The most famous and emblematic American hero of his time, he defended us against the offenses of foreigners, fairies, and egoists. He abused illegal steroids, but denied it so he could be a good role model for generations of children for whom he recommended more traditional vitamins.
Behind the scenes, he ratted out his fellow wrestlers as they sought healthcare and labor protections from a boss who exploited them. Disgraced and erased after leaked audio of his bigoted remarks surfaced in 2015, he was later redeemed and reclaimed, as attitudes shifted to make room for bigotry, even in our heroes.
Hulk Hogan died of heart failure on July 24, 2025. Now that his family, his friends, and his millions of fans have had time to mourn, we feel it is our responsibility to talk about Hulk Hogan, less as an action figure, and more as an historical figure.
Somebody had to.
To help me, I’ve invited back media critic and wrestling fan Sarah Kurchak and wrestling’s world-leading scholar, Dr. Sharon Mazer. Sarah joined us from Toronto and Sarah from New Zealand, where she had been in high demand as an interviewee on the day of Hogan’s demise.
Early on, we threw off the thoughtless reverence that accompanied such early reports, while embracing nostalgia and compassion for a man who was a hero of mine three decades ago. When Sharon suggested that he died knowing his actions and his words had alienated the majority of the wrestling world, I genuinely felt sorry for him, as you can hear and/or see.
The most relevant previous episode of Wrestling Darkness, and all of the others, are listed below with hyperlinks.
Ep. 5: Why wrestling fans boo Hulk Hogan
Boos and screams of “Nobody cares!” and “f***ing b******t!” drowned out Hulk Hogan’s pitch for his homophobic beer brand. Why are today’s wrestling fans so sick of yesterday’s hero, and what might it mean for America’s future?
To support Wrestling Darkness and other content on the Eric Byler Substack feed, please subscribe or make a tax deductible donation.
Episode 2 — Wrestling Has Infected Everything
In which we trace wrestling’s important impact on entertainment, cable news, culture, and politics in the U.S., as well as the psychology of fandom, and the appetite for Mr. Trump’s carnival of fascism.
Episode 3 — How to Please a Demigod
In which we speak to two Australian university students who posed as MAGA fans in order to interview Trump supporters and attend one of Mr. Trump’s political rallies.
Episode 4 — Age of the Fantasist
In which Prof. Larry Lessig explains the impact of the algorithms that govern social media, and how a pro-wrestling standard for authenticity has impacted social media, and thereby politics and culture.
Episode 5 — Why Wrestling Fans Boo Hulk Hogan
In which wrestling experts Sharon Mazer and Sarah Kurchak offer a closer analysis of professional wrestling in its current incarnation.
Episode 6 — The Stubborn Illusion of the Theatrical
Wrestling experts Sharon and Sarah comment on the fiasco in the Oval Office starring President Trump and President Zzelenskyy, then predict the future of Trump’s America, including, correctly, the break with Elon Musk and Mr. Trump.
Episode 7 — Sins of the Algorithmic Curator
Follows on from Episode 4 and the impact of algorithms and social media technology with author and expert Renee DiResta
Episode 8 — Virtual Manhood, Virtual Rape
Connects back to “Woman Hating” and it’s most sinister manifestations online, including death threats, rape threats and “Deep Fake Porn” targeting outspoken women, with author and expert Nina Jankowicz.
Episode 9 This Molten Thing About Interracial Sex
The intersection of race, sex, and politics in America with historian Tim Tyson, focusing on his bestselling books “The Blood of Emmitt Till” and “Blood Done Sign My Name.”
Episode 10 and Episode 11 White Genocide, Black Fatigue
Two-part interview with author and political theorist Sisonke Msimang about South Africa and the United States. Episode 10 focuses on her memoir, “Always Another Country.” Episode 11 debunks President Trump’s fable about a “white genocide” in South Africa.
