UPDATE: Vince McMahon is publicly defending his controversial decision to reinstate Hulk Hogan in WWE, despite the wrestling icon’s past use of racial slurs. In a recent interview with TMZ, aired on October 24, 2023, McMahon expressed his belief that Hogan, who passed away at 71 years in July, deserves forgiveness after facing consequences for his actions.
The backlash against Hogan began in 2015 when a leaked sex tape revealed him using racial slurs multiple times. McMahon, who stepped down from WWE and parent company TKO in January 2024 amid a sexual misconduct lawsuit, reflected on his initial shock at Hogan’s remarks. “It was unforgivable and I was aghast, ‘What happened?’” he stated.
During the interview, McMahon insisted, “I knew he wasn’t racist. He said some racist things. He should pay for that, and he did.” This sentiment was echoed by Hogan’s close friend, Jimmy Hart, who also defended Hogan’s character. However, former WWE star Mark Henry criticized Hogan’s attempts to apologize, suggesting he could have done more to make amends.
McMahon confirmed that WWE had no choice but to distance itself from Hogan immediately after the comments came to light, stating, “As soon as it happened, obviously, the company didn’t have anything to do with him anymore.” The fallout included removing Hogan from the WWE Hall of Fame, an action that left McMahon feeling conflicted about his former friend’s treatment.
In addition to the ongoing discussions about Hogan’s legacy, McMahon expressed disappointment about not being included in tributes to Hogan following his death. “It struck me that way as well,” he admitted, calling Hogan’s passing a “blow to my heart” and expressing anger over the way Hogan was treated during his final WWE appearance.
As wrestling fans react to these revelations, the implications of McMahon’s comments on Hogan’s return to WWE will undoubtedly continue to spark debate within the wrestling community. The conversation around accountability, forgiveness, and the impact of past actions remains as urgent as ever, raising questions about how figures in sports and entertainment navigate controversies.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as both Hogan’s legacy and McMahon’s future in wrestling come under scrutiny.
