Vince McMahon Expresses Disappointment Over Exclusion from WWE Tribute to Hulk Hogan

Vince McMahon has expressed his disappointment over being left out of WWE's tribute to Hulk Hogan, who passed away in July 2025. Despite their long-standing relationship, McMahon was notably absent from a significant ten-bell salute. He acknowledged his feelings about the omission and shared that he honored Hogan privately at his funeral. Wrestling veteran B. Brian Blair recounted McMahon's heartfelt speech during the service. Speculation continues about McMahon's future involvement in the wrestling industry, even as he steps back from active operations in WWE.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 13, 2025, 16:41 IST

Vince McMahon's Reaction to WWE Tribute

Vince McMahon has openly shared his disappointment regarding his exclusion from a notable WWE tribute dedicated to Hulk Hogan. The wrestling organization has been commemorating the legendary figure weekly since his passing, yet McMahon was absent during one of the most poignant tributes.

Hulk Hogan, a towering figure in the world of professional wrestling, died on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71. He and McMahon were instrumental in elevating WWE to mainstream success during the 1980s, making Hogan a household name beyond the wrestling ring.

In the wake of Hogan's death, WWE's creative team, spearheaded by Triple H, has been consistently honoring him through various segments, including a ten-bell salute that featured both past and present stars.

However, McMahon's absence during this tribute raised eyebrows. A segment from TMZ’s The Real Hulk Hogan documentary highlighted that McMahon was not invited to the ten-bell salute, despite their long-standing personal and professional relationship.

When questioned about his feelings regarding this exclusion, McMahon admitted it was troubling for him. "It struck me that way as well," he stated, confirming his dissatisfaction with not being part of the tribute.

Despite not being publicly acknowledged, McMahon did honor Hogan in a private capacity. Wrestling veteran B. Brian Blair recounted McMahon's speech at Hogan's funeral, describing it as brief yet impactful, lasting around two minutes.

Blair noted, "He spoke for I would say a minute, two minutes, probably two minutes, and he got everybody up for a standing ovation for Terry, and then he got the whole place going, 'Hogan! Hogan! Hogan!' It was awesome, Vince was awesome, he was excellent, and it was heartfelt from Vince."

Although McMahon is no longer actively involved in WWE's day-to-day operations, there is ongoing speculation about his potential return to the wrestling industry in some form.