Hulk Hogan Rumbling With Post Over Cereal Ad
Michelle Ruiz/AOL News
(May 23) -- Hulk Hogan is ready to rumble with Post Cereal.
The wrestling legend, whose real name is Terry Bollea, has filed a federal lawsuit against the cereal giant, alleging the company uses -- and degrades -- his likeness in a wrestling-themed Cocoa Pebbles commercial, the Tampa Tribune reports.
The ad features a bulky, blonde mustachioed wrestler named Hulk Boulder going to mat and handily beating Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble -- but losing to Barney's brawny son, Bamm-Bamm.
In the lawsuit filed in federal court in Florida, Hogan claims Post uses his image without his permission and degrades him by showing him "humiliated and cracked into pieces with broken teeth, with the closing banner, 'Little Pieces...BIG TASTE!'"
Hogan said he used the name Hulk Boulder early in his career before changing it at the suggestion of wrestling promoter Vince McMahon.
According to the Tribune, Hogan voiced his objections to the ad with Post in August, but said the company continued airing "Cocoa Smashdown" ads, which Hogan claims have harmed him with "unauthorized and degrading depictions."
Hogan markets his own food products - the Hogan Energy drink and Hulkster Burgers, a line of microwaveable hamburgers, at Walmart.
Post has not commented publicly on the lawsuit.
Usually I dismiss these allegations of gimmick infringement by celebrities on principle. Like the Lindsay Lohan lawsuit against E-Trade for the milkaholic Lindsay in their commercials. That was just stupid. But I think Hulkster actually has a gripe here. Show that commercial to a panel of 10 John Q. Public's and nine of of 10 are going to say it reminded them of Hulk Hogan. And nine out of ten dentists would cringe about what Cocoa Pebbles does to teeth. I think Post should do the right thing and fork over some money. Hulk needs it. Between his divorce and TNA Wrestling going in the tank he'll need it. Plus I'm pretty damn sure he ain't selling any of those Hulkster Burgers.
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