Hulk Hogan’s death last week at the age of 71 sparked tributes from across the wrestling world — from fans who grew up watching him drop the big leg in the WWF to wrestlers who credit him with helping transform their industry into a global phenomenon. But if you thought the mourning period would keep the knives in their sheaths, think again.
ESPN’s Andscape writer David Dennis Jr. used the moment to unload on Hogan in a piece bluntly titled “Hulk Hogan’s Legacy Isn’t Complicated.” And if you thought he might balance the good with the bad, well, no. Dennis made it clear: Hogan’s legacy, in his view, boils down to one thing — racism.
Hulk Hogan admitted that he is a racist. He once told his son he was scared Karma would bring them back as Black men. When you are a racist that is your legacy above all else.
It’s not complicated. This is what I wrote. https://t.co/2gr7p52KgE
— David Dennis Jr. (@DavidDTSS) July 24, 2025
“Hulk Hogan is a self-admitted racist who was caught on tape using the N-word freely on multiple occasions and also dreading the idea that his son’s arrest could mean that the two could be reincarnated as Black men,” Dennis wrote. “When that is part of your legacy, it becomes singularly defining … Hogan died being known a racist who also became famous as a professional wrestler. He only has himself to blame for that.”
In other words, forget the decades-long career. Forget that Hogan was one of the most recognizable pop culture icons of the 1980s and 1990s.
Forget that his charisma helped wrestling evolve from niche entertainment into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. Dennis’ position? None of that matters anymore.
The backlash was swift. Critics slammed the piece as tasteless for coming just days after Hogan’s death, arguing that it reduced an entire career — and a man’s life — to his worst moments. But Dennis doubled down, saying Hogan’s “character-defining” racism eclipsed all else.
It’s worth noting: Hogan wasn’t without his controversies outside the racial scandal. He’s long been accused of politicking behind the scenes to protect his spot at the top, even using creative control clauses to ensure favorable match outcomes. He also admitted to helping shut down a push for a wrestler’s union, a sore spot for colleagues like Jesse Ventura.
Even so, the wrestling world hasn’t joined Dennis’ rush to define Hogan by his lowest points. WWE honored Hogan on Friday night with a ten-bell salute, and tributes from fans and former colleagues continue to pour in.
