No Holds Barred is a 1989 action film directed by Thomas J. Wright and starring wrestler Hulk Hogan as Rip Thomas, the World Wrestling Federation champion. Rip is famous for being a loyal champion who always puts on a good show for his fans, but things change when Brell (played by Kurt Fuller), the new head of the World Television Network, offers Rip a huge sum of money to wrestle for his network as part of his plan to dominate the TV ratings.
Rip initially declines Brell's offer, as he dislikes Brell's arrogant and ruthless personality, but Brell doesn't take no for an answer. He hires a group of thugs to attack Rip and his brother Randy (played by Hogan's real-life brother, Ed Leslie) and tries to blackmail Rip into wrestling for his network. Brell also brings in a rival wrestler named Zeus (played by Tom Lister Jr.), a massive and brutal fighter who has never been defeated and whom Brell hopes will crush Rip in the ring.
As the rivalry between Rip and Brell intensifies, Rip decides to fight back and protect his reputation as a good wrestler and a decent human being. He forms an alliance with a lovely executive named Samantha (played by Joan Severance), who works for Brell but secretly sympathizes with Rip's cause. Together, they plan to expose Brell's corruption and restore Rip's dignity as a champion.
No Holds Barred features plenty of action-packed wrestling scenes, as well as some humor and drama. The film was Hogan's first starring role and was produced by Vince McMahon, the owner of the World Wrestling Federation. Despite mixed reviews, the movie became a cult classic among wrestling fans and helped to cement Hogan's status as one of the most popular and recognizable wrestlers of all time.