You can’t tell the professional wrestling story of Hulk Hogan without Vince McMahon and vice versa.
McMahon, the former chairman and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), formerly known as WWF, has laid low in recent months after his disgraced exit from the company that made him billions.
The former boss resurfaced, though, shortly after the news that Hulk Hogan died at the age of 71. The two were tied at the hip professionally in the 1980s and 1990s when McMahon strapped the rocket to Hogan and made him the centerpiece of the promotion.
The decision paid off. Hogan became the most popular, best-known professional wrestler in the history of the sport. He is primarily responsible, from an in-ring standpoint at least, for taking the company to never-before-seen heights. WWE wouldn’t be where it is today — valued at about $9 billion — without Hogan paving the way.
McMahon acknowledged as much in a rare statement after the news of Hogan’s death.
“The world lost a treasure today,” McMahon said in a statement posted to his X account. “Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world. He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon.
“His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled — and made him the consummate performer. He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved.
“He leaves us with one of his favorite expressions, ‘Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers.’ Today, we pray for him.”
The relationship between the two wasn’t always great, though. Hogan testified during McMahon’s steroid trial in the 90s and then eventually jumped ship for rival WCW shortly thereafter. Hogan’s move to WCW revitalized and legitimatized the company.
Hogan’s eventual heel turn, one of the most important wrestling storylines of all time, propelled WCW to success. Eventually, the “Monday Night Wars” began, giving McMahon the biggest professional challenge of his career to that point.
Eventually, McMahon won that battle and bought WCW. Hogan eventually returned and had a decent second run, headlined by a match vs. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at WrestleMania 18. However, Hogan then put McMahon and the company in the uncomfortable position of having to remove him from the Hall of Fame after video was leaked of the former champion making racist remarks on a hidden-camera video.
The two sides did eventually reconcile once more, though, and Hogan famously kicked off WrestleMania 30 as part of his return. The company had used him as recently as early 2025 when he cut a promo during the first episode of “Monday Night Raw” on Netflix.
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