Hulk Hogan: The Top 10 Controversies That Marred WWE Legend's Legacy

Last Updated:July 25, 2025, 07:06 IST

Hulk Hogan saw his reputation decline due to scandals, ego-driven decisions and personal conflicts, including a lawsuit against WCW and a leaked racist rant.

Hulk Hogan died aged 71 (AP)

Hulk Hogan, once celebrated as the face of professional wrestling, experienced a dramatic decline in his public image due to numerous scandals and controversies over the years. He passed away at the age of 71 due to acardiac arrest.

His in-ring achievements and immense popularity in the 1980s and 1990s made him a household name, but his reputation has been severely damaged by questionable actions, ego-driven decisions, and personal conflicts.

Hulk Hogan: Top 10 Controversies

1. Hogan sued WCW after refusing to lose, citing his creative control clause.
2. He falsely claimed that he missed out on the George Foreman Grill deal due to a missed phone call.
3. Hogan insulted Mick Foley by referring to him as a “stuntman" and later issued an apology.
4. He fabricated a story about being invited to join Metallica as their bassist.
5. Hogan lied about The Undertaker injuring him during their match at Survivor Series 1991.
6. His public divorce from Linda Hogan involved accusations of cheating and media drama.
7. Daughter Brooke Hogan distanced herself from him because of ongoing family controversies.
8. He damaged TNA’s reputation by mocking its legacy and promoting failed ideas.
9. Hogan’s demands over the Mr. America gimmick led WWE to abruptly end the storyline.
10. He was removed from WWE after a leaked racist rant, damaging his public image.

What Were Hulk Hogan’s Controversies?

One of the most notorious incidents was Hogan’s lawsuit against WCW after he walked out due to a real-life dispute with Vince Russo. Hogan’s “creative control" clause allowed him to reject match ideas, and when he disliked a storyline, he left and subsequently sued the company, further harming WCW’s already faltering fortunes. Hogan also claimed to have missed out on endorsing the George Foreman Grill because he didn’t answer the phone in time – a claim the grill’s inventor later denied.

Hogan’s ego continued to cause friction backstage. He notoriously insulted Mick Foley, calling him a “stuntman" who “prostituted" his body, only apologising decades later. Another strange moment occurred when Hogan falsely claimed he was offered a position in Metallica, a statement the band members laughed off. He also wrongly accused The Undertaker of injuring him with a tombstone piledriver in 1991, a claim disproven by video footage that deeply upset The Undertaker.

Hogan’s personal life also faced turmoil. His messy, highly publicised divorce from Linda Hogan involved accusations of infidelity and ugly media battles. Even his daughter Brooke distanced herself, citing the stress of being embroiled in the family’s controversies. Hogan’s tenure in TNA further damaged his reputation as he insulted the company’s past and made creative choices that contributed to its decline.

Perhaps the most damaging incident was Hogan’s 2015 leaked racist rant, which led to his firing from WWE and being blacklisted from the industry for years. Although he was later reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame, his legacy was significantly tarnished.

From ego-driven disputes to lies and personal drama, Hogan’s fall from grace has overshadowed his once-celebrated wrestling career. Today, while some fans still hold on to “Hulkamania," for many, Hulk Hogan serves as a cautionary tale of how mismanaged fame can unravel even the most iconic legacy.

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