A Snub That Sparked Outrage
When the 2025 Emmy Awards aired their “In Memoriam” tribute, many expected the late wrestling legend Hulk Hogan (born Terry Bollea, died July 24, 2025) to be among the televised remembrances. Instead, fans noticed his absence. His name wasn’t spoken in the broadcast—but was included in the longer memorial roll online.
Shoes were clipped, keyboards typed, and public figures spoke up. Chief among them was Linda Hogan, his ex-wife, who believes there’s more behind the omission than timing or airtime constraints. She suspects politics played a part.
What Linda Hogan Is Saying
Linda Hogan, who was married to Hulk from 1983 to 2009, told Entertainment Weekly she speculates that his omission was influenced by his vocal support for Donald Trump and political activity (including an appearance at the 2024 Republican National Convention). She emphasized, though, that she has no proof, calling her claim “just a guess.”
She stated: “They should have named him!!”
She also referenced moments from late in Hulk’s life—his appearance at the RNC where he enthusiastically supported Trump & J.D. Vance, and a heavily booed appearance in Los Angeles earlier this year—as possible reasons for bias. Linda argues that despite his controversies, Hogan’s television legacy (reality shows, prime-time wrestling, media guest appearances) merited a spot in the televised tribute.
The Television Academy Responds
The Television Academy, which organizes the Emmy Awards, has addressed the omission by pointing out that the televised segment has limited time. They explained that the full list of those who passed—Hulk Hogan included—is featured in an online “In Memoriam” video. However, viewers noted that the online version lacks the production value, emotional impact, and prominence of the televised tribute.
They also clarified that many names are omitted from the broadcast version despite being listed in the online or extended roll. There were other notable omissions beyond Hogan, including actors such as Jerry Adler.
Hogan’s Legacy: Fame, Wrestling & TV
To understand why Linda Hogan and fans are upset, you have to look at Hulk’s career.
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Hulk Hogan was among wrestling’s biggest crossover figures, helping bring WWF (later WWE) into mainstream visibility.
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He hosted and appeared on TV shows for decades, including Hogan Knows Best, which featured Linda and their children and ran on VH1 during the mid-2000s.
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Even after wrestling’s “golden years,” he remained a public persona, appearing in media, interviews, and special events.
Given this reach, many believe his omission feels like erasing one thread of pop culture history—especially for wrestling fans, reality TV audiences, and those who remember his figure in ’80s/’90s television culture.
Politics, Popularity, and Public Perception
Linda Hogan’s claim leans on the idea that recent political positioning may have altered how Hulk was perceived—or accepted—by industry bodies.
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In 2024, Hulk Hogan delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention, wore a Trump-Vance shirt, and made headlines for his enthusiastic endorsement.
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He had previously expressed more bipartisan or mixed political support in earlier years (including statements of support for Barack Obama in 2008), which adds tension: is the issue not politics per se but which side one associates with in the current climate?
Fans on social media also pointed to examples of boos when Hogan appeared on stage most recently, interpreting that as evidence of changing perception.
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The Emmys Snub in Context
This isn’t the first time that “In Memoriam” tributes have stirred controversy. Awards shows regularly omit names due to time constraints. Broadcast segments are short, production driven, and focused on high-profile figures.
What changes this from the ordinary to the contested, though, is the intersection of legacy, recent political positioning, and public memory. When someone with a long television footprint is left out, it tends to feel like a statement—even if non-political explanations also exist.
Also worth noting: televised In Memoriam segments are curated for impact—who will resonate with audience emotion in that moment, visually and historically. Some figures’ deaths may be later remembered in “longer lists” or online tributes rather than the live broadcast.
What This Means for Celebrity, Legacy, and Bias
The Hogan case spotlights several broader issues in celebrity culture and media.
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How much does political identity affect posthumous public recognition?
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To what extent does the industry balance or silence controversial figures when curating tributes?
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How important are television appearances and “legacy credits” (reality shows, wrestling, etc.) when the broadcast has limited time?
The controversy also raises questions about how fans and public figures interpret snubs: are they evidence of bias, or symptoms of constrained formats?
Closing Thoughts
Linda Hogan may not be able to prove intent, but in celebrity culture, perception often matters almost as much as fact. Hulk Hogan’s absence from the televised “In Memoriam” brought together fans, media, and critics to debate who gets remembered—and how.
Whether the Emmys broadcast this way deliberately, or simply couldn’t fit everyone, the moment has already become part of Hogan’s story. And in entertainment, legacy is often measured by what people say after the show ends.
Sources
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https://ew.com/hulk-hogan-ex-wife-linda-emmys-excluding-wrestler-in-memoriam-11810632
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https://decider.com/2025/09/16/linda-hogan-emmys-not-honoring-hulk-hogan-conservative-bias/
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https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2025/09/hulk-hogan-emmys-in-memoriam-snub.html
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https://www.tmz.com/2025/09/15/hulk-hogan-in-memoriam-emmys-snub-political-linda-says/
