WWE legend B. Brian Blair criticized roster members who opted out of the company’s recent tributes to Hulk Hogan, labeling their decision “disrespectful.” WWE held 10-bell salutes for Hogan on SmackDown, RAW, and NXT following his death. While many active and former wrestlers gathered on stage, some chose to remain backstage.
Appearing on the Monte & The Pharaoh show, Blair argued that these wrestlers fail to understand Hogan’s foundational role in the industry. He also stated that former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon would have ensured full participation from the roster.
“They didn’t really know Terry,” Blair said. “They don’t realize what he went through so that they can make a freaking living. If it wasn’t for Hogan, none of them would be making a living like they are right now. That’s a fact. I guarantee you that. Go back to WrestleMania 1, who you gonna put there? You’re right too. I guarantee you if Vince was there, they’d have had their b—tts out there. I mean, that was disrespectful.”
The company-wide tributes followed Hogan’s death at his home in Clearwater, Florida, on July 24. The Pinellas County Forensic Science Center later confirmed the official cause of death was an acute myocardial infarction, or a heart attack.
The forensic report also noted that Hogan, 71, had a history of atrial fibrillation and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. These pre-existing conditions were listed as contributing factors in his death.
Blair, best known as one-half of The Killer Bees tag team, wrestled for WWE from 1985 to 1988.