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Hulk Hogan may be one of the most recognizable names in pro wrestling history, but behind the curtain, the “Immortal One” was far from universally loved. For many of his peers, Hogan wasn’t a hero — he was a manipulator, an egomaniac, and in some cases, the ultimate betrayer. Here are 10 wrestling stars who openly despised Hulk Hogan, and the reasons may shock you.
10. Doink the Clown (Matt Bourne)
Matt Bourne, the original Doink the Clown, called Hogan a “phony” and claimed he couldn’t even look him in the eye backstage. Bourne’s issue wasn’t jealousy over title shots — it was Hogan’s hypocrisy. To him, Hogan’s “say your prayers and take your vitamins” persona was a façade that didn’t match his real-life behavior.
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9. Bruno Sammartino
The legendary Bruno Sammartino, who held the WWE title for 11 years, despised Hogan’s cartoonish approach and steroid-fueled image. He even refused WWE Hall of Fame induction while Hogan was still the face of the company, calling him an “idiot” who represented everything wrong with modern wrestling.
8. Randy Savage
“Machoman” Randy Savage and Hogan were once the Mega Powers, but their friendship collapsed over personal issues involving Miss Elizabeth. Savage accused Hogan of crossing boundaries with his wife, publicly trashed him in raps and interviews, and called him a “wuss” who attacked him only through the media. Though they reconciled before Savage’s death in 2011, the damage had been done.
7. CM Punk
Straightedge star CM Punk never minced words, labeling Hogan “a piece of garbage.” He referenced him negatively in his famous 2011 “pipe bomb” promo and later doubled down after meeting him, citing Hogan’s scandals and phony reputation as proof of everything wrong with WWE’s old guard.
6. Scott Steiner
“Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner is infamous for his rants, but his hatred for Hogan was particularly venomous. He accused Hogan of being a racist, a backstabber, and of holding down talent in WCW. Steiner claimed even Randy Savage despised Hogan, adding fuel to the fire.
5. The Iron Sheik
The Iron Sheik made a career out of despising Hogan — both in kayfabe and in real life. After dropping the WWE title to him in 1984, Sheik claimed Hogan promised to “owe him one” but never followed through. For decades, Sheik blasted Hogan on social media, calling him a “racist” and “jabroni.”
4. Jesse Ventura
Perhaps the most serious accusation came from Jesse “The Body” Ventura, who says Hogan ratted out his secret plan to unionize wrestlers in 1986. Ventura never forgave him, calling Hogan a backstabber who protected his millions while his peers struggled without benefits or retirement security.
3. The Undertaker
The Undertaker revealed Hogan lied about a neck injury from a Tombstone Piledriver in 1991 to avoid losing clean. Hogan’s deception, Taker said, damaged trust early in his career and proved Hogan would always put his own position above others.
2. Shawn Michaels
In 2005, Michaels and Hogan clashed in a SummerSlam dream match. When Hogan refused to lose in a planned multi-match series, Michaels retaliated by comically overselling Hogan’s offense in the ring — a live-action parody of Hogan’s ego.
1. Bret Hart
Bret “The Hitman” Hart has delivered the most detailed indictment of Hogan, accusing him of sabotaging his career after WrestleMania IX and refusing to drop the title to him as promised. Hart later said Hogan “didn’t know a headlock from a headlamp” and used his backstage power to bury him in both WWE and WCW.
The Divide Behind the Curtain
To fans, Hogan will always be the red-and-yellow superhero who slammed giants and electrified arenas. But to many of his peers, he was a selfish politician whose betrayals left scars that lasted decades.
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