During Sunday night’s Emmy Awards, the “In Memoriam” segment drew attention not only for who was honored, but for who was absent. Wrestling fans were quick to notice the omission of Hulk Hogan, one of the most recognizable names in the industry.
According to Linda Hogan, the wrestler’s ex-wife, the absence was intentional. In comments to TMZ, she suggested the decision was politically motivated, citing Hogan’s outspoken support of conservative causes and his appearance at last year’s Republican National Convention alongside Donald Trump.
An Emmys representative later clarified that Hogan, along with other figures such as horror actor Tony Todd and Sopranos star Jerry Adler, appears in a more extensive online version of the tribute. That version, however, is presented as a scrolling list of names rather than the full televised production.
The controversy reflects the divisive final years of Hogan’s life. His embrace of the MAGA movement and inflammatory political statements compounded earlier scandals, including the 2015 leak of a recording in which he used racist language. That incident resulted in a temporary dismissal from WWE and left lasting damage to his reputation.
Linda Hogan defended his place in the tribute, emphasizing his cultural influence and his role in introducing generations to professional wrestling. His omission underscores the unresolved debate over his legacy, where groundbreaking contributions to the sport remain inseparable from the controversies and political stances that defined his later years.