Hogan, 62, who is using his legal name of Terry Bollea in court, was cross-examined by Gawker attorneys a day after testifying to his humiliation over the 2012 video posting.
Gawker lawyers explored the distinction he draws between his remarks in character as Hogan and his true identity. He had explained earlier that he considers himself to have artistic liberty as an entertainer when appearing as Hogan.
He told Gawker lawyers that he had exaggerated about the number of women he slept with during a wild period following a divorce in an interview with the celebrity news outlet TMZ as rumors of the sex tape emerged.
"It was Hulk Hogan and I was just embellishing," he said, on the witness stand in a signature black bandana, a matching suit and an oversized cross necklace.
The Gawker video showed a consensual sexual encounter between Hogan and the wife of his then best friend, radio "shock jock" Bubba the Love Sponge. Attorneys for Gawker said the footage was provided to them but they did not know exactly where it came from.
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| Hulk Hogan in courtroom Monday |
Hogan, 62, said the publication of a one-minute, 41-second excerpt of a video of him having consensual sex with the wife of his then-best friend, radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge, roiled his personal and professional life.
"I was completely humiliated," he said, noting the embarrassment was personal and professional. "It was even embarrassing as my character. Hulk Hogan was embarrassed."
Going in court by his legal name, Terry Bollea, the wrestler wore a signature bandana with a black suit and a cross necklace. He called the Hogan character "completely opposite" to his true personality, which he described as soft-spoken and non-argumentative.
Lawyers for the longtime champion of World Wrestling Entertainment and reality TV star say he had a right to expect privacy in a private bedroom and the video was filmed without his knowledge.
Gawker's post was motivated by power and brand promotion, an attorney for the wrestler told jurors during opening statements. Gawker attorneys, however, questioned what the wrestler knew about cameras in his friend's house.
Gawker sees its 2012 post as protected speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and contends it was reporting on a celebrity who publicly discussed his sex life.
Gawker's founder, Nick Denton, sat in the front row on the first day of a civil trial in St. Petersburg, located in the county where Hogan lives, along with a former editor involved, A.J. Daulerio.
"Gawker believes this kind of reporting is important," an attorney for the company, Mike Berry told jurors, explaining that celebrity sex tapes are among the "uncomfortable" topics important to the outlet, known for gossip and media reporting.
A loss could put Gawker out of business, though the website will appeal an unfavourable verdict, another of its attorneys said.
The wrestler said the incident occurred at a low-point as his marriage was ending, in a home where he had let down his guard.
Both sides claimed success after the trial's opening. The wrestler's attorney highlighted his testimony about suffering, and Gawker pointed out the disparities in what he said in character as opposed to his true persona.
Hogan is expected to continue testifying on Tuesday.
(Editing by Bernadette Baum and Alan Crosby)
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