How Hulk Hogan Got Killed on Camera

The Rise and Fall of Hulk Hogan: Vince McMahon’s Revelation, the Scandals, and the Tragic End

Few names in the history of professional wrestling evoke as strong a reaction as Hulk Hogan. To millions, he was the embodiment of larger-than-life charisma — a muscle-bound symbol of heroism and American pride. But behind the “Hulkamania” brand lies a darker, far more complex reality. A reality that, as Vince McMahon recently admitted, many wrestlers resented — and fans now struggle to reconcile.

With the tragic death of Hulk Hogan in July 2025, a chapter of wrestling history has officially closed. But it didn’t close quietly. It closed under the weight of scandal, racial controversy, broken relationships, and a body battered by decades of self-inflicted punishment.

💥 The Gawker Lawsuit and a Shocking Downfall

In 2016, Hogan famously won a $140 million judgment against Gawker for publishing his sex tape. But while the court ruled in his favor, the true cost was immeasurable. Beyond the invasion of privacy, the leaked footage contained racist audio clips where Hogan repeatedly used racial slurs, particularly in reference to his daughter Brooke’s relationship with a Black man.

The backlash was immediate and severe:

WWE terminated his contract.

He was removed from the Hall of Fame.

His image — once carefully curated as a family-friendly icon — was shattered overnight.

Hogan’s words, captured on tape, didn’t seem like a lapse in judgment. They sounded like a window into deeply held beliefs, undermining everything his public persona stood for: unity, patriotism, and positivity.

😡 Wrestler Backlash: Why WWE Peers Hated Hogan

Even before the scandal, many WWE wrestlers reportedly disliked Hogan — and Vince McMahon himself recently broke his silence on why.

“Terry [Hogan] was a draw, sure. But he was also the most politically savvy — and destructive — performer I’ve ever worked with,” McMahon admitted.

The reasons are numerous:

Creative control clauses that let him override booking decisions

Refusals to lose cleanly, even when it would elevate younger stars

Backstage politicking that held back other talent for his own benefit

Wrestling legends like Bret Hart, Ultimate Warrior, and Shawn Michaels all clashed with Hogan. Even in WCW, the same pattern continued — especially during the nWo era, where he dominated storylines and reportedly manipulated outcomes to protect his spot.

🚫 The 2015 Scandal: The N-Word, WWE Fallout, and Public Betrayal

The release of the racist audio in 2015 was the most damaging blow to Hogan’s career and reputation.

“My daughter jumps on everything…” Hogan is heard saying, followed by a tirade filled with racial slurs.

WWE swiftly cut ties. But the betrayal wasn’t just corporate — it was personal. Fans, especially young people who had grown up idolizing him, were stunned.

“It was a betrayal of everyone who ever looked up to him,” one veteran WWE staffer remarked.

Hogan tried to apologize, citing financial stress, a rough upbringing in South Tampa, and family tensions as excuses. But his justifications felt tone-deaf and evasive, especially when he blamed his environment rather than accepting full accountability.

🔥 2024–2025: New Allegations and Final Years of Decline

Just when the controversy seemed to have faded, new allegations emerged in 2024 — this time accusing Hogan of firing influencer Essence Janai from his Real American Beer brand because of her race. Although denied by his camp, the damage was done. The narrative of racial insensitivity clung to him like a shadow he couldn’t shake.

At the same time, Hogan’s health was spiraling:

25 surgeries in 10 years

10 back operations, knee and hip replacements, eye and abdominal procedures

A body described by Hogan himself as feeling “like a 140-year-old man”

In May 2025, he underwent neck fusion surgery. Initially presented as minor, the procedure triggered a cascade of health issues. By June, insiders like Bubba the Love Sponge were reporting that Hogan was critically ill and unable to speak due to trachea damage.

💔 Death of a Titan: July 24, 2025

On the morning of July 24, Hogan went into cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home. Despite rapid emergency response, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Morton Plant Hospital.

WWE’s official statement praised his contributions to their global success — but carefully avoided his scandals. Fellow wrestlers like Ric Flair shared emotional tributes. Donald Trump Jr. and Senator JD Vance offered public condolences, underscoring Hogan’s recent political affiliations.

But the most authentic reactions came from fans — many of whom expressed deep sadness tempered by unresolved anger. They mourned the hero of their childhood while wrestling with the man he really was.

🎭 Legacy of a Legend: Hero, Villain, or Both?

Hogan’s legacy is a paradox.

He helped define the golden age of wrestling.

He brought WWE to mainstream, global prominence.

He inspired millions — and disappointed just as many.

His death closes the chapter on a life lived at full throttle, but also one riddled with contradictions, denial, and emotional wreckage. In the end, Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a wrestling character — he became a cautionary tale about fame, unchecked ego, and the dangers of believing your own myth.

📌 Final Reflection

Hulk Hogan didn’t just die from surgery complications. He died under the weight of decades of unresolved controversy, broken relationships, and the irreversible choices of a man who once ruled the world — and then lost it all.

He may have been the immortal icon of wrestling, but his story reminds us that no one is immune to consequences.

Rest in Peace, Hulk Hogan — the hero, the heel, the human.