A WWE Hall of Famer has revisited the racist comments made by Hulk Hogan in 2012 that surfaced in 2015, which they said “broke their heart”.
Speaking with DJ Vlad, WWE Hall of Famer D-Von Dudley opened up about his reaction to Hulk Hogan’s leaked racist rant, admitting it had a lasting emotional impact on him.
“I idolized that man as a kid,” D-Von said. “I did everything he said to do. Say your prayers, eat your vitamins, train. To hear that broke my heart. How do I even see him again and even respect him as a man?”
D-Von explained that the two had built a friendship during their time together in TNA Wrestling, which made the situation even more difficult to process. He admitted he avoided Hogan for a long period after the controversy surfaced. According to D-Von, Hogan later approached him on multiple occasions to apologise and ask for forgiveness.
“He said, ‘D-Von, I promise you, I am not like that. Give me another chance. All I’m asking for is forgiveness,’” D-Von recalled.
Eventually, D-Von chose to confront the situation directly rather than continue avoiding it.
“Usually I would go the other way because I didn’t want to have nothing to do with him. But I said, no, I’m gonna walk right in his path.”
He said Hogan’s explanation resonated with him, leading to a decision that was guided by his faith.
“I told him, ‘Hulk, I forgive you. I don’t forget it, but I forgive you,’” D-Von said, adding that his beliefs played a key role. “The Bible says if you can’t forgive your brother and sister, then I will not forgive you come time of judgment day.”
D-Von Dudley Spoke About Hulk Hogan’s Wrestling Legacy Despite His Controversies
Despite the controversy, D-Von Dudley also reflected on Hulk Hogan’s legacy in the industry, crediting him with helping shape modern professional wrestling and the success of WrestleMania.
“If there was never a Hulk Hogan, there would be no WrestleMania,” he said.
In the same interview, D-Von also discussed a separate moment from his career, recalling how he felt when Bubba Ray Dudley returned to WWE in 2015 without him. He admitted feeling hurt at the time, though he later understood it as a way to test audience interest before the Dudley Boyz reunited months later on Raw to a strong reception.
