The question of whether you should offer condolences after the death of someone you don’t approve of has been around for a while. This debate recently been sparked on social media following the death of Hulk Hogan.
Hogan is arguably the most iconic professional wrestler of all time. His unique look and lovable good guy persona won him countless fans. Within his industry, he is respected for his athletic gifts and role in popularizing his sport.
Still, the man behind the character has a darker reputation: one of publicized personal scandals and a history of racist comments.
To provide context, in 2007, a leaked sex tape showed Hogan go on a slur-filled rant. In the rant, he expressed disapproval of his daughter dating a black man. At the time, Hogan did not know he was being recorded.
While he publicly apologized for these comments, the existence of the tape damaged his image.
Following Hogan’s passing on July 24, several articles came out criticizing the star’s racist behavior. One article published by AP News details how some Black wrestling fans had mixed feelings about his death due to his insensitive comments.
In the wake of his death, many of the posts dedicated to mourning him feature comments critical of his legacy. These comments, in turn, often become the kind of heated debates social media is famous for.
One example is a Hogan tribute video posted from the official WWE X account. While the majority of the comments reminisce about the performer’s legacy, certain commenters point out his flaws
In one instance, a commenter called Hogan a racist. The comment had 67 replies, the majority of which either defended Hogan or insulted the commenter in various vulgar ways.
The inclusion of Hogan’s flaws in public discussion surrounding his death and legacy has caused pushback from more than just online commenters.
Famous WWE commentator Jim Ross spoke against the wave of posthumous criticism on an episode of Grilling Jr. Ross told fans to focus on Hogan’s contributions and sacrifices to the sport over his controversies.
“If you’re a wrestling fan, you can’t do anything but honor his memory. You can’t,” said Ross.
Should a beloved entertainer’s behavior be separated from the memories their performances create? In Hogan’s case, his impact on professional wrestling is undeniable. Still, this doesn’t erase the hurt caused by actions.
When criticizing a recently deceased figure, it is important to consider the feelings of those who are mourning. That being said, many believe you shouldn’t be required to offer condolences for people you don’t believe should be honored.
Ultimately Hogan’s legacy within the ring remains unmatched, but how people choose to remember him is a matter of personal choice.
Editorial Note: Portions of this article were reviewed and refined using AI-assisted editing tools to support grammar, clarity, and style. All content has been fact-checked and approved by our editorial team.
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