Kazeem Famuyide shares emotional reaction to Hulk Hogan’s death
Kazeem Famuyide, the first Black scriptwriter to tour with WWE talent, says Hulk Hogan was his childhood superhero. One of his earliest memories is watching Hogan wrestle in the 1988 Survivor Series with his father.
Now 38 and co-host of The Ringer Wrestling Show, Famuyide admits Hogan helped shape his love for wrestling. But after Hogan’s death at age 71, Famuyide feels torn. “He was a superhero to a lot of people, including myself,” he said.
Hogan helped wrestling grow but left a painful legacy
Many Black wrestling fans feel stuck between two truths. Hulk Hogan expanded wrestling’s popularity across races and ages. Yet his history of racist behavior makes him hard to fully embrace.
“You never really got the feeling that Hulk Hogan truly felt remorse,” Famuyide said. His words speak to the deeper pain felt by many fans today.
WWE fans divide on how to mourn Hogan
Podcast host Bomani Jones says reactions to Hogan’s death show a cultural divide. Some fans overlook his past, focusing only on his legacy. Others can’t forget what he said or who he supported politically.
“This was never going to be one where people were going to mourn quietly,” said Jones. Hogan was both a hero and a symbol of betrayal to different people.
Black wrestlers praise Hogan’s influence, yet recall harm
After Hogan’s death, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson called him a “hero to millions of little kids.” Johnson even said Hogan once “passed the torch” to him at WrestleMania.
Other Black WWE stars like Booker T and Jazz also succeeded during Hogan’s era. Yet many still remember moments when the WWE used racist tropes or sidelined Black talent.
Racial slurs and political alliances hurt Hogan’s image
Hogan’s reputation took a serious hit in 2015. A leaked recording showed him using the n-word while speaking about his daughter’s Black ex-boyfriend.
He later apologized, calling his words “unacceptable.” But his close friendship with Donald Trump made many Black fans question his sincerity. “It’s another thing to publicly align with causes that target us,” Jones added.
Wrestling’s racism goes beyond just one man
Lyric Swinton, a Black wrestling writer, remembers when WWE gave Black wrestlers offensive storylines. She cites Shelton Benjamin being given a “mammy” character as one painful example.
While WWE has improved in some areas, Swinton says she once felt like she had to “check her Blackness at the door” just to enjoy the sport.
Mixed emotions echo across Black wrestling community
Sports journalist Master Tesfatsion says wrestling often mirrors American society. He remembers WWE plotlines that used harmful stereotypes about Mexicans and Black Americans.
He was in the crowd during Hogan’s final appearance in January. Despite being a lifelong fan, he booed. “That’s what his actions made me do,” he said.
Wrestling remains beloved, even through the pain
Despite the hurt, Tesfatsion says he won’t stop loving wrestling. The sport still holds emotional value for him, even if Hogan’s legacy feels complicated.
“I still love America, I still love the WWE,” he said. “It’s an emotional contradiction that I choose to deal with.”
