AJ Francis expressed that he feels diminished by Hulk Hogan’s racist remarks from 2015. During an appearance on the Ariel Helwani show, Francis shared his current perspective on Hogan, noting that his feelings toward the wrestling legend had shifted and that Hogan no longer viewed him in the same light.
Francis was upfront about being willing to confront Hogan directly, stating, “Times have changed. I don’t feel the same way. Let’s be real. I won’t. I’ll say that to his face too.” When asked if Hogan could do anything to earn back his respect, Francis emphasized that a genuine, comprehensive apology would be the first step. While he acknowledged Hogan as one of wrestling’s greats, Francis felt personally undermined by some of Hogan’s past comments and clarified that he never said he would completely dismiss Hogan.
Francis added that he was not present when Hogan issued his apology, but based on feedback from those who were, it seemed insincere. Because those directly affected didn’t accept the apology, Francis sees no reason for him to accept it either.
He stated, “He can actually make a real apology, and the truth is, whether you like him or not, he is one of the top performers in the business. But I’m personally downplayed by some of the things he said. No, I wasn’t there when he apologized, but from what I’ve heard, there wasn’t much. The people who were directly involved at the time didn’t buy it, so why should I do it?”
Additionally, Shelton Benjamin has openly expressed strong resentment towards Hogan due to the same racist comments. While it remains uncertain if Hogan will ever release an apology that satisfies fans and peers, many doubt that such an apology will come.
Fan Take:
This revelation matters to WWE fans because it highlights the ongoing impact of past controversies on current relationships within the wrestling community. How Hogan handles this could influence the sport’s culture moving forward, emphasizing the need for accountability and genuine reconciliation in wrestling.
