Hulk Hogan’s Legacy: Confronting Painful Contradictions for Black Wrestling Fans

Kazeem Famuyide remembers the day vividly. As a child, he sat on his father’s lap, captivated by Hulk Hogan wrestling at the 1988 Survivor Series. That moment sparked a lifelong love for the sport. Famuyide even spent a year touring and writing for WWE talent. “Hogan was a superhero to many, myself included,” he shares.

However, the recent passing of Hogan at age 71 has stirred deep reflections for Famuyide and many Black wrestling fans. While Hogan broadened wrestling’s appeal, his legacy is sullied by a history of racism. “You never got the sense he fully understood the harm he caused,” Famuyide said.

Reactions to Hogan’s death highlight the social divide in America today. Bomani Jones, host of “The Right Time” podcast, pointed out the stark differences in responses. Some celebrators remain unbothered by the past, while others cannot ignore Hogan’s racist incidents that led to his WWE ban.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, following Hogan’s death, remembered Hogan’s impact. Johnson, whose father was a trailblazer in WWE, acknowledged Hogan’s influence on young fans. “You sold out arenas, becoming the greatest of all time,” he wrote in a tribute.

Yet, many are compelled to revisit Hogan’s controversial actions. In 2016, a Florida jury awarded Hogan over $115 million against Gawker Media for a sex tape lawsuit. During the proceedings, derogatory language surfaced from Hogan’s past, raising questions about his remorse.

His political affiliations, notably with figures like Donald Trump, have further clouded his legacy. “Aligning publicly with causes that many Black individuals find hurtful raises doubts about his sincerity,” Jones commented.

Historically, wrestling has struggled with race issues. Lyric Swinton, a 27-year-old wrestling writer, recalled her love for the sport, despite its historical reliance on racist tropes. She had fond memories of talented wrestlers like Shelton Benjamin but noted how racial narratives often overshadowed their abilities.

Master Tesfatsion, a Black sports journalist, sees mixed reactions to Hogan’s death as a reflection of broader societal tensions. He recalls moments that spotlight WWE’s relationship with race, noting, “You can’t understand America’s history without WWE’s.”

Even at Hogan’s last appearance, Tesfatsion joined others in booing him. “I never thought I’d see Hogan live and feel the need to express my disappointment,” he said. Still, his love for wrestling remains strong. “It’s a complicated emotional landscape, but I find value in it.”

The conversation around Hogan extends beyond wrestling; it reflects ongoing discussions about race and representation in media. Wrestling, much like society, is complex, filled with contradictions and evolving narratives.



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Hulk Hogan, Wrestling, John Cena, Vince McMahon, Racism, Pro wrestling, General news, AP Top News, Sports, Mark Henry, Entertainment, John Layfield, Race and ethnicity, U.S. news, Black experience, Thea Vidale, Dwayne Johnson, Donald Trump, U.S. News