Nick Hogan, son of wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, has taken significant legal action aimed at preventing the release of a controversial documentary by radio host Bubba The Love Sponge. The lawsuit, filed on September 2nd in federal court in Florida, alleges that Bubba’s upcoming film, Video Killed The Radio Star: The Untold Story Of The Hulk Hogan Sex Tape Scandal, unlawfully uses Hulk Hogan’s intellectual property and violates a confidential 2012 settlement agreement between Bubba and Hulk Hogan.
Background: The Hulk Hogan Sex Tape Scandal and Legal History
The dispute stems from a scandal nearly 13 years prior involving a sex tape featuring Hulk Hogan and Heather Clem, the then-wife of Bubba The Love Sponge (real name Todd Alan Clem). The tape was leaked to the public by the now-defunct Gawker website in 2012, sparking multiple lawsuits. Hulk Hogan sued Gawker for invasion of privacy and defamation, resulting in a landmark $140 million judgment in Hogan’s favor, which ultimately led to Gawker’s bankruptcy.
Simultaneously, Hulk Hogan settled with Bubba and Heather Clem over their involvement in the incident. Details of that settlement, according to court records, remain confidential but are central to the current lawsuit dispute.
The Lawsuit: Allegations and Claims by Nick Hogan
In the freshly filed lawsuit, Nick Hogan represents the estate of his late father, who passed away in July 2025. The legal complaint targets Bubba The Love Sponge for:
- Unauthorized use of Hulk Hogan’s trademarks and copyrighted images related to the sex tape in promoting and previewing the documentary.
- Including actual footage and images from the scandalous tape without permission, some of which appeared in a recently released trailer for the documentary.
- Breach of the 2012 settlement agreement between Hulk Hogan and Bubba Clem, which purportedly prohibits such disclosures and use of material related to the sex tape.
Nick Hogan is seeking a federal injunction to immediately block the documentary’s release and is pursuing additional unspecified financial damages for the alleged infringements.
Bubba’s Documentary: What Is At Stake?
The documentary titled Video Killed The Radio Star: The Untold Story Of The Hulk Hogan Sex Tape Scandal aims to revisit and reveal details of the controversial sex tape saga from Bubba’s perspective. The film promises to expose “the real story” behind how the scandal unfolded publicly, including Bubba’s personal account.
Sources close to the wrestling community suggest that the documentary plans to capitalize on the enduring public fascination with Hulk Hogan’s career and the sensational nature of the scandal. However, the lawsuit underscores the estate’s determination to control how the late wrestling legend’s legacy is handled in media portrayals.
A WWE insider shared:
“Hulk Hogan’s family has always been protective of his brand and legacy, especially after the controversies. The estate views this documentary as a violation of that protection and a potential source of renewed negative publicity.”
Impact on WWE and Wrestling Community
Although Hulk Hogan’s wrestling career had its moments of controversy, he remained a revered figure in WWE until his passing. Following the initial sex tape scandal and related fallout including Hogan’s temporary removal from WWE programming in 2015 the wrestling community maintained a complicated relationship with the superstar.
The release of the documentary could reopen old wounds for fans and wrestlers alike. Industry insiders speculate that WWE might be concerned about potential backlash or renewed scrutiny over the legacy of one of the company’s biggest stars.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
This lawsuit is a critical step in protecting Hulk Hogan’s estate from unauthorized exploitation of highly sensitive and private content. The filing points to potential copyright infringement, trademark violations, and breach of contract all serious allegations that could lead to the documentary being permanently blocked if the court sides with Nick Hogan.
Given the confidentiality of the 2012 settlement, much of the dispute hinges on what legal restrictions were placed on Bubba concerning the sex tape footage and related materials. As of now, Bubba The Love Sponge has not publicly responded to the lawsuit.