Dolly Parton “Married” Hulk Hogan — And It Was Glorious Chaos

Back in 1987, Dolly Parton delivered one of TV’s most bizarrely delightful moments: a staged “wedding” to wrestling icon Hulk Hogan — live, in the middle of a wrestling ring.

It happened on the debut episode of Dolly, her short-lived variety show. The spectacle began with Dolly singing a cheeky country tune called “Headlock on My Heart”, a playful nod to tabloid rumors. Then, out came Hogan — dressed as his wrestling alter ego “Starlight Starbright” — who bodyslammed an opponent and swept Dolly into a mock wedding ceremony, complete with rhinestones, roaring fans, and zero vows.

The whole thing was Dolly’s idea, and even Hogan admitted he was caught off guard but totally charmed. It wasn’t satire — it was celebration. She embraced wrestling’s absurdity with heart and glitter, and fans ate it up.

Decades later, the image of Dolly in a wedding dress next to a flexing Hogan still resurfaces — a perfect reminder of when TV dared to be wild, weird, and wonderful.