Hulk Hogan may be one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling history, but not all WWE legends view his legacy favorably. Recently, WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart delivered a candid critique, accusing Hogan of never helping other wrestlers rise to the top once he became a superstar. This rare public rebuke adds fuel to ongoing debates about Hogan’s impact backstage and his role in building future generations of talent.
Bret Hart’s Stark Assessment of Hogan’s Legacy
In a recent interview conducted in Germany with media personality Walandi Tsanti, Bret Hart did not hold back his opinion regarding Hogan’s contribution—or lack thereof—to other wrestlers’ careers. Hart acknowledged the support he himself received from other legends like Roddy Piper and Mr. Perfect early in his career but claimed Hogan never extended such a hand to anyone else once he became the industry’s top guy.
“When I look back on my career and in the wrestling industry, I look back at what Roddy and Mr. Perfect did for me. I can tell you that Hulk Hogan never did that for anybody,” Hart said. “He’d rather see the company sink than actually come back and help make the next star, which in wrestling that’s kind of how it always works.”[1]
Hart’s comments suggest that Hogan, despite his monumental popularity and influence, prioritized his own position over fostering new talents—a criticism that contrasts with the traditional wrestling ethos of veterans passing the torch.
The Context Behind Hart’s Criticism
Hogan’s career was filled with groundbreaking moments, including multiple WWE and WCW championship reigns, and he was instrumental in wrestling’s global boom during the 1980s and 1990s. However, Hogan’s backstage reputation has long been divisive. Critics argue that his enormous ego and control over creative directions hampered the rise of other wrestlers, sometimes even eclipsing worthy talent.
Sources close to the WWE locker room reveal that Hogan’s contract once granted him significant creative control, allowing him to veto storylines and influence booking decisions—an unusual power that not all peers welcomed. According to a WWE insider:
“Hogan’s influence was huge, but with that came a reluctance to share the spotlight. There were times when younger talent felt sidelined because Hogan wasn’t interested in elevating others once he reached the top.”[4]
This sentiment echoes Bret Hart’s experience and underlines ongoing backstage tensions regarding Hogan’s approach to his legacy.
Controversies Clouding Hogan’s Later Career
Adding to the complexity of Hogan’s legacy were multiple scandals throughout his life that affected public perception and backstage relationships. Notably, Hogan faced a highly publicized legal battle, racist remarks that tainted his reputation, and a humiliating on-screen WWE firing linked to contract disputes with Vince McMahon. These incidents further complicated how fans and fellow wrestlers regarded him in his later years[2][5].
Despite his undeniable role as a wrestling pioneer, many wrestlers, including industry veterans like Scott Steiner and Booker T, have expressed mixed feelings about Hogan. Booker T even joked about the widespread negative chants Hogan faced during WWE events, underscoring the polarizing nature of Hogan’s career[3].
Hogan’s Impact vs. His Backstage Relationships
While Hulk Hogan is celebrated for putting wrestling on the map and creating a marketable wrestling persona, Bret Hart and others argue that true greatness also involves elevating others and securing the future of the sport. Hart’s viewpoint reflects a broader dialogue about the responsibility superstars carry to help emerging talent break through.
This insider perspective is crucial for wrestling historians and fans alike:
- Roddy Piper and Mr. Perfect, cited by Hart, are praised for mentoring future stars.
- Hogan’s alleged unwillingness to assist others contrasts sharply with this tradition.
- The wrestling world sometimes pits Hogan’s commercial success against his backstage generosity.
Backstage Sources Confirm Division in Locker Room
A WWE insider familiar with locker room dynamics affirmed that Hogan’s legacy divides opinion among current and former wrestlers:
“Some respect Hogan for what he did outside the ring, but others feel he left a lot of talent overlooked while he guarded his own position. There’s no question he was a trailblazer, but not everyone agrees he was a trailblazer for others.”[1][4]
This nuanced view suggests that Hogan’s contributions to wrestling history are inseparable from ongoing conversations about fairness, mentorship, and power within the business.
The Continued Debate Over Hogan’s Wrestling Legacy
As wrestling fans and professionals reflect on Hogan’s passing in July 2025, discussions about his dual legacy—both as a superstar and a controversial figure—are unlikely to fade. Bret Hart’s frank criticism highlights unresolved questions about Hogan’s role in shaping the wrestling industry beyond the ring.
For many, Hogan will always represent wrestling’s golden era; for others, his story is a cautionary tale about the costs of stardom without mentorship. As one source close to the industry summarized:
“Hogan’s legacy is complicated. He was the face of wrestling when it exploded into mainstream culture. But legends are also remembered for lifting others up — and that’s where Hogan’s story is still contested.”[1]
This ongoing debate reflects the complexities of wrestling politics and personal relationships behind the spectacle of sports entertainment.
Hogan’s influence was undeniable, but as Bret Hart and various industry insiders reveal, the question remains: Did Hulk Hogan’s pursuit of superstardom come at the expense of the stars that could have followed?