Much has been said about Hulk Hogan since the WWE icon’s death in July 2025 aged 71. Recently, TMZ presented ‘The Real Hulk Hogan’ though Jim Ross believes that Hogan’s reality was far from the focal point.
On his Grilling JR podcast, Ross argued that the video glossed over too much. Ross argued that the only negativity addressed was Hogan’s leaked sex tape that derailed the icon’s career in 2015. As for the rest of the documentary, “everything else is hearts and flowers and apple pie and ice cream.”
Ross believes that the documentary should have done more with Hogan’s controversies beyond the sex tape, including his alleged politicking. Ross went as far as to call the doc a “fluff piece on steroids,” arguing that an agenda was in place to honor Hogan rather than being brutally honest.
The doc also saw a rare appearance by Vince McMahon who like many in the doc, spoke highly of Hogan. On his podcast, Ross said that McMahon “looked horrible,” adding that he appeared tired and withdrawn. McMahon also seemed “a little frustrated” according to Ross, who suspected that the former WWE CEO regretted agreeing to give an interview.
TMZ’s documentary “didn’t dwell” on Hogan’s racism, according to Ross, and barely touched any of the other controversies to the Hulkster’s name. While many had plenty to say in the video, the tone should have been “stiffer” as far as Hogan’s fellow WWE Hall of Famer is concerned.