Divided Legacies: The Complex Relationships Hulk Hogan Had With WWE Stars
THE LEGACY OF THE HULKSTER: EXPOSED
In a shocking turn of events, wrestling legend Hulk Hogan passed away at 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home on Thursday morning. The news sent shockwaves across the globe, with tributes pouring in from fellow wrestlers and fans alike. However, behind the scenes, Hogan's legacy was marred by controversy and feuds that would leave even the most seasoned wrestling aficionado gasping.
As we pay our respects to the Hulkster, we're taking a closer look at some of his most infamous feuds, scandals, and relationships that will make you wonder if he was truly the hero we thought he was. Buckle up, folks!
The Beef with Bret
Hogan's complicated history with fellow wrestling legend Bret Hart is no secret. The two were once friends, but their relationship turned sour when Hogan refused to drop the WWE Championship to Hart at SummerSlam 1993. According to Hart, Hogan had it in for him from the start and even went so far as to sabotage his career.
Hart recalled in his 2009 book, "I was really thinking, 'Go ahead, Hogan, take from me what I worked hard to get. We'll see just how long you last!'" The tension between the two was palpable, and their one-on-one match at WCW's Starrcade event only added fuel to the fire.
The Fallout with Shawn Michaels
Another wrestler who had a falling out with Hogan is none other than Shawn Michaels. Their 2005 SummerSlam match was supposed to be a passing-of-the-torch moment, but Hogan allegedly went back on his word and cost Michaels the title. Michaels took it as a personal affront and responded by "poking the bear" during their match.
In an interview with TheScholarlyNote.com, Michaels revealed, "We were going to do a best of three, and in the last minute, [Hogan] backed out... So that day – and I will admit this – I poked the bear all day. I already knew what I was gonna do, I was gonna go out there and do business, but I was gonna make him earn it, just to be a pain in the butt all day."
The Scandal That Wouldn't Go Away
In 2015, Hogan's career was left reeling after a leaked audio tape caught him using a racial slur when discussing his daughter Brooke's dating life. The WWE quickly terminated their contract with him, and he was effectively blackballed from the company.
Hogan eventually pleaded for forgiveness in a statement to PEOPLE, but the damage had been done. Even now, some of his former colleagues still can't stomach the thought of him being associated with the WWE.
The Mount Rushmore Debate
All Elite Wrestling's (AEW) two-time United States champion Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) recently sparked a heated debate when he called Hogan a "racist" and suggested that he be removed from any hypothetical Mount Rushmore of wrestling legends. When asked to name his own Mount Rushmore, MVP replied, "There are many people that would make the case that Hulk Hogan should be on it... I think he's disqualified in my opinion, because… he's who he is. Self-admitted, unapologetic, so that's that."
The Fan Backlash
Hogan's surprise appearance at Monday Night Raw in Los Angeles earlier this year was met with a chorus of boos from the crowd. Even WWE legend Mark Henry wasn't surprised by the hostile reception, revealing that he had offered to help Hogan repair his public image after the racism scandal – but it fell on deaf ears.
"I offered," Henry said in an interview with TMZ, "to say 'Hey let's do a tour of the black colleges, law schools, and explain what happened.' He didn't want to do that."
The Undertaker's Take
When asked if he felt bad for Hogan after his LA appearance, The Undertaker simply laughed and replied, "No. I got feelings. I got feelings for people... [But] sometimes in life, things come back." Ouch!
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Hogan was also supported by some of his former colleagues who believed he deserved a second chance. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson came out in defense of the Hulkster, saying, "I've known [Hulk Hogan] for a lot of years... My dad helped train him in Florida in the '70s when he was breaking into the business... I'd not known him to be racist."
Tributes and Reflections
As we reflect on the life and legacy of Hulk Hogan, it's clear that his impact on the world of professional wrestling cannot be overstated. He may have been a polarizing figure, but he was undoubtedly a trailblazer who helped pave the way for future generations of wrestlers.
So as we say goodbye to the Hulkster, let's remember the good times – and not just focus on the controversies that overshadowed his career.
