In his first major interview since stepping away from WWE and TKO, Vince McMahon addressed the longstanding controversy surrounding Hulk Hogan’s racist comments, expressing deep personal pain yet defending WWE’s decision to reinstate Hogan into the Hall of Fame. The remarks were made during the FOX documentary TMZ Presents: The Real Hulk Hogan, which aired amid renewed public scrutiny of Hogan’s legacy.

McMahon acknowledged the “unforgivable” nature of Hogan’s racist remarks recorded in 2007 and leaked in 2015, which led to WWE initially removing Hogan from its Hall of Fame. Yet, reflecting on the broader trajectory of Hogan’s career and their decades-long working relationship, McMahon stood by the controversial decision to restore Hogan’s status in 2018.

“He said some racist things. It was unforgivable,” McMahon told TMZ’s documentary host, adding that while Hogan admitted to those mistakes, McMahon hoped the wrestler’s entire legacy would be viewed in context. “I would never sit here and defend somebody who tells you who they were. It hurt. It hurt a lot” but “he wasn’t a racist in the heart,” McMahon stated, emphasizing the complex nature of personal growth and redemption within the wrestling community[3][4][5].

A Brotherhood and A Blow to the Heart

Touching on their longtime bond, McMahon described Hogan as “part of my life, a big part of my life. We were brothers to a certain extent.” He revealed how their camaraderie sometimes included verbal disagreements that ultimately strengthened their relationship. McMahon said Hogan’s recent passing was “a blow to my heart,” underscoring the personal loss beyond the public figure’s image.

Terry Bollea — Hogan’s real name — had endured multiple surgeries and significant health battles. McMahon remarked on Hogan’s resilience but acknowledged how his ultimate passing was deeply felt. The documentary revisited these moments with poignancy, showing McMahon’s emotional reflections on both Hogan’s struggles and milestones[2].

Absence from WWE’s Tribute and Fallout from WWE Departure

Notably, McMahon was not invited to WWE’s official ten-bell salute for Hogan earlier this year, an omission he described as surprising but refrained from commenting on further. His absence marked a clear shift in his post-WWE interactions, following the allegations and controversies that led to his exit from the company.

Sources close to McMahon told Fightful Wrestling that while the former Chairman remains respectful of Hogan and their shared history, the evolving corporate dynamics and ongoing legal matters have created distance. McMahon’s brief but candid remarks on the tribute explained his genuine surprise at being left out but also demonstrated his acceptance of WWE’s choices amid the changing landscape[1].

WWE’s Handling and Public Perception

WWE’s original decision to remove Hogan from the Hall of Fame in 2015 was viewed as swift damage control after the leaked recordings revealed explicit racist language. Hogan’s removal was impactful for WWE’s brand image but remained controversial within wrestling circles.

In 2018, the company quietly reinstated Hogan after he publicly apologized, a move McMahon confirmed was in the company’s best interest while acknowledging the delicate balance between accountability and forgiveness. In the documentary, McMahon framed WWE’s approach as a reflection of evolving societal views and Hogan’s efforts toward redemption.

Meanwhile, other wrestling figures like Mark Henry have publicly disagreed with McMahon’s defense of Hogan, pointing to the gravity of the remarks regardless of personal growth. This internal debate continues to resonate within WWE’s fanbase and the wrestling community at large[5].

The Lasting Legacy of Hulk Hogan and McMahon’s Final Words

Vince McMahon’s interview in The Real Hulk Hogan documentary offered rare insight into one of wrestling’s most turbulent chapters, blending raw emotion with firm business decisions. While McMahon called Hogan’s racist comments “unforgivable,” he also highlighted decades of professional success and personal fraternity.

According to WWE.com archives and multiple interviews, Hogan remains one of the company’s foundational stars who, despite controversy, contributed greatly to WWE’s rise as a global entertainment phenomenon. McMahon’s words serve as a reminder of the complexity behind wrestling legends and the ongoing conversation about accountability, legacy, and the power of redemption in professional sports entertainment.

As one WWE insider shared on a popular wrestling podcast, “What Vince expressed wasn’t just about Hogan—it was about how WWE navigates the fine line between honoring icons and confronting difficult truths.” This balance will continue to shape WWE’s narrative as it moves forward.

This article is based on multiple sources including TMZ’s Real Hulk Hogan documentary, reports from Fightful Wrestling, WWE.com, and interviews with WWE insiders as of August 2025.