A recent tribute to Hulk Hogan by WWE did not include a homage from Roman Reigns, which surprised many fans. Two weeks ago, WWE honored the legendary wrestler with a 10-bell salute during both Raw and Smackdown, featuring numerous wrestlers on stage. However, Roman Reigns was noticeably absent from this tribute.
According to Billi Bhatti from the Dirty Sheet Wrestling Informer Podcast, there is no bad blood between Roman Reigns and Hulk Hogan. The two actually know each other through connections in the Tampa area. The decision for Reigns to skip the tribute was made for creative reasons.
Bhatti explained, “There is no issue between Roman Reigns and Hulk Hogan. They are familiar due to the Tampa region ties. But Roman Reigns’ character didn’t feel it was fitting to participate in the tribute segment. It was collectively agreed upon that his character would not acknowledge Hogan’s passing.”
Reports indicate that Triple H felt Reigns’ current on-screen character wouldn’t suit the tribute, though Bhatti disagreed, arguing that honoring wrestling legends should come before character storylines. Regardless, fans have little influence over this creative choice at this point.
Moving forward, WWE’s future tributes will show how they continue to celebrate Hulk Hogan’s legacy. Though Hogan has passed away, his spirit and influence remain alive for many fans, reinforcing why he is considered immortal in wrestling history.
What are your thoughts on Hulk Hogan’s WWE tribute? Should WWE have insisted that Roman Reigns join the rest of the roster? Share your opinions in the comments below!
Fan Take: This news highlights the ongoing tension between character storytelling and honoring wrestling legends in WWE. For fans, it’s a reminder that while creative decisions shape the show, the respect and legacy of icons like Hulk Hogan remain deeply significant to the sport’s history and community.
