Steve Carrier on July 26, 2025
AEW is facing serious backlash after Tony Khan and the company failed to acknowledge the death of Hulk Hogan, a move that has sparked outrage across social media. While wrestling promotions around the world—WWE, TNA, NWA, GCW—have all paid tribute to the WWE Hall of Famer, AEW has remained silent, and fans are letting them have it.
This renewed heat comes at a tense time, as many remember Tony Khan’s public stance against Hulk Hogan back in 2020. At the time, Khan banned Hogan from all AEW events, citing the leaked tapes where Hogan used racial slurs. In a statement to Forbes that same year, Khan said:
“What he said on the tape, long before George Floyd, I’ve told people I can’t work with Hulk Hogan… how can I look my black friends, football players, employees in the face or myself in the mirror after the things [Hulk] said and has never given an adequate apology for? He can’t blame what he said on tape on the dangers of social media.”
Khan didn’t stop there—he also banned Hogan’s ex-wife, Linda, after she posted a controversial tweet during the Black Lives Matter protests. Khan clapped back online: “You’ve now joined your husband in being banned from all AEW shows. Congratulations.”
Fast-forward to July 2025, and fans expected some gesture of respect following Hogan’s passing. Instead, Khan went silent on social media for days, only returning to promote AEW Collision and reveal the bracket for the AEW Tag Team Title Eliminator tournament.
That move didn’t sit well with many. After Khan tweeted the updated bracket, fans flooded his mentions—not with excitement over the tag teams, but with fury over the Hogan snub. One frustrated fan wrote: “This wack tournament doesn’t exist without Hogan. Absolutely classless and tasteless. Fans won’t watch!!!!”
Another replied: “Nah dude… I’m never anti-wrestling… I genuinely hope everyone succeeds… but the disrespect towards Hogan this week is unacceptable.”
Some even appealed to the network’s legacy: “I think TNT would love a little wink to Hogan, the man who won Monday Night Wars for the station for so long. Just saying 🤑”
Others mocked Khan’s reputation as a wrestling historian: “Better ask your boss @davemeltzerWON if it’s okay to do a Hogan tribute since you are such a ‘big historian.’”
It got personal in some comments, with fans going after Khan’s character: “You have to be a real asshole if you don’t pay any respect to Hulk Hogan. That’s why you’re the worst promoter in pro wrestling. Punk was right about you.”
Another fired off: “@TonyKhan BAD PERSON! WON’T ACKNOWLEDGE HULK HOGAN BECAUSE TONY HAS TOO MUCH OF AN EGO.”
Some fans even threatened to stop watching AEW altogether: “Don’t even mention Hulk once. I’ll pass on AEW.”
While others simply stated: “No respect for the man who paved the way for pro wrestling Hulk Hogan… you petty ass virgin.”
Throughout Khan’s Twitter thread, dozens of replies featured Hulk Hogan GIFs and images, silently demanding acknowledgment. Fans also noticed that Khan went radio silent online beginning July 24—shortly before Hogan’s death was announced—and didn’t return until AEW programming needed promotion.
For a man known to tweet around the clock hyping up AEW, that quiet stretch spoke volumes. Whether AEW stays the course or offers a delayed tribute remains to be seen, but for many wrestling fans, the silence is already too loud.
What’s your take—should Tony Khan have addressed Hulk Hogan’s passing, or is he standing his ground for a reason? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
July 26, 2025 6:53 pm
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