On August 12, FOX aired a TMZ special report called “The Real Hulk Hogan.” For this special, TMZ interviewed a laundry list of wrestlers and entertainers to try to understand the real Hulk Hogan and his legacy.
The list of those interviewed included Vince McMahon, Sylvester Stallone, Jimmy Hart, Bill Goldberg, Mick Foley, Mark Henry, and Dave Meltzer. These interviews revealed not only previously unknown details about Hogan’s life, but also brought to light their thoughts on him.
Reactions to Hulk Hogan’s Death
The special began with the interviewees talking about their initial reactions to hearing about Hogan’s death. McMahon revealed he was in shock, as he never thought Hogan would die with all that he had been through. He felt it was like the death of a family member, and said it was “a blow to my heart.”
Goldberg, Hart, and Stallone also shared their disbelief in the news. Foley said he was touched by those who came out with fond memories about Hogan, but he was disappointed in those who came out lashing out at him. He said it hurts him to see those comments, and he knows that it hurts his family
Hulk Hogan in Rocky III
Stallone revealed what it was like working with Hogan on the set of Rocky III. He said the two had not met prior to filming. On set, according to Stallone, Hogan was self-deprecating, loud, welcoming, and had a glow to him.
He was also impressed with how careful Hogan was with him during his scenes. He said that although Hogan threw him around, he made sure to take the brunt of the impacts.
Hogan Behind Closed Doors
The interviewees also revealed stories about what Hogan was like away from the cameras. Hart said that when Hogan met with children for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he got down on the ground to play with them and talk with them.
When they would leave, Hogan would cry. Hart said it tore him apart seeing children like that. Charlotte Flair revealed that Hogan was the first man to visit her father, Ric, when he was in the hospital.
Foley told the story of Hogan calling him out for a lack of work ethic. Foley was hurt by those comments, but he said Hogan went out of his way to apologize on camera for those comments. This marked the last time the two talked in person.
Hogan’s Comments
When Hogan’s racist remarks became public in 2015, many of the interviewees were caught off guard. McMahon stated that racist comments are unforgivable, but that comments like that were not like Hogan’s. He insisted Hogan was not a racist, yet it was best for the WWE as a company to fire him and separate from him for a time.
The most interesting comments on the subject came from Henry. On tape, Hogan called himself a racist. Henry questioned why he would try to defend someone who admitted to being a racist.
Those comments hurt him because he looked up to Hogan while growing up. He said he suggested to Hogan and McMahon that Hogan do a black college tour and be honest about an apology, but Hogan said he was advised not to talk about it anymore. Henry responded by saying that he received bad advice.
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