“Was Hulk Hogan Really a Racist?” – WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam Breaks His Silence After Hogan’s Passing

Hulk Hogan isn’t just a name—he’s an era. The face of wrestling in the 1980s, Hogan was the man who turned WWE into a global phenomenon. With his charisma, his catchphrases, and his larger-than-life persona, Hulkamania ran wild and forever changed the business.

But behind the glory always lurked controversy. For decades, Hogan’s legacy has been shadowed by accusations of racism—something fans and insiders still debate to this day.

Now, following Hogan’s recent passing at age 71, WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam has opened up about the issue that has haunted Hogan’s name.

Rob Van Dam Speaks Out

On his “1 Of A Kind” podcast, RVD addressed the long-standing allegations:

“I don’t need other people in society telling me that I need to hate this person because he is a racist. And I’m not saying that Hulk is or isn’t… If it turned out that you hate a certain race of people, I might think that makes you stupid, but shouldn’t I be able to choose for myself who the worse person is?”

RVD went on to say that society often amplifies certain controversies while ignoring others, adding that people should have the right to their own perspectives—even if controversial.

Hogan’s Complicated Legacy

Van Dam also touched on Vince McMahon’s comments about Hogan’s infamous racial slur, suggesting that in the “bigger picture,” maybe it didn’t deserve to define Hogan’s entire career.

“Vince talking about Hogan’s racial slur, you know, I think maybe, perspectively, in the overall picture, that could validly be played down a little.”

Wrestling World Mourns, But Questions Remain

There’s no denying Hulk Hogan’s influence—he built WWE into the juggernaut it is today and became one of the most recognized names in sports entertainment. Yet, his legacy is forever complicated. Fans will always celebrate the legend of Hulkamania, but the shadow of controversy ensures debates about who Hogan really was will never end.