For millions around the world, Hulk Hogan was more than just a wrestler; he was a superhero in the flesh, a real-life champion who told us to say our prayers and eat our vitamins. His iconic yellow and red attire, his larger-than-life persona, and his seemingly unbreakable spirit made him a beacon of heroism for an entire generation. But behind the 24-inch pythons and the triumphant poses, a darker, more complex story was unfolding, one of manipulation, deceit, and controversy. Now, years later, the “awful truth” about Hulk Hogan is coming to light, and it’s from an unlikely source: the one man who saw through the facade from the very beginning, The Undertaker.

The story of their rivalry is etched in the annals of wrestling history, but it’s the behind-the-scenes drama that paints the most vivid picture of who Hulk Hogan, or rather Terry Bollea, truly is. The pivotal moment, the one that solidified The Undertaker’s perception of Hogan as a master manipulator, came at Survivor Series in 1991. The Undertaker was still a young, rising star, and he was about to face the biggest name in the business. The match was set, the stakes were high, and the world was watching.

Throughout the day, Hogan had been planting the seeds of a story, a narrative of a nagging neck injury that left him vulnerable. He spoke of his concerns to anyone who would listen, creating a cloud of doubt and sympathy around him. He even pulled the young Undertaker aside for a private conversation in the shower, a place where he knew they wouldn’t be disturbed. There, he expressed his deep-seated fears about taking The Undertaker’s finishing move, the Tombstone Piledriver. He made it clear that his career could be on the line, that one wrong move could end it all.

The Undertaker, a consummate professional dedicated to his craft and the safety of his opponents, listened intently. He was a “company man,” and his primary concern was to protect the “golden goose,” the man who was the face of the WWE. He reassured Hogan that he would be safe, that he would take every precaution to ensure his well-being. But in the back of his mind, a seed of doubt had been planted. Was this genuine concern, or was it something else?

The match went on as planned, and the moment of truth arrived. The Undertaker hoisted Hogan up for the Tombstone Piledriver, his mind focused on one thing: protecting his opponent. He executed the move with precision, ensuring that Hogan’s head was nowhere near the mat. But as soon as Hogan’s body hit the canvas, he began to writhe in agony, clutching his neck as if he had just suffered a catastrophic injury. The crowd was stunned into silence, and The Undertaker was devastated. He believed he had just ended the career of the biggest star in the industry.

It wasn’t until later that the truth was revealed. Shane McMahon, who had been watching the match from a monitor backstage, confirmed what The Undertaker had suspected all along: Hogan’s head had never touched the mat. Video footage corroborated the story, showing a clear gap between Hogan’s head and the canvas. The entire injury was a fabrication, a calculated performance designed to protect his image and garner sympathy from the audience.

When The Undertaker confronted Hogan, the Hulkster’s response was a masterclass in deflection and blame-shifting. He claimed that The Undertaker had held him too tightly, that he couldn’t move, that he was the one at fault. For The Undertaker, this was the final straw. It was in that moment that he saw the real Terry Bollea, the man behind the Hulk Hogan persona. He saw a manipulator, a liar, and a man who would do anything to protect his spot at the top.

This incident was not an isolated one. Throughout his career, Hogan has been embroiled in a series of controversies that have tarnished his once-pristine image. The most damaging of these was the steroid scandal of the early 1990s. Under oath, Hogan admitted to using anabolic steroids for over a decade, a revelation that shattered the illusion of his all-natural, superhuman physique. His wholesome, family-friendly image was forever tainted.

Hogan’s reputation for lying is legendary within the wrestling community. He has been accused of fabricating stories about everything from his past accomplishments to his relationships with other celebrities. He once claimed that he was on the verge of joining the band Metallica, a story that was quickly debunked by the band members themselves. He also took credit for discovering The Undertaker, a claim that has been widely disputed.

His relationships with his fellow wrestlers were often fraught with tension and animosity. The late, great “Macho Man” Randy Savage was particularly vocal about his disdain for Hogan. In a series of scathing interviews, Savage accused Hogan of disrespecting him and his family, calling him a “wuss” for not confronting him face-to-face. The animosity between the two men was palpable, and it stemmed from a deep-seated belief that Hogan was not the man he pretended to be.

But the most damaging controversy of all came in 2012, when a scandalous tape was leaked to the public. The tape featured Hogan engaged in a series of racist and homophobic slurs, a shocking and deeply offensive tirade that sent shockwaves through the wrestling world and beyond. The WWE, a company that had built its brand on a foundation of inclusivity and family-friendly entertainment, had no choice but to sever all ties with its biggest star. Hogan’s contract was terminated, and all references to him were scrubbed from their platforms.

Hogan later apologized for his remarks, attributing his language to his upbringing in a “rough neighborhood.” But for many, the damage was already done. The man who had once been a hero to millions was now a pariah, a symbol of a bygone era of ignorance and intolerance.

The Undertaker, for his part, was not surprised by the scandal. He had seen the “real Terry Bollea” back in 1991, and he knew that the man was capable of such ugliness. But despite his personal feelings, The Undertaker has always maintained a level of professionalism when it comes to Hogan’s legacy. He has acknowledged Hogan’s undeniable impact on the wrestling business, referring to him as a “Mount Rushmore guy” for his contributions to the industry.

In a strange twist of fate, the video that details this sordid history also includes a fictional account of Hogan’s death in July 2025. In this imagined future, The Undertaker posts a tribute to his former rival, recognizing his “immeasurable” contributions to the business. It’s a testament to The Undertaker’s ability to separate the man from the character, to acknowledge the good while never forgetting the bad.

The story of Hulk Hogan is a cautionary tale, a reminder that our heroes are often more complex and flawed than we want them to be. It’s a story of a man who reached the pinnacle of success, only to have his legacy tarnished by his own actions. And it’s a story that is being told, in all its uncomfortable detail, by the one man who was there to witness it all, The Undertaker. The Deadman has spoken, and the awful truth is finally out.