The recent airing of TMZ Presents: The Real Hulk Hogan on FOX has reignited one of wrestling’s most contentious debates — the complex legacy of Hulk Hogan. Following Hogan’s death on July 24 due to complications from a heart attack, the WWE legend’s career and personal controversies have been revisited, with former WWE chairman Vince McMahon offering candid reflections on Hogan’s infamous racist remarks and the backlash he faced during his final WWE RAW appearance[1][2][4].

McMahon on Hogan’s Racist Remarks: “Unforgivable but Not Defining”

In the documentary, McMahon addresses the 2015 incident in which Hogan was caught on a leaked sex tape uttering racist comments, including racial slurs and disparaging remarks about his daughter dating a Black man. McMahon called the remarks “unforgivable” and expressed shock at the betrayal of the character Hogan had long embodied on WWE programming. Still, McMahon maintained a clear distinction between Hogan’s words and his personal character, stating, “He said some racist things… but he wasn’t a racist”[1][4].

McMahon detailed how WWE immediately severed all ties with Hogan following the leak, removing him from WWE programming and the Hall of Fame as a direct consequence. “As soon as it happened, obviously, the company didn’t have anything to do with him anymore. We took him out of the Hall of Fame. You just don’t do those things,” McMahon said during an interview with TMZ’s Harvey Levin[1].

Despite the fallout, McMahon noted a deep personal history with Hogan, underscoring his belief in Hogan’s core decency despite his mistakes. Sources close to WWE have revealed that McMahon was personally involved behind the scenes during the crisis management following the scandal[5].

Hogan’s Own Admission and Redemption Attempts

Hogan himself has publicly admitted to the racist remarks and described them as a “slap in the face” that triggered a wake-up call about the power of words. In a 2017 episode of OBJECTified with Harvey Levin, Hogan insisted he was not a racist and sought forgiveness from fans and friends alike for the harm caused by his comments[2].

This admission and apparent change in perspective partly paved the way for Hogan’s reinstatement into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018, a decision McMahon supported privately even if it remained controversial among fans and industry insiders[5].

The Fallout and Fanbase Reaction

The documentary also highlighted how Hogan’s legacy was fractured among WWE audiences. Notably, Hogan was booed during his final WWE RAW appearance, signaling lingering resentment from certain sections of the fanbase who could not separate the wrestler’s contributions from his offensive words[2]. WWE legends like Bill Goldberg and Mark Henry shared insights on how Hogan’s remarks affected them personally, emphasizing both the disappointment and complexity of wrestling’s cultural reckoning.

Former WWE Superstar Mick Foley weighed in on the debate, suggesting that while Hogan’s worst moments must be acknowledged, the positive impact he had on professional wrestling and popular culture should not be ignored. Foley expressed that “the positives outweigh the negatives” and encouraged fans to remember Hogan’s groundbreaking career in the 1980s and 1990s that elevated wrestling into global prominence[2].

Legacy Beyond Controversy

Hulk Hogan’s enduring influence on WWE and professional wrestling is undeniable. He was the face of wrestling during the rock ‘n’ wrestling era, a multi-time world champion who helped propel WWE to mainstream success. However, as the documentary and McMahon’s remarks illustrate, Hogan’s career cannot be divorced from his human flaws and mistakes.

WWE.com and Fightful report that backstage sources recall McMahon’s deep internal conflict over balancing Hogan’s legacy with the need to uphold WWE’s modern standards regarding race and sensitivity. The fallout served as a pivotal moment for WWE, prompting the company to more aggressively address its cultural image and the behavior of its stars[1][5].

In Memoriam: Hulk Hogan’s Final Days and Impact

Hogan’s passing in July 2025, after years of health struggles related to multiple cervical surgeries, has triggered a wave of reflection across the wrestling community. WWE released an official statement honoring his contributions to the industry while acknowledging the complexities of his public persona.

According to insiders, WWE plans to slowly revisit Hogan’s position within company lore, highlighting his charitable works and pioneering moments while cautiously confronting his controversial past. Future WWE programming may include retrospectives that offer a balanced perspective, blending admiration for his talents with accountability for his missteps.

Conclusion: Wrestling’s Ongoing Conversation on Accountability and Legacy

The story of Hulk Hogan as told on The Real Hulk Hogan documentary and reflected in Vince McMahon’s remarks symbolizes wrestling’s continuing struggle to preserve history while evolving socially. Hogan’s career trajectory—from beloved icon to pariah, then partially redeemed figure—exemplifies the complicated interplay between fame, personal failings, and forgiveness in the modern era.

As fans debate Hogan’s place in WWE history, McMahon’s rare openness about “unforgivable” comments yet refusal to label Hogan a racist personally offers a nuanced lens into the human side of wrestlers beyond their characters. For an industry built on storytelling and larger-than-life personalities, wrestling must reconcile the myths it creates with the realities of the people who inhabit them[1][2][4][5].

Reported by Wrestling Headlines, incorporating interviews from TMZ, WWE.com, Fightful, and insider sources close to Vince McMahon and WWE.