WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has opened up about the complicated legacy of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who passed away on July 24, 2025. Speaking candidly on his “Hall of Fame” podcast, Booker T described Hogan as a “polarizing figure” whose enormous wrestling accomplishments are inseparable from longstanding controversies surrounding his backstage politics and personal conduct[2][1].
Hogan’s death sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, eliciting deeply emotional reactions from peers and fans alike. Booker T recalled the moment he learned of Hogan’s passing in a heartfelt segment, saying he received the news from co-host Brad Gilmore in a phone call that stunned him. “That was one of those moments… when you hear the news, it just shakes you,” Booker shared[1]. Hogan’s impact on wrestling was undeniable; Booker described him as someone who “put wrestling on the map” and credited Hogan for giving Booker’s legendary tag team, Harlem Heat, a career-changing main event push in WCW. “I must say, and I’ve told him this personally… that push was because of Hulk,” Booker remarked with gratitude[1][3].
Yet, Booker T acknowledged that Hogan’s legacy cannot be viewed through rose-colored glasses. “Oh, he was a politicker, man! He politicked big time, man, he was one of the guys who invented politics,” Booker explained, emphasizing the cutthroat and selfish nature of the wrestling business[2]. This acknowledgment reflects long-standing criticism of Hogan’s backstage maneuvering that often divided locker rooms and altered career trajectories.
When asked how Hogan’s final legacy will be remembered, Booker admitted it was a difficult question. “I know you can’t take away everything that Hogan did for the wrestling business, but, there again… You cannot take away the other side of Terry Bollea as well; those two intertwine,” he said, referring to Hogan’s real name to highlight the inseparability of his achievements and personal controversies[2]. Booker described Hogan’s life story as something akin to a cautionary tale, comparing it to narratives featured on the documentary series Dark Side of the Ring. This metaphor underscores how Hogan’s legacy is a mix of groundbreaking success and caution regarding the pitfalls of fame and power within the wrestling industry[2].
Sources close to the wrestling community corroborate this view of Hogan as a transformative yet divisive figure, whose influence helped define professional wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s but whose off-ring behavior complicated his reputation[2][4]. Interviews and industry podcasts reflect this duality repeatedly: Hogan was a vital figure with undeniable charisma and mainstream crossover appeal, yet his personal controversies and backstage political savvy created lasting controversies.
Booker’s reflection also highlights a broader wrestling narrative about how complex legacies are shaped behind the scenes. According to WWE.com and Fightful reports, Hogan’s contributions helped build wrestling’s global fanbase, but they are frequently weighed against his sometimes problematic personal actions and relationships within the wrestling community[2][4].
In summary, Booker T’s commentary provides a nuanced look at Hulk Hogan’s life and career — recognizing him as both a wrestling pioneer who opened doors and a “polarizing” personality whose legacy remains entangled with controversy. This balance of admiration and candid critique offers fans and wrestling historians a fuller understanding of why Hogan’s story continues to resonate as one of wrestling’s most iconic, yet complicated, legacies[2].
All quotes from Booker T are taken from his “Hall of Fame” podcast, with thanks to Wrestling Inc. for transcription assistance.