Hulk Hogan was apparently left battered and bruised after a bloody brawl with rival Ric Flair at a media conference in Sydney today.

The event, to promote a wrestling tour later this month, veered violently out of control when Hogan and Flair let their animosity break into what appeared to be a full-scale brawl.

Media were shocked when Hogan began bleeding profusely from the head and was unable to get to his feet.

Flair used his belt to whip anyone within range.

The Daily Telegraph reports one photographer had their equipment broken when Flair threw a table off the stage and into the press.

It was a dramatic twist, as the event had started well with the professional wrestlers discussing their careers.

Pro-wrestling has a long history of orchestrating rivalries between crowd favourites and villains.

Bouts are often staged with the outcome preordained.

This track record has led to speculation that today's events are nothing more than a promotional event.

- ABC/AAP