“Vince McMahon Breaks Silence on Bringing Hulk Hogan Back After Racist Comments – ‘I Knew the Real Hulk Hogan’”
WWE’s most controversial comeback story just got a fresh twist.
In a candid interview for TMZ Presents: The Real Hulk Hogan, Vince McMahon opened up about one of the most debated decisions of his career — welcoming Hulk Hogan back to WWE in 2018, three years after severing ties over leaked tapes that captured the wrestling legend using racial slurs.
McMahon, who resigned from WWE and TKO in January 2024 amid a sexual misconduct lawsuit, said he never believed Hogan was truly a racist, despite the explosive 2007 sex tape and a 2008 jailhouse conversation with his son that featured offensive language.
“I knew he wasn’t racist. I’ve been with him for so many years. He said some racist things, yes, and he paid for it. But the real Hulk Hogan isn’t a racist,” McMahon insisted.
“We all make mistakes. That was a big one.”
The 78-year-old wrestling mogul admitted he was aghast when he first heard Hogan’s remarks — calling them “unforgivable” — and said WWE had no choice but to cut ties, even removing Hogan from the Hall of Fame. But by 2018, McMahon felt Hogan had “paid the price” and deserved a second chance.
Hogan, who passed away in July at age 71, tried to apologize publicly, though some — including WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry — felt his efforts fell short. Henry even suggested Hogan make amends by visiting historically Black colleges, but Hogan reportedly declined after being “advised not to talk about it anymore.”
McMahon also revealed he was hurt to be left out of WWE’s tributes to Hogan after his death — and furious that fans booed the Hulkster during his final WWE appearance.
“His death was a blow to my heart,” McMahon said. “And hearing those boos… it made me angry.”
For Vince, Hogan’s legacy — like their decades-long friendship — is complicated. But in his eyes, the man behind the red-and-yellow tights was never defined by the worst words he ever spoke.
