The wrestling world has come together to honor Hulk Hogan, who passed away at 71 from a heart attack on July 24th, but his controversial past has also resurfaced. WWE NXT star Jamar Hampton was among those who criticized the tribute. During Tuesday’s WWE NXT episode, which included a 10-bell salute and Hogan’s memorial package airing on Raw and Smackdown, Hampton shared his views on Instagram. Known for competing in WWE LFG’s first season and wrestling in WWE Evolve and NXT, Hampton questioned whether Hogan deserved celebration, urging people to research his past. He also posted a link to a YouTube video featuring the leaked 2007 sex tape in which Hogan made racist remarks. After the tape’s 2015 release by Gawker, WWE severed ties with Hogan until 2018, when he returned at Saudi Arabia’s Crown Jewel, and he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame just last July.
Meanwhile, some of Hogan’s friends have defended him against his critics following his death, even before Hampton’s comments. WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash, who was close to Hogan during their WCW days in the NWO, expressed frustration over the negativity, urging critics to consider Hogan’s family and legacy. Another Hall of Famer, D-Von Dudley, shared on the Duke Loves Rasslin podcast that without Hogan, there might be no WWE, AEW, or TNA. Still, he acknowledged it’s difficult to overlook Hogan’s controversial history.
Fan Take: This news highlights the complex legacy of one of wrestling’s most iconic figures, forcing WWE fans to reconcile his tremendous impact on the industry with his troubling past. It’s a pivotal moment for the sport, pushing it to confront how it honors legends while addressing controversies that shape their legacies.
