John Cena Reveals Why He Hated Hulk Hogan

The Untold Story of Hulk Hogan: Betrayal, Scandal, and the Wrestling Industry’s Reckoning

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John Cena sat down for an interview, his voice steady but his words cutting deep:
“I can’t knock what I was saying about him before. Now I just don’t like the guy personally.”
It was the moment fans had long suspected would come—Cena admitting he never liked Hulk Hogan. But why? What secrets lay behind the legendary persona of the man who once taught millions to train hard, say their prayers, and eat their vitamins?

Backstage Betrayals: The Union That Never Was

To understand the animosity, we must first acknowledge Hogan’s monumental impact. In the 1980s and early ’90s, he transformed wrestling into a global spectacle. Yet, beneath the surface, a darker narrative unfolded—a story of betrayal and self-interest that would haunt the industry for decades.

Jesse “The Body” Ventura, a respected wrestler and former governor, revealed the deepest cut:
“Never. Can’t trust him. I don’t I’m not friends with anyone I don’t trust. And he’s the one that ratted me to Vince when I tried to unionize.”

In 1986, Ventura rallied WWE performers to demand better pay and benefits. Wrestlers were classified as independent contractors, denied basic protections. Hogan, earning more than the entire locker room combined, chose self-preservation. He tipped off Vince McMahon, who crushed the union effort. Ventura discovered the truth years later, in a lawsuit—McMahon confirmed Hogan was the informant.

Hogan later admitted, “I was making more money than anybody and didn’t want equal pay.”
This single act denied generations of wrestlers better working conditions, healthcare, and retirement. The consequences echo to this day: No union exists in wrestling.

Politics and Power: Manipulating the Spotlight

Hogan’s betrayal wasn’t an isolated incident. Throughout his career, he wielded creative control to protect his status—often at the expense of rising stars.
Bret “The Hitman” Hart, one of wrestling’s finest technicians, accused Hogan of refusing to lose cleanly and lying about future plans. Hart called Hogan a liar, criticizing his ego for stifling new talent.

The Undertaker, a locker room legend, faced Hogan’s manipulations as well. After a match in 1991, Hogan accused him of causing a neck injury—a claim video footage disproved. The Undertaker later realized Hogan faked the injury to protect his image.

And then there was Macho Man Randy Savage. Once friends, their relationship soured over jealousy and paranoia, culminating in a backstage punch that left Hogan with a black eye before Wrestlemania IX.

The Dark Side of the Ring: Steroids and Scandal

But Hogan’s legacy was marred by more than backstage politics. In 1994, he testified under immunity at Vince McMahon’s steroid trial, admitting to 14 years of anabolic steroid use.
He estimated that 75–80% of wrestlers in the ’80s used steroids.
Hogan’s testimony contradicted earlier denials and shattered his image as a wholesome role model. The culture he helped normalize would contribute to countless health problems and premature deaths.

Personal Scandals: Racism, Family Turmoil, and Public Downfall

The foundation of Hogan’s image—wholesomeness and moral clarity—crumbled in 2015. A leaked sex tape from 2007 exposed not just infidelity, but a pattern of racist language. Hogan used the n-word multiple times, expressing discomfort with his daughter dating a black man.
Another audio clip revealed even deeper prejudices.

WWE responded swiftly, terminating his contract and erasing him from their history.
Hogan’s attempts to explain only further damaged his credibility, revealing a fundamental misunderstanding of accountability.

His personal life spiraled:

Daughter Brooke alleged years of verbal and mental abuse.
His marriage to Linda ended in a public, bitter divorce.
Son Nick’s car accident left a friend with lifelong injuries, and Hogan’s comments about the tragedy drew outrage.

Legacy and Reckoning: A Cautionary Tale

The cumulative effect was devastating. The hero who preached virtue was revealed as a man whose family was fractured, whose relationships were marked by betrayal, and whose private beliefs contradicted everything he claimed to represent.

For wrestlers like John Cena, the disappointment runs deeper than personal dislike. Hogan’s choices actively harmed the industry—denying wrestlers basic protections, manipulating opportunities, and damaging the reputation of professional wrestling.

Cena, by contrast, has elevated new talent and broken records for charitable work, embodying the leadership Hogan never embraced.
The wrestling world has evolved, with modern policies for wellness and anti-bullying—but Hogan’s legacy remains a cautionary tale.

In the end, the story of Hulk Hogan is not just about missed opportunities and broken relationships. It’s a reminder that the choices of those in power can shape an entire industry—for better or worse.

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