Hulk Hogan admits to being 'overwhelmed' by the court's decision

Los Angeles - Hulk Hogan was "overwhelmed" to be handed a $140m pay out after his sex tape was posted online.

The 62-year-old professional wrestler received $115m in a civil case against Gawker and a further $25m in punitive damages from the website after they published footage of the star having sex with his then-friend's wife Heather Clem.

Of the ruling, he said: "I tried to not snort again, just ... water just came pouring out of my eyes. I just started shaking. I couldn't hear anything except the judge going, 'Yes' to that or 'Yes' to this or 'Yes' for damages. I don't remember what they said.

"But it was just so overwhelming when I knew that we had won and people believed me. It was just - gosh, it was a moment. It was a moment."

And Hulk - whose real name is Terry Bollea - spoke of the tumultuous journey to success in the courtroom.

He told Good Morning America: "Gawker was hoping that, financially, I wouldn't be able to stay in the game with them, and I'd quit or tap out or something. I felt like I had this monster on my shoulders no matter where I went."