When Hulk Hogan (born Terry Bollea) passed away on July 24, 2025, at age 71 following a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, the WWE described him as one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, who helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.
But in 2015, the same WWE terminated his contract after a tape emerged of him using a racist slur. Hogan was heard in the leaked audio commenting about his daughter’s love life after learning that she was dating a Black man.
A transcript obtained and published by Radar Online and the National Inquirer at the time recorded Hogan as saying, “I mean, I’d rather if she was going to f–k some n—-r, I’d rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n—-r worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player…I guess we’re all a little racist. F–king n—-r.”
When news broke of Hogan reportedly using the N-word multiple times, WWE immediately terminated his contract and removed all references to him from its website. His Hall of Fame profile was also removed.
“WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan). WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide,” WWE wrote in a statement.
Hogan subsequently apologized for his behavior.
“Eight years ago, I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it,” the wrestler told People magazine. “This not who I am. I believe very strongly that every person in the world is important and should not be treated differently based on race, gender, orientation, religious beliefs or otherwise.”
The leaked audio was reported to have been part of a 2007 sex tape involving Hogan and Heather Clem, the wife of his friend Bubba the Love Sponge. The tape was leaked in 2012 and became key to Hogan’s $100 million lawsuit against Gawker Media.
In 2018, Hogan was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame. The WWE said at the time that he deserved a second chance after making “numerous apologies and working with young people, where he is helping them learn from his mistake”.
Hogan made his professional wrestling debut in 1977 and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 by Sylvester Stallone.
He became very famous in the 1980s with his “Hulkamania” character and was a fixture for years, wrestling everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock. Hogan also featured in many movies and television shows, including a reality show about his life on VH1, “Hogan Knows Best.”
He was serving as commissioner of Real American Freestyle wrestling at the time of his death. According to Page Six, Hogan died from a heart attack, with records also mentioning a history of atrial fibrillation and chronic leukemia (CLL).
