Few figures in wrestling have divided opinion in recent years quite like Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon.
Vince McMahon’s role in expanding WWE in the 1980s is well documented – taking the company national, betting big on pay-per-view, and transforming wrestling into a mainstream entertainment juggernaut.
Hogan was his ultimate poster boy. The all-American superhero, the man who slammed Andre, sold out stadiums, shifted mountains of merchandise and became the face of Hulkamania. For much of that golden era, McMahon and Hogan were inseparable – the promoter and his megastar.
That partnership’s legacy has taken on an even more poignant tone following Hogan’s death in July from a heart attack at the age of 71. The multi-time former champion left behind a wrestling career like no other.
McMahon’s time in WWE ended in controversy, however. Hit with horrific allegations of sexual trafficking during his time in office – which he has always denied – he resigned as a Director of TKO, the entity serving as WWE’s parent company in 2024 and hasn’t been seen on wrestling TV for years.
Hogan, meanwhile, remained arguably wrestling’s biggest household name but, in recent years, appeared less frequently for WWE following his use of homophobic language in a recording leaked to the public.
Vince McMahon slams WWE over Hulk Hogan’s final appearance
In his final appearance for the company, he arrived to the tune of his iconic ‘Real American’ entrance theme to promote a new beer product but was met with a mixed reaction.
The cheers that were present were drowned out by boos which Hogan later claimed were politically motivated, citing his public endorsement of Donald Trump during a prior US election campaign.
McMahon, by that point in 2025, had long since departed as a presence behind the scenes at WWE shows and was seemingly made to do with watching it unfold on Netflix with the rest of the viewing world.
In a rare interview – his first since 2024 – McMahon has now spoken about his close friend’s death, which he called: “a blow to my heart.”
One of his lasting regrets was having seen Hogan’s final outing for WWE, a showing he says left him feeling angry, specifically for its presentation.
“I was angry because we’ve known each other for a lifetime, professionally and personally,” the 79-year-old billionaire said on a TMZ special airing on FOX.
“And setting up, so to speak, this larger-than-life superhero, you don’t just let him walk out there. He deserved something very, very special. More than anyone, they owe him.
“It’s just like: ‘okay, here comes Hulk Hogan.’
“I got angry because that’s not the way I would have done it, and he deserved much more.”
McMahon’s anger was a theme throughout the interview, which touched on Hogan’s key career moments and controversies.
The promoter hinted he was left frustrated at not being able to appear on screen at WWE’s farewell tribute to Hogan – fans were left looking at a photo of him instead – and defended his decision to bring the star back into the fold following the recording scandal that led to his brief firing.
It was, all told, a divisive piece – some fans keen to remember and reflect on Hogan’s immense contribution to the business and, by association, some of McMahon’s, too, while others were uncomfortable watching McMahon’s justification for continuing to work with Hogan.
Others called out what they felt was hypocrisy, too, recalling the many times Hogan wasn’t given the love McMahon feels he so richly deserved. One commented: “Vince has done the exact same thing with Hogan and others multiple times. It’s easy to say these things in hindsight now that Hogan is gone.”
For all the online discourse and debate over McMahon and Hogan, there did appear to be one uniting opinion on which the vast majority shared the same view: whether the boos were fully justified or unfair, Hogan’s final WWE appearance now seems sadder send-off than ever.
Hulk Hogan’s legacy after final WWE send-off sparks debate
One fan wrote: “Crowds can be unpredictable, but Hogan’s legacy in wrestling is undeniable.”
Another added: “I blame how they did it… Horrible promo… He should have come to the ring in the Yellow and Red one last time waving an American Flag and given a Netflix promo like you’ve never seen before, brother!”
“No one thought that would be his last appearance,” noted a third, while a fourth said: “I can’t be at peace with what’s been done and said but knowing the Netflix show is the last thing WWE fans will remember him for is a little tragic, no doubt.”
Undeniable also are Hogan’s accomplishments.
First winning the WWE title in the mid-1980s to launch what became Hulkamania, he captured the same title a further four times, his final reign coming in 1993.
In pop culture he was arguably the first wrestler to branch out into Hollywood fame with roles in Rocky, Suburban Commando and Mr Nanny.
His final wrestling match came in Manchester, England in 2012 for TNA.