One of Kazeem Famuyide's earliest memories is sitting on his father's lap, captivated by the electrifying spectacle of Hulk Hogan wrestling during the 1988 Survivor Series. Famuyide's admiration for Hogan evolved into a lifelong passion for the sport of professional wrestling, which even led him to tour the country for a year, writing scripts for WWE's top talent. “He was a superhero to a lot of people, including myself,” stated Famuyide, who is Black and currently co-hosts the WWE-themed podcast “The Ringer Wrestling Show.” He recalls Hogan's iconic exhortations to “train, say your prayers and eat your vitamins,” often accompanied by the sight of massive American flags. However, the recent passing of Hogan at the age of 71 has reignited discussions among Black wrestling fans and sports commentators about the contradictory aspects of Hogan's legacy—both his significant role in expanding wrestling's appeal across diverse demographics and his troubling history of racism.
In the wake of Hogan's death, reactions have been strikingly divided, as noted by “The Right Time” podcast host Bomani Jones. He pointed out that responses ranged from those who chose to overlook Hogan's controversial past to others who struggled to reconcile his legacy with his well-documented racist behavior, which had previously led to his ban from the WWE. “This was never going to be one where people were going to mourn quietly,” Jones remarked. Hogan was remembered by politicians, celebrities, and fans alike, many of whom celebrated his accomplishments in the wrestling world and beyond, including his transition into movies, brand endorsements, and reality television. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, whose own fame is comparable to Hogan's, paid tribute, calling Hogan a hero “to millions of little kids.”
Johnson, the son of pioneering wrestler Rocky Johnson, one of WWE's first Black champions, shared a poignant memory, stating, “You may have ‘passed the torch’ to me... But you, my friend...you ‘drew the house’ meaning you sold out every arena and stadium across the country in your prime as Hulk Hogan, on your way to becoming the greatest of all time.” This illustrates the profound impact Hogan had on the wrestling industry, yet it doesn't erase the controversies that marred his reputation.
While many celebrated Hogan's contributions to wrestling, his death also served as a reminder of his more controversial actions. In 2016, a Florida jury awarded Hogan over $115 million against Gawker Media after he sued the outlet for posting a video of him engaging in intimate relations with his former best friend's wife. This legal battle unearthed troubling details, including Hogan's use of racial slurs in a 2007 conversation regarding his daughter's Black ex-boyfriend. “I am a racist, to a point,” Hogan admitted in a transcript, before using a slur against Black individuals. Although he later apologized and deemed his language “unacceptable,” doubts lingered regarding the sincerity of his remorse, particularly in light of his public endorsements of conservative figures like former President Donald Trump.
The death of Hulk Hogan has prompted many Black wrestling enthusiasts to reflect on the long-standing issues of race within the sport. Lyric Swinton, a 27-year-old freelance wrestling writer, recalls her initial love for wrestling beginning at age eight, describing it as “the most nuanced and colorful” form of storytelling. Although she acknowledges that representation has improved over the years, she also remembers instances where the WWE employed racist tropes in plot lines involving Black wrestlers. For example, she highlights how wrestler Shelton Benjamin was scripted to have a “mammy” character, which invoked a deeply offensive stereotype. Despite Benjamin's undeniable talent, Swinton believes he never received the recognition he deserved, partly due to these limiting and stereotypical roles.
For WWE enthusiast and sports journalist Master Tesfatsion, the mixed reactions to Hogan's death reflect broader societal divides and underscore wrestling's significance in American pop culture. Tesfatsion, who is Black, recalls moments that highlighted the racial tensions within wrestling, such as Vince McMahon's use of a racial slur during a match with John Cena in 2005, or the controversial storyline involving John Layfield chasing Mexicans across the border in 2004. “In some strange way, the WWE always had a pulse on where America stood,” Tesfatsion noted, emphasizing that the history of America cannot be told without acknowledging these issues, just as the history of the WWE is intertwined with them.
Having attended Hogan's final match in January, Tesfatsion was among those who booed the wrestling icon, an experience that marked the first time he saw Hogan live. “I never thought that I would see ‘The Hulk’ in person, and that I would resort to bullying him. But that's what his actions made me do,” he reflected. Despite these feelings, Tesfatsion remains a passionate fan of wrestling and America. “It’s an emotional contradiction that I choose to deal with because I still find value in it,” he concluded, illustrating the complex relationship that many fans have with the sport and its icons.
