Hulk Hogan has passed away. Now, we can expect WWE to showcase the highlights of his career while conveniently sidestepping his more problematic traits—namely, his greed and questionable moral character. This is the same man who ascended to fame atop a pile of broken bones, transforming from a charismatic performer to a rather grotesque figure, marked by steroid use and a flashy persona.
The positives of Hogan’s legacy are few. He certainly generated a substantial amount of revenue for both himself and the organization. In many ways, he saved Vince McMahon from inflicting even more damage on the wrestling scene. This is likely why we hear, “Let’s not speak ill of the deceased.” It seems they prefer to portray Hogan solely as a childhood hero, rather than acknowledging the monster he sometimes was.
Hulk Hogan the Wrestler
There was a time when Hogan was an impressive and fascinating wrestler. Watching his performances from the late ’70s and his early stints in New Japan starting in 1980 really shows his talent. His tag team efforts with Antonio Inoki are iconic, and he was one of the first notable influences in Japanese wrestling. Hogan’s ability to adapt to this different style was quite remarkable, especially compared to what was popular in the U.S.
Before he became a star in the WWF, Hogan was already wrestling. Under McMahon’s influence, he embraced greed wholeheartedly. Hogan was somewhat of an extension of McMahon’s ruthless strategies, viewing his fellow wrestlers not as colleagues but as mere pawns.
Hulk Hogan Egoist
To Hogan, people were simply expendable means to his end. A prime example of this is his relationship with Jesse Ventura. Ventura considered Hogan a close friend, but in 1994 he realized how deeply he had been betrayed. Hogan disclosed Ventura’s attempts to unionize the WWF locker room to McMahon. Ventura aimed to use the wrestlers’ names for an ad campaign focused on better working conditions and fair pay.
What did Hogan gain from this betrayal? Some favor, perhaps. While Hogan already had notoriety from headlining WrestleMania I and II, his actions ensured that the underpaid wrestlers had no chance of improving conditions. This solidified Hogan’s place alongside McMahon, who had everything in his favor, while ensuring that anyone who dared to speak out against the status quo faced ruin.
It’s worth pondering if Hogan played a role in the untimely deaths of some wrestlers. If there had been a union established in 1984, would the working conditions have been fairer? Would athletes have turned to painkillers and other substances to cope with unbearable schedules? Could better healthcare have detected Chris Benoit’s traumatic brain injury in time? We may never know, but a union certainly would have benefited wrestlers more than it would have harmed them.
McMahon may have instilled greed in Hogan, but Hogan took it to unprecedented levels. His fame and wealth distorted his judgment to the point that even McMahon struggled to rein in the monster he had helped create. This eventually led to Hogan’s exile in WCW in 1994, where his desires not only harmed fellow wrestlers but also began to sink the company.
Hulk Hogan, mentor and company destroyer
There are numerous reasons tracing the downfall of WCW. A whole book could be written on it, yet a recurring issue was Hogan’s refusal to step aside. When the company needed to innovate, Hogan became a block. Star power was crucial for WCW to compete with WWF, and Hogan was the biggest name in the sport. Despite lacking creative collaboration, the company granted total creative control as a part of his enormous contract. This was a recipe for disaster.
Hogan didn’t just call the shots for himself; he also championed greed among his peers. He led the NWO group with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, making decisions that ultimately contributed to WCW’s demise by stifling the natural progression of the storyline.
This became glaringly obvious in 1999 with the infamous “Finger of Fate Poke,” where Hogan regained the WCW title in a scripted outcome that showcased their disdain for fans who were wise to the charade.
By the time Hogan exited WCW in 2000, the company was already on life support. WWF kept pushing advancements, nurturing fresh talent, and ushering in the next wave of superstars like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock. It was a total turnaround.
Racist Hulk Hogan
Racist behavior doesn’t just manifest without context. Hogan’s racially charged moments flared up in 2015, when a video surfaced exposing him for who he really was. This revelation came as he attempted to position himself as supportive of WWE’s diverse talent, even while he made disparaging comments about black athletes.
Hogan’s disdain for black individuals came through starkly, revealing a deeply ingrained perspective about race.
Hulk Hogan wasn’t just racist; he had a very particular kind of racism. After his son nearly caused a friend’s death in an accident, Hogan’s main concern purportedly was the karma he feared could result in his family being reincarnated as black people.
When Hogan returned to WWE after his racial controversies, many talents in the company were pressured to publicly praise him as “not racist.” Meanwhile, skepticism about his sincerity lingered, especially among those who felt his genuine remorse was questionable. Others who openly doubted him often found their positions compromised.
Hulk Hogan the Cheater and Abuser
It’s rare to find professional wrestlers from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s who managed to maintain long-term, monogamous relationships. However, being unfaithful and physically abusive towards one’s spouse is altogether another matter.
In 2007, Hogan acknowledged having an affair with his daughter’s best friend, which led to his divorce from Linda Claridge. She later exposed his history of abuse, claiming he frequently erupted in anger over trivial matters, even resorting to violence. Linda likened herself to Nicole Brown Simpson, stating she hesitated to speak out due to fears for her life.
Hogan never outright denied these allegations but dismissed Linda’s accusations as irrelevant and bitter.
Hulk Hogan, a Tool
In 2012, an unusual partnership emerged between Hogan and Peter Thiel.
Thiel, who funded Hogan’s legal battles, sought to dismantle a company he sought revenge against. Hogan pressed for significant damages, eventually targeting the entire business entity. After delay in federal courts, Hogan and Thiel coordinated to file in Florida, taking advantage of a more favorable judicial environment.
Ultimately, Hogan was awarded $115 million, obliterating Gawker and satisfying Thiel’s vendetta.
Hulk Hogan the Grifter
In a last-ditch effort for relevance, Hogan made a political pivot in 2024, aligning himself with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.
It’s unclear whether his support was sincere, born out of genuine interest in the election, or just a marketing gimmick to boost his ‘real American’ brand.
I Disdain Hulk Hogan
When WWE Raw debuted on Netflix this year, the company sought a big moment. Hogan, attempting to evoke nostalgia in his “real American” shirt, faced a jeering audience who waved flags but booed in response to his presence.
Despite Hogan’s efforts to gain a warm reception by praising the WWE, he found it met with indifference. He aimed to resurrect his legacy but failed in that regard.
For Hogan, the moment was telling, as audiences clearly recognized him for who he has been: a flawed, often egocentric figure, whose existence seemed to make the world a bit worse.
