A well-known fitness influencer and bodybuilder faced backlash on social media after attempting to pay tribute to the late WWE legend Hulk Hogan, who recently passed away. Joey Swoll, the 42-year-old self-proclaimed “gym aggressiveness CEO,” announced on Monday that he would be stepping away from social media following his controversial post, where he dressed up as Hogan and claimed it was a homage from the wrestling icon himself.
Swoll addressed his 8 million followers in a video recorded from his car, expressing regret for the tribute. During his time at Gold’s Gym in Venice, California, he wore a costume reminiscent of Hogan while training.
Hogan, born Terry Borea, died on July 24 at the age of 71 after battling serious health issues in Clearwater, Florida. Swoll is known for creating content that promotes a positive gym culture and holds individuals accountable for their behavior in fitness spaces.
Despite his good intentions, Swoll received criticism from followers after the livestream in which he reflected on his tribute. He noted that if he didn’t adhere to the standards he set for himself, he’d be a hypocrite, stating, “I have only love and kindness in my heart. I will continue to try to make the world a better place.”
In a subsequent update on Tuesday, he claimed that “it’s over” and expressed his frustration that people seemed eager to find reasons to criticize him. He explained the difficulty of navigating public perception, admitting that, instead of listening to the feedback, he had defensively celebrated Hogan’s legacy, considering the admiration many held for him during their childhoods.
Swoll previously shared a similar tribute in October 2020, using Hogan’s “Real American” theme song in a video. However, he later did additional research and acknowledged the controversial aspects of Hogan’s past, including a scandal that led to his departure from WWE over racist comments made in a resurfaced video.
Hogan’s career also faced scrutiny due to a steroid admission and a notorious sex tape incident that culminated in a lawsuit against Gawker, which he eventually won, settling for $31 million. Following the backlash, Swoll removed all posts related to Hogan and issued an apology, particularly to those offended by his tribute.
Additionally, Swoll faced criticism for using outdated language during a livestream, but he promptly acknowledged the mistake and assured followers he would avoid using it in the future.
