WWE Vault Update: Four New Episodes of Hulk Hogan's Rock 'N' Wrestling Dropped Today
WWE Vault continues its nostalgia-fueled rollout of Hulk Hogan’s Rock ’n’ Wrestling with four more episodes dropping this morning, giving fans of the 1980s animated series another chance to relive one of the most unique experiments in wrestling entertainment history.
The original cartoon ran on CBS Saturday mornings from September 14, 1985, through October 1986, with reruns continuing into 1987. Produced by DiC Enterprises in partnership with the then-WWF, the series mixed over-the-top cartoon adventures with live-action segments featuring real WWF stars. Each Saturday, WWE Vault is releasing four episodes at 6 AM, 8 AM, 10 AM, and 12 PM EST, allowing fans to binge through Hogan’s animated world in bite-sized blocks.
Spotlight: “Captain Lou’s Crash Diet”
One of today’s featured episodes is among the most talked-about installments of the series: Captain Lou’s Crash Diet.
- The Setup: Captain Lou Albano is told he must lose 40 pounds in just 10 days or risk being kicked out of wrestling.
- The Comedy: Hulk Hogan, André the Giant, and Junkyard Dog rally to help him “train,” leading to slapstick hijinks rather than any serious look at dieting.
- The Sub-Plot: The episode also features a “Muscle Madness” contest between Wendi Richter and The Fabulous Moolah. Piper and his crew try to cheat in Moolah’s favor, forcing Hogan’s squad to step in and even the odds.
While the weight-loss angle would certainly raise eyebrows today, the episode leans heavily on exaggerated cartoon humor rather than genuine advice — a reminder of how different the mid-1980s media landscape was.
Why It Matters
The series remains a cult favorite thanks to its mix of big-name voice actors (Brad Garrett as Hulk Hogan, James Avery as Junkyard Dog, Charlie Adler as Roddy Piper, and Ron Feinberg as André the Giant) and its place in wrestling pop culture history.
By re-releasing the show weekly, WWE Vault is giving a new generation of fans the chance to experience the cartoon era while offering longtime viewers a trip down memory lane.
Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
For all its flaws, Hulk Hogan’s Rock ’n’ Wrestling represents a fascinating time when WWE was reaching far beyond the ring to expand into mainstream entertainment. The fact that WWE Vault is pushing this with weekly drops shows they know nostalgia sells, especially when it comes to a character-driven cartoon that merged kayfabe with Saturday morning culture. The “Crash Diet” episode might feel tone-deaf in today’s world, but it also highlights how wrestling has always walked the line between comedy, controversy, and spectacle.
Watch Now
A full episode of Captain Lou’s Crash Diet — along with 15 other installments of Hulk Hogan’s Rock ’n’ Wrestling — is currently available on WWE’s official YouTube channel.
