Shawn Michaels Reveals Why WWE Wrestlers Hate Hulk Hogan

He’s a WWE legend, a two-time Hall of Famer, and arguably the face of the wrestling boom of the ’80s.
But according to Shawn Michaels, the man behind Hulkamania isn’t quite as beloved behind the curtain.

In a rare and brutally honest moment, The Heartbreak Kid finally opened up about why so many WWE wrestlers — past and present — have serious issues with Hulk Hogan. And what he revealed shines a spotlight on decades of backstage resentment, manipulation, and ego clashes that WWE has kept under wraps.

“He Played The Game Better Than Anyone — But At Everyone Else’s Expense.”

During a candid podcast appearance, Shawn Michaels was asked if he ever had real tension with Hulk Hogan. His answer?

“It wasn’t just me. A lot of the boys had heat with Hulk — and for good reason.”

Shawn didn’t mince words. According to him, Hogan was a master backstage politician, often using his influence to bury rising stars, rewrite finishes, and protect his own image — even if it meant hurting the careers of others.

“You’d show up thinking you were doing business, and suddenly the match changed. The ending changed. The spotlight changed. And guess who it always benefited?”

Michaels didn’t even have to say it. Everyone knew.

The Infamous SummerSlam Incident

Their own issues famously came to a head at SummerSlam 2005, when Michaels was booked to lose to Hogan in a dream match.
The original plan? A trilogy of matches — Hogan wins one, Shawn wins one, and the final would settle it.

But Hogan reportedly refused to return the favor after his win. He wanted the one-and-done, with him going over.

Shawn’s response?

He oversold the match into oblivion, flipping and flopping like a cartoon character, turning what should’ve been a classic into a not-so-subtle mockery.

Fans thought it was hilarious. Backstage? It was pure tension.

“I was told it was going to be a program,” Shawn later said. “When it wasn’t, I figured… fine. I’ll do what’s asked. But I’ll do it my way.”

Why So Many Wrestlers Feel the Same

Shawn isn’t the only one who’s voiced issues with Hogan. Here’s a quick roll call of others who’ve hinted at — or openly criticized — the Hulkster:

Bret Hart: Called Hogan selfish and said he “never passed the torch.”

Randy Savage: Had a long-standing personal and professional rivalry with Hogan that never truly ended.

Ultimate Warrior: Claimed Hogan manipulated his career behind the scenes.

Steve Austin: Never worked a program with Hogan and often danced around questions about him with visible discomfort.

The pattern? Hogan always came out on top, and often at the expense of younger or more popular talent.

The Legacy Question: Did Hogan Help… or Hurt?

Shawn Michaels raised a valid point during his appearance:

“Hulk helped build the business, no doubt. But he also held it back when it needed to evolve.”

While Hogan was a megastar in the ’80s and ’90s, many believe his refusal to lose clean, share the spotlight, or support the next generation of talent stalled WWE’s evolution during key moments.

It wasn’t until Hogan’s influence faded that stars like Austin, Rock, Triple H, and Shawn truly rose to the top without interference.

Final Thoughts

Shawn Michaels’ recent comments confirmed what many wrestlers have whispered for years: behind the tan, the mustache, and the “brother”-speak, Hulk Hogan was one of the most divisive figures in wrestling history.

Loved by fans. Resented by many in the locker room. Protected by power.
And now, finally being called out.

Because while Hulkamania may never die… the truth has finally body-slammed the legend.