Few names in professional wrestling carry the weight of Hulk Hogan. For decades, he was the face of WWE, a pop culture phenomenon who turned wrestling into mainstream entertainment. But alongside the glory came deep controversy — moments that forever altered his relationship with fans, colleagues, and the sport he helped define.
A new documentary, “TMZ Presents: The Real Hulk Hogan,” airing tonight on FOX and streaming tomorrow on Hulu, explores the dual sides of the man: the record-breaking champion and the deeply flawed human being.
The Racism Scandal That Changed Everything
In 2015, Hogan’s career took a devastating hit when a leaked 2007 sex tape revealed him using a racial slur to describe one of his daughter Brooke Hogan’s ex-boyfriends.
The fallout was immediate: WWE terminated his contract, erased him from its Hall of Fame, and distanced itself entirely from the man who once defined its brand.
Former WWE CEO Vince McMahon, who appears in the documentary, calls the remarks “unforgivable” and says they didn’t align with the Hulk Hogan he knew. WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry shares how the comments personally hurt him and others in the wrestling community.
Hogan’s Public Response and Walk-Back
At one point, Hogan admitted he was racist — later walking that back in interviews, saying the incident served as a painful wake-up call. In a 2017 sit-down with Harvey Levin on “OBJECTified”, he insisted he was not a racist and spoke about realizing the power of words and their potential to wound.
Some, like wrestling legend Mick Foley, choose to focus on Hogan’s positive contributions rather than his lowest moments. Foley believes it’s unfair to define a person solely by their worst mistake, saying, “The positives outweigh the negatives.”
A Divided Fan Base
Not everyone has been willing to forgive. Even in his final years, Hogan faced visible backlash. In January 2025, during what would be his last wrestling appearance before his death, he was booed by the crowd — a stinging reminder of how fractured his fan base had become.
Former WWE and WCW champion Bill Goldberg recalls the toll that moment took on Hogan, saying the rejection clearly weighed heavily on him.
The Legacy Question
For decades, Hulk Hogan was the ultimate wrestling hero — a man who headlined WrestleManias, inspired millions, and brought pro wrestling into the global spotlight. But his story is also a cautionary tale about how quickly fame can crumble when personal actions clash with public values.
“TMZ Presents: The Real Hulk Hogan” doesn’t shy away from either side of the man — the glory or the disgrace. It’s a raw look at a life lived in the spotlight, for better and for worse.
💬 Do you think Hulk Hogan’s positive impact outweighs his controversies? Join the conversation and watch the full story unfold tonight at 8 PM ET on FOX and streaming tomorrow on Hulu.
