar 8th 2016, 10:58 AM

    I don’t know who that is but I’m sure google will tell me

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    Mute Niall O Neill
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    Mar 8th 2016, 11:08 AM

    Try today’s Indo on line.

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    Mute Live Long
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    Mar 8th 2016, 9:05 AM

    Bubba “the Love Sponge” Clem

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    Mute Daniel Murray
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    Mar 8th 2016, 10:56 AM

    In his defence the 1min 41secs was the short edit for the website, not the actual lenght of the video.

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Mar 8th 2016, 10:59 PM

    Some friend???

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