Looks like Mayor Rob Ford said his prayers and took his vitamins.
In what was touted as a “friendly” but “epic” contest, pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan’s “24-inch pythons” were no match for the mayor when the titans of fake sports and Toronto politics squared off in an arm-wrestling match Friday.
The mayor "defeated" Hogan, one of his childhood heroes, as Ford Nation and Hulkamania collided in a publicity stunt for Fan Expo Canada.
“He’s a bear. It’s like wrestling a friggin’ grizzly bear,” Ford told reporters after his victory.
“I think he taught me a lesson," Hogan said.
Before the staged match got underway, Ford entered to Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" and ripped off his suit jacket as he and Hogan stared each other down inside a conference room at the Intercontinental Hotel.
Once they got seated and locked their left hands, the trash talk was fast and furious, with Hogan launching the first salvo amid a stalemate.
Hogan, wearing a shirt that exposed his muscular arms, taunted the mayor, who was dressed in business attire with his collared shirt untucked and sleeves rolled up, as both struggled for an advantage.
“Oh, big man. Oh, that’s all you’ve got, huh?” Hogan said.
The 60-year-old wrestler-actor then threatened Ford’s seat at city hall, as the 44-year-old mayor grabbed onto the table for leverage.
“Not only am I gonna rip this arm off, I’m gonna take your job while I’m at it,” Hogan shouted. “They’re gonna call me Mayor Hogan.”
That’s when Ford flexed his muscles and showed the Hulkster, a 12-time pro wrestling champion, who's boss.
“I own this town, man,” Ford screamed as he slammed Hogan’s fist onto the table, making sure there wouldn't be a new world order at city hall.
The victorious mayor, an admitted lefty, then jumped out of his seat and threw his arms into the air in front of a crowd of reporters.
The act continued as a defeated Hogan summed up the competition perfectly: “That was a set up.”
Humble in defeat, Hogan then raised Ford's arm for the cameras in a scene that mirrored the aftermath of the wrestler's epic championship title loss to The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI at Toronto's SkyDome in 1990.
“Number one Hulkamaniac right here, guys,” Hogan said.
Later, Ford told reporters he participated in the stunt because Fan Expo Canada brings important tourist dollars to the city.
“This is why I became mayor, to encourage people to come to our city,” Ford said.
It appears Ford’s victory sent ripples through the world of sports entertainment.
Shortly after the contest, long-time foe The Iron Sheik ridiculed and challenged Hogan in his usual rambling style on Twitter.
“Hulk Hogan lose again to anyone in arm wrestler he embarrass himself i find him i break his arm no problem,” The Iron Sheik tweeted.
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