Hulk Hogan on Christmas Mishap with Wayne Gretzky

“I remember thinking, ‘What? Come on, you’re Wayne Gretzky!’ I was so honored.”

Who could have imagined that Hulk Hogan and Wayne Gretzky would have shared a Christmas memory?

Or, depending on one’s perspective, a Christmas miracle.

“It was a lot better for Gretzky,” said a joking Hogan. “He had the more expensive gifts.”

Wayne Gretzky and Hulk Hogan, two of the best ever at their craft

The mishap occurred decades ago right before Christmas–both Gretzky and Hogan recall it happening on Christmas Eve–when both were living just outside Los Angeles in Thousand Oaks. As the two masters of their craft scrambled to do some last-minute Christmas shopping, the valet mixed up the nearly identical cars of Gretzky and Hogan.

That spiraled a chain of events, causing Hogan to drive home with Gretzky’s car–and presents–while Gretzky did the same behind Hogan’s steering wheel.

On a recent episode of This Past Weekend with Theo Von, Gretzky shared how he and Hulk Hogan once accidentally wound up with each other’s Christmas gifts–and cars.

Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Hogan shared his memories of that memorable moment.

“I didn’t want to give the car back,” said Hogan, still smiling at the improbability of it. “He had all the expensive stuff in his trunk, I had toys in mine. I thought the presents might save my first marriage, but I had to give the car back.”

As Hogan laughed over the mix-up, he noted that hockey was not a passion of his while growing up. Yet Gretzky possessed the ability to turn people into lifelong fans. That is exactly what happened here, as “The Great One” converted Hogan into a hockey fan.

“Gretzky is the greatest to ever play the game,” said Hogan. “I was a huge fan. He’s a legend. No one could do what he did.”

Throughout the years, as Hogan’s World Wrestling Federation schedule grew so intense, he would occasionally find himself in a venue where Gretzky had just played–or was headed to for his next game.

“There were a couple times we ran into each other, too,” said Hogan. “We were either in New York or Philadelphia, and we shook hands and met. Gretzky asked me to sign one of his hockey sticks. I remember thinking, ‘What? Come on, you’re Wayne Gretzky!’ I was so honored.”

As a child, Hogan’s son Nick played youth hockey–and, like the rest of his teammates, was in awe of Gretzky. Hogan still fondly recalls the time when his son learned first-hand about his friendship with Gretzky.

“Nick was playing hockey, and I used to have to put his skates on when he was sleeping because the young kids always had the early ice time,” said Hogan. “I remember telling my son I knew Wayne Gretzky, but he wouldn’t believe me.

“When Gretzky came in for a game, we went to see him play. The moment he saw me, Gretzky gave me a hug. My son couldn’t believe it. He didn’t care that I was Hulk Hogan, he only cared that I knew Wayne Gretzky. I can still see the look on my son’s face. It was a really cool moment.”