D-Von Dudley Reveals What Hulk Hogan Told Him After Racism Scandal

D-Von Dudley says that Hulk Hogan broke his heart with his infamous racist rant, but that he found it in him to forgive the late WWE icon. Hogan’s reputation and legacy suffered serious damage with the 2015 controversy, in which a transcript of racial slur-ridden comments he made during his leaked 2007 sex tape was publicized. The incident resulted in his being released from WWE and being removed from WWE’s web page including the Hall of Fame listing.

Hogan apologized for the comments, but they would dog him until he Vlad TV. Dudley recalled how devastating the news was for him and said that Hogan apologized to him personally. He said he told Hogan that he would not forget it, but would forgive. You can see the highlights below (h/t to WrestlingNews.co):

On His Reaction To the News:

“I idolized that man as a kid. I did everything he said to do. Say your prayers, eat your vitamins, train. To hear that broke my heart. How do I even see him again and even respect him as a man?”

On Hogan Apologizing To Him:

“He said, ‘D-Von, I promise you, I am not like that. Give me another chance. All I’m asking for is forgiveness… Usually I would go the other way because I didn’t want to have nothing to do with him. But I said, no, I’m gonna walk right in his path… I told him, ‘Hulk, I forgive you. I don’t forget it, but I forgive you.'”

On His Decision Being a Product Of His Faith:

“The Bible says if you can’t forgive your brother and sister, then I will not forgive you come time of judgment day. I’m not going to be a hypocrite and sit up here and try to preach the Bible but yet I don’t take heed to what the Bible says.”

On Hogan’s Impact on the Wrestling Industry:

“He was the first pro wrestler to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He helped launch WrestleMania. He brought Mr. T in. Him and Piper and Orndorff started a phenomenon. If there was never a Hulk Hogan, there would be no WrestleMania.”