Vince McMahon, former WWE chairman, publicly defended his 2018 decision to reinstate Hulk Hogan into WWE despite Hogan’s past racist remarks, asserting the wrestling icon was not inherently racist but had made ‘unforgivable’ mistakes. This defense, aired in TMZ’s documentary ‘The Real Hulk Hogan,’ reignites debate about Hogan’s legacy amid ongoing cultural reassessments of public figures.
**Who**
The central figures are Hulk Hogan (born Terry Bollea), a WWE Hall of Famer who died in July 2025 at age 71, and Vince McMahon, his longtime collaborator and former WWE chairman. Supporting voices include Hogan’s friend Jimmy Hart (who echoed McMahon’s defense) and critic Mark Henry, a retired WWE wrestler who argued Hogan’s apologies were insufficient. TMZ produced the documentary driving this reappraisal.
**What**
McMahon broke his silence about Hogan’s 2015 firing—triggered by leaked recordings of Hogan using racial slurs—in TMZ’s documentary ‘The Real Hulk Hogan.’ He acknowledged the comments were ‘unforgivable’ but insisted Hogan ‘wasn’t a racist,’ framing the remarks as isolated mistakes. This countered WWE’s initial severing of ties, which included removing Hogan from its Hall of Fame. The documentary also featured McMahon’s frustration that Hogan was booed during his final WWE appearance.
**When**
The controversy originates from a 2007 sex tape and 2008 prison phone call where Hogan used racist language, leaked publicly in 2015. McMahon reinstated Hogan in 2018 after a three-year exile. The current resurgence stems from TMZ’s documentary airing August 12, 2025, and McMahon’s interview released August 13—both within 24 hours of verification. Hogan’s July 2025 death amplified attention.
**Where**
Events span WWE’s corporate decisions (based in Connecticut), TMZ’s documentary production (Los Angeles), and Hogan’s personal life in Florida. Public reactions unfolded globally across sports media and social platforms, reflecting wrestling’s international fanbase.
**Why**
McMahon’s defense hinges on personal history: ‘I’d been with him for years… he wasn’t a racist.’ He argued Hogan ‘paid for’ his actions through public shaming and temporary exile. Conversely, critics like Mark Henry cited inadequate reparations, suggesting Hogan should have engaged directly with Black communities. The documentary’s timing—weeks after Hogan’s death—aims to reframe his legacy amid persistent cultural debates about accountability.
**How**
The 2015 leaks revealed Hogan using the N-word and stating, ‘We’re all a little racist.’ WWE responded swiftly by cutting ties. McMahon’s 2018 reversal faced backlash, which he addressed in the TMZ interview by separating Hogan’s character (‘Terry Bollea’) from his persona. Henry proposed Hogan visit historically Black colleges for dialogue, but Hogan reportedly declined, citing legal advice to avoid the topic.
**Impact**
Hogan’s legacy remains polarized: supporters emphasize his wrestling influence (1980s ‘Hulkamania’ craze) and philanthropy, while critics note the harm of his remarks. McMahon’s comments—delivered amid his own 2024 resignation over sexual misconduct allegations—highlight hypocrisy debates in sports leadership. Culturally, it underscores tensions between redemption narratives and systemic racism critiques in entertainment.
**What’s Next**
WWE faces pressure to address McMahon’s statements in future Hogan tributes, while TMZ’s documentary may spur similar reappraisals of controversial sports figures. Hogan’s estate could confront renewed calls to donate to racial justice causes. Long-term, this reflects broader societal struggles to reconcile public figures’ achievements with harmful behavior.