URGENT UPDATE: Vince McMahon has stepped into the spotlight once again, defending his controversial decision to reinstate Hulk Hogan to WWE in 2018, just three years after the wrestling legend was ousted for using a racial slur. This revelation comes amidst McMahon’s ongoing legal troubles, following a sexual misconduct lawsuit that forced him to resign from WWE and parent company TKO in January 2024.
In an exclusive interview aired on TMZ Presents: The Real Hulk Hogan on Tuesday night, McMahon grappled with the fallout from Hogan’s racially charged comments, which surfaced in a notorious leaked sex tape. The remarks were deemed so damaging that WWE initially severed ties with Hogan, removing him from the Hall of Fame and company programming.
“I knew he wasn’t racist. He said some racist things. He should pay for that, and he did,” McMahon stated. His defense of Hogan, who passed away at 71 in July, emphasizes the complexity of their relationship and the wrestling industry’s challenges in addressing racism.
Hogan’s past resurfaced when audio from a 2007 sex tape, released in 2015, revealed him using the N-word repeatedly. During a separate 2008 conversation with his son Nick in prison, Hogan continued to exhibit racist language. Despite this, McMahon insists that Hogan has paid his dues and deserves redemption.
“It was unforgivable and I was aghast,” McMahon recalled. “When those things occurred, that’s not like him.” This sentiment reflects a broader struggle within WWE as it navigates public perception and accountability.
Former WWE star Mark Henry, however, has expressed skepticism about Hogan’s attempts to apologize, suggesting they fell short. “He was like, ‘I’ve been advised not to talk about it no more.’ I said, ‘I think that’s bad advice,’” Henry remarked, advocating for Hogan to engage directly with the communities impacted by his words.
As McMahon faces backlash for his past actions and legal issues surrounding the misconduct lawsuit, he revealed mixed emotions about being excluded from tributes for Hogan after his death. “It struck me that way as well,” he admitted, underscoring the personal toll of losing a friend amid public disgrace.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: The wrestling world is watching closely as McMahon continues to navigate his own controversies while defending Hogan’s legacy. As WWE evolves, the implications of these discussions around racism and accountability are far-reaching, potentially influencing how the organization addresses similar issues in the future.
The ongoing dialogue around Hogan and McMahon’s past raises critical questions about redemption, accountability, and the future of wrestling entertainment. Fans and critics alike are eager to see how WWE will manage its narrative moving forward, especially as social sensitivities shift in the public arena.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
