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Vince McMahon is standing by his choice to bring Hulk Hogan<\/a> back to WWE in 2018 \u2014 three years after the company cut ties with the wrestling icon over his use of a racial slur.<\/p>\n The former WWE<\/a> chairman \u2014 who resigned from the company and parent group TKO in January 2024 after a sexual misconduct lawsuit was filed against him \u2014 spoke about the controversial decision in a rare TV interview.<\/p>\n McMahon shared his thoughts on how Hulk should be remembered during TMZ Presents: The Real Hulk Hogan<\/em><\/a>, which aired Tuesday night (Aug. 12).<\/p>\n McMahon said he had \u201cno issues\u201d reinstating Hulk to the WWE Hall of Fame and featuring him on programming after the multi-time world champion had, in his eyes, \u201cpaid a price.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI knew he wasn\u2019t racist. I\u2019ve been with him for so many years<\/a>. He wasn\u2019t a racist. He said some racist things. He should pay for that, and he did,\u201d McMahon told TMZ<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the end, I think everyone saw the real Hulk Hogan<\/a>, Terry Bollea, and they felt, \u2018Wait a minute, this guy doesn\u2019t act like a racist. He\u2019s not a racist.\u2019 We all make mistakes,” he continued. “That was a big one, but he wasn\u2019t a racist.\u201d<\/p>\n In 2015, leaked audio from a 2007 sex tape captured Hulk using the N-word multiple times and saying, \u201cI guess we\u2019re all a little racist.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Hulk Hogan\u2019s Legacy Under Attack: Kevin Nash Defends Friend With Blunt Message<\/a><\/p>\n A 2008 prison-recorded conversation between Hulk and his son Nick also contained<\/a> racist language.<\/p>\n McMahon said he was stunned when he first heard the remarks.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was unforgivable and I was aghast, \u2018What happened?\u2019\u201d he recalled. \u201cWhen those things occurred, that\u2019s not like him. \u2018What in God\u2019s name is going on?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n The controversy left WWE with no choice, McMahon explained: \u201cAs soon as it happened, obviously, the company didn\u2019t have anything to do with him<\/a> anymore. We took him out of the Hall of Fame. You just don\u2019t do those things.\u201d<\/p>\n Hulk\u2019s longtime friend and fellow wrestling legend Jimmy Hart told TMZ<\/em> he never believed the flamboyant superstar was racist.<\/p>\n Former WWE star Mark Henry, however, felt the WWE legends’ apology efforts fell short.<\/p>\n He refused to defend the comments<\/a> but suggested Hulk could visit Black colleges to personally apologize and start repairing the damage.<\/p>\n \u201cGo and talk to them and be honest with your apology,\u201d Henry recalled telling Hulk. \u201cHe was like, \u2018I\u2019ve been advised not to talk about it no more.\u2019 I said, \u2018I think that\u2019s bad advice.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Reflecting on Hulk\u2019s passing, McMahon called it \u201ca blow to my heart<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n The wrestling icon died on July 24, 2025, at his home in Clearwater, Fla., at age 71.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Hulk Hogan\u2019s Mansion in Florida Is Spectacular! See Inside<\/a><\/p>\nWhy McMahon Brought The Hulkster Back<\/h3>\n
The Racist Allegations<\/h3>\n
Reactions From Friends and Peers<\/h3>\n
Hulk Hogan\u2019s Death<\/h3>\n