WWE CEO Vince McMahon alleges racially insensitive comments by Hulk Hogan posthumously, following the wrestling icon's unexpected demise
In a surprising turn of events, Vince McMahon, the longtime boss and face of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), has defended Hulk Hogan, the wrestling icon who passed away last month at the age of 71, amid allegations of racism.
Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, found himself embroiled in controversy in 2015 when comments discussing his daughter's love life and using racial slurs were recorded. The outburst led to WWE cutting ties with Hogan and removing him from its Hall of Fame.
In the aftermath, Vince McMahon defended Hulk Hogan, insisting the wrestling icon was not a racist. McMahon acknowledged Hogan's remarks as "unforgivable," but separated them from Hogan’s overall character as a non-racist person.
McMahon emphasized WWE’s immediate response to the incident, stating that Hogan should pay for his mistakes. He confirmed that WWE acted swiftly by severing ties and removing Hogan from its Hall of Fame following the 2015 leaked tape incident where Hogan made racist remarks.
Hulk Hogan, in a tearful interview on Good Morning America, expressed remorse for his racist comments and begged for forgiveness. Despite this, criticism persists that he has not fully atoned for these incidents.
Meanwhile, Vince McMahon continues to face his own legal battles. He is currently fighting allegations of sex trafficking, with a lawsuit by a former employee, Janel Grant, remaining pending. In 2024, McMahon resigned as executive chairman of WWE parent company TKO Group holdings following these allegations.
McMahon's wife, Linda, is currently Donald Trump's Secretary of Education, having helped him get elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2024.
Despite the controversies surrounding both men, Hulk Hogan was the biggest name in professional wrestling and enjoyed superstardom. His estranged daughter and Vince McMahon's daughter have not issued a public response to Hulk Hogan's death.
The World Wrestling Federation, bought by Vince McMahon from his father more than four decades ago, has since changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment and become an international sensation. Vince McMahon stepped down as WWE CEO three years ago due to investigations into sexual misconduct allegations.
In a more recent development, McMahon brought back Hulk Hogan a few years later, with Hulk Hogan referring to himself as a "nice guy" during his Good Morning America interview.
[1] Source for McMahon's defense of Hogan [2] Source for additional context
[1] In a recent interview, Vince McMahon defended Hulk Hogan, expressing that he believes Hogan's overall character is non-racist despite his past remarks.
[2] This defense came amid the controversy surrounding Hulk Hogan's 2015 leaked tape incident where he made racist comments.
[3] McMahon views entertainment as a platform for both sports and non-sports figures, including celebrities, to connect with fans and make amends for past mistakes.
[4] The National Football League (NFL) and American football, being mainstream forms of entertainment in the United States, have also faced controversies involving racism and Tar délais insensitive comments from figures within their ranks.
