WWE legend Hulk Hogan passes on anniversary of 2015 scandal that nearly ended his legacy
Hulk Hogan
, real name Terry Bollea, passed away Thursday, July 24, at age 71, in Clearwater Beach, Florida. The date marked a haunting coincidence— it was exactly 10 years since the racist audio leak that almost erased his legacy.
Once a symbol of professional wrestling's golden era, Hogan's final chapter is now intertwined with one of the darkest moments in his career.
Hulk Hogan's 2015 racist controversy, what went down?
Hogan's rise was unmatched. He turned WWE into a household name in the 1980s, riding the wave of 'Hulkamania' straight into movies, television, and pop culture immortality. With his 24-inch pythons, red-and-yellow gear, and booming charisma, he was an icon.
— WrestleOps (@WrestleOps)
But in 2015, that image shattered. A leaked recording captured Hogan using racial slurs in a tirade about his daughter's boyfriend. 'I'd rather if she was going to f— some n—er,' he said on tape. 'I'd rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n—er worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player!'
WWE quickly severed ties.
'WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan),' the company announced at the time. 'WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds.' Hogan was removed from the Hall of Fame page, his merchandise vanished, and his presence across WWE's platforms was erased. In his words, it felt like he 'never existed.'
According to transcripts cited by Marc Lamont Hill, Hogan also referred to fellow wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson using the n-word and 'sambo.'
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Johnson later addressed the controversy: 'I was pretty disappointed with what I heard, like all of us... I had not known the man to be racist.'
Hulk Hogan's redemption arc
After the public fallout, Hogan issued a formal apology: 'Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable... and I apologize for having done it. This is not who I am,' Hogan told PEOPLE. On Good Morning America, he broke down. 'It was wrong. I'm embarrassed by it,' he told ABC's Amy Robach, explaining he was unaware he was being recorded and that he had been at the lowest point in his life.
'I wanted to kill myself,' he said.
Hogan attributed his use of the slur to growing up in a rough South Tampa neighborhood where the word 'was just thrown around like it was nothing.' But he pleaded for forgiveness. 'Please forgive me. I'm a nice guy... I'm just Terry Bollea. I'm just a normal man.'
In the years that followed, Hogan made efforts to rebuild his public image and raise awareness about the consequences of hate speech.
Whether those efforts were enough will remain a point of debate.
Also Read:
WWE icon Hulk Hogan passes away at 71, triggering heartfelt tributes from sports and entertainment giants
As news of his passing broke, fans were left grappling with the complex legacy of a man who once embodied American heroism, only to fall victim to his own words.
FAQs
Where did Hulk Hogan die?
Hogan passed away in Clearwater Beach, Florida, after suffering cardiac arrest.
What caused Hulk Hogan's career downfall in 2015?
A leaked sex tape captured him using racial slurs, leading to his termination from WWE.
How did Hulk Hogan respond to the backlash?
He apologized publicly and said he was deeply ashamed, asking fans to forgive him.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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