Shelton Benjamin Rips Hulk Hogan

Professional wrestler Shelton Benjamin has publicly criticized Hulk Hogan after the wrestling icon repeatedly misnamed him during recent media appearances.

While promoting his new wrestling venture, Real American Freestyle Wrestling, Hogan referred to Benjamin as “Benjamin Shelton” in interviews with TMZ and The Pat McAfee Show. Benjamin responded on social media, calling the mistake disrespectful and referencing his long-standing disapproval of Hogan.

“Message to @HulkHogan,” Benjamin wrote. “You lost me forever with your ‘don’t get caught’ … or as you would call it ‘apology’ speech. So rather than screw up my name and pretend we ever had any sort of camaraderie — which we never had — please do me a favor and keep my name out of your f---ing mouth.”

Benjamin’s comments refer to Hogan’s 2015 suspension from WWE following the release of racist comments made in a leaked recording. Hogan returned to the company in 2018 and addressed the WWE locker room during a backstage meeting. Multiple wrestlers later said Hogan’s remarks focused more on the dangers of being recorded than on expressing genuine remorse.

MVP, a longtime ally of Benjamin and fellow WWE veteran, also condemned Hogan’s recent comments, calling him a “pathological lying piece of human excrement” on social media.

The incident reflects broader skepticism among African American wrestlers toward Hogan’s apology and continued presence in the wrestling industry. Several performers, including members of The New Day and Titus O’Neil, have previously voiced public criticism of Hogan and declined to accept his apology.