Hulk Hogan Files Lawsuit

Friday, August 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ATLANTA (AP) â€” Hulk Hogan has filed a defamation suit against the World Championship Wrestling, accusing the WCW's creative director of berating him on national television after a ring appearance.

According to the lawsuit, Hogan won the July 9 bout in Daytona Beach, Fla., by default when his opponent refused to wrestle, but the WCW's Vince Russo followed Hogan from the ring, accused him of ``playing politics'' and implied he is dishonest.

WCW spokesman Alan Sharp declined to comment.

Some have speculated that the lawsuit might be a publicity stunt, as part of a continuing story line in which the WCW has sought to eliminate older wrestlers such as Hogan as it tries to revive flagging ratings. Hogan has not appeared on WCW programs since the lawsuit was filed Aug. 1.

``This is a real lawsuit,'' said Hogan's attorney, John Taylor Jr. What Russo said ``was defamatory and a breach of contract.''