By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

A story going around this week is Hulk Hogan filing a lawsuit against Post Cereal claiming the company "used and degraded" his likeness in a TV commercial without seeking permission.

Hogan referenced a spot for Cocoa Pebbles cereal where a wrestler with his signature blonde hair and fu-manchu moustache was "smacked down" by The Flintstones cartoon characters, who are the main "spokespersons" for the cereal.

Hogan filed a federal lawsuit in Florida, claiming the spot is "degrading" and shows him "humiliated and cracked into pieces with broken teeth, with the closing banner, 'Little Pieces...BIG TASTE!'"

Hogan is seeking damages related to the commercial potentially affecting his own food-related product lines or his future business in the marketplace.

Caldwell's Analysis: The story has been making the rounds among publications and news outlets on the Internet this week. It's such an absurd story, though, that it's only become newsworthy because it's been picked up by so many outlets. The suit defines "frivolous lawsuit" and appears to be Hogan's latest cry that he's been wronged by everyone in the world. It's a desperate cry for attention, as no one in their right mind could possibly believe a cereal commercial aimed at kids is going to affect Hogan's product lines. That's ridiculous. The commercial is in the video below.

Keller's Analysis: I'll add my analysis here since I disagree strongly with James. I think Hogan's got a strong case since his likeness is clearly being utilized in the commercial and I don't think legally they have the right to include a cartoon image of Hogan in their ad without paying him, whether or not he has his own cereal line (but especially if he has his own cereal or line of foods.

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