Top 10 Savage Joe Rogan Moments

“Joe Rogan: Live From The Belly Of The Beast” (2001)
Kicking off this list is a deeply cutting attack on a somewhat unusual target. During Joe Rogan’s early days of filmed comedy specials, the comedian quickly gained a reputation of no-nonsense and outspoken savagery. Right off the bat of his 2001 show, Rogan fires a series of shots at “old guys who can’t be trusted” before setting his sights on the Playboy creator: Hugh Hefner. He didn’t just stop at the then-septuagenarian either. Rogan also takes savage shots at the various Playboy bunnies that formed Hefner’s entourage. Despite referring to him as a dork, Rogan never got to meet Hefner either time he visited the Playboy mansion, and raised a glass to him when he passed.

“Triggered” (2016)
Rogan’s 2016 stand-up special featured a number of savage moments, including some hilarious shots at Scientology … But we had to give this entry to a more unusual target: YouTube trolls! Describing them as “monsters”, he highlights the ridiculously over-the-top hostility of vocal haters in the Comments section. As we all know, online, people tend to say things that in real life, they would probably tone down, or just keep to themselves. But with the benefit of anonymity in the comments section, all bets are off! The picture Rogan paints of them is certainly vivid … and pungent. You can almost smell them!

Various
It’s probably not a good idea to heckle any comedian. But it’s just asking for trouble to heckle a known savage such as Joe Rogan. The thing is, the podcaster is known for being quick with the comebacks. Plus, he’s a black-belt in Jiu-Jitsu too. There’s been footage of various times when foolhardy audience members have attempted to take a comedic pot-shot at Rogan. But the dialogue he had with an intoxicated woman at an untelevised gig led to a legendary exchange. After intentionally handing her the mic, which is usually a big mistake for a comedian to do, Rogan decimates the poor lady. One of the most memorable clapbacks comes when she asks how he got a girlfriend...

“UFC 99: The Comeback” (2009)
Sometimes the best moments of savagery come without words. MMA enthusiast Rogan graduated from post-match and ringside interviews to become a commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championships. One of these octagon-side segments featured a really subtle but savage moment from Joe. While giving his take on camera, someone tries to walk through and thus block him in the shot. Without flinching, Rogan pretty much swats the person away with his left hand like with a fly. With no words of apology, cursory glance or even an etch of effort on his face, the complete lack of recognition for this hapless interview bomber is savage.

“UFC 109: Relentless” (2010)
After a few years of on-air interviewing, Joe Rogan made it to the booth to provide play-by-play commentary for the action in the octagon. Rogan’s passionate style and unique voice added a totally new dynamic to the combat sport, and made him a household name internationally. For a sample of his finest work, you don’t need to see a Ronda Rousey or Brock Lesnar bout. Just tune in to his commentary on an Ice Spill before Torres vs Guillard. It’s hard to tell who gets the worst of his savage attacks here. Is it the situation itself, icy conditions, or the people scrambling - and failing - to clear it up? All we know is that it’s savage.

“UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter 5: Team Pulver vs.Team Penn Finale” (2007)
Sometimes being a professional savage means that the more serious moments are taken as jibes. One obvious example of this was during the finish to the Grey Maynard v Rob Emerson bout at “The Ultimate Fighter 5” finale event. After a slam that appeared to render both men unable to compete, the match was ruled a ‘no contest.’ It’s controversial, but Rogan called it as he saw it both on play-by-play and while interviewing Maynard. Although he pleads his case, Rogan won’t back down–repeatedly telling Maynard to “look at the replay.” It’s the cold, decisiveness of the interview that earns the place on this list—showing that when Rogan bites down, the jaws lock.

“The Joe Rogan Experience” (2009-)
Fans of the “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast will be familiar with recurring guests Brendan Schaub and Bryan Callen. Both men are known for “The Fighter and The Kid,” podcast, with Schaub being a former MMA fighter (which we’ll get to later) and Callen, although no longer a host but still appearing frequently as a guest, is a comedian best known as Coach Mellor of “The Goldbergs.” The latter has a habit of making a few less than legit claims and brags. This is something that Rogan and Schaub call Callen out on, with the host stating that he blames the people Bryan hangs around with. The host is blunt and spells out in no uncertain terms that Callen just isn’t the big dude he thinks he is…

“Fear Factor” (2001-12)
Did we mention that Joe Rogan is a black belt level martial artist? He may not be the biggest dog in the fight, but only a fool would try to find out how big the fight is in the dog. On a couples special of “Fear Factor,” that fool emerged. Upon losing a challenge, one contestant lashed out at another, prompting Rogan to yell that they can’t hurt each other. The husband gets into Rogan’s face: which we’re pretty such is an official symptom of stupidity. As Rogan looks like he’s about to put Jonathan in a hangman choke, fellow contestant Mike Mizanin jumps in, scared of what the host would do to the contestant.

“The Fighter and the Kid” (2013-)
Brendan Schaub’s second appearance on this list is also as a target for Rogan’s savage and no-nonsense approach to many things in life. And again, savagery isn’t necessarily always used for comedy, as this particular event shows. Despite recording in his JRE studio, Rogan was a guest on “The Fighter and The Kid” podcast days after Schaub’s K.O. loss to Travis Browne. It was during this that Rogan coolly told his friend that he needed to stop fighting before it was too late. Schaub can only listen as Rogan tears into him. However, sometimes, to be kind you have to be cruel, and as Schaub announced his retirement from MMA weeks later, he credits Rogan with helping him change careers before it was too late.

“The Comedy Store” (2007)
Joe Rogan can’t stand joke stealing. So, when he noticed that fellow LA Comedy Store regular Carlos Mencia seemed to be allegedly plagiarizing other comics’ material, Rogan started calling him Carlos Menstealia during his M.C. duties. It was harmless until Mencia called him out on-stage which, of course, was a bad idea. Rogan complied, and the two had a loud argument in front of a live audience - and Rogan’s camera crew. While Joe was temporarily banned, his popularity and worth grew, while Mencia’s… not so much. Savage rating? Annihilation.