Gym influencer Joey Swoll has quit social media after backlash over his Hulk Hogan tribute video sparked debate on cancel culture and the wrestling legend’s controversial past.
Reverberations are happening in the online fitness sphere this week, as popular gym influencer Joey Swoll felt compelled to leave social media.
The pressure-cooker of cancel culture was turned up high, following his impersonation of the late Hulk Hogan.
Intended as a tribute to the wrestler, Swoll appeared in full wrestling gear, imitating Hogan’s iconic moves.
The parody-like nature of the video saw it ripple across social media, sparking conversations about authenticity, and even some of Hogan’s questionable moments.
Swoll, usually known for gym positivity and calling out toxic gym behavior, captioned it as a heartfelt homage, saying that Hogan had inspired him growing up.
Backlash and apology
Viewers accused Swoll of ignoring the darker side of Hogan’s legacy – namely past racism and scandals – even while claiming to pay tribute.
Some followers found the tribute “tone-deaf” and accused him of making Hogan’s death about himself.
Joey Swoll apologizing because he didn't know you don't call black people undefinedcoloredundefined in 2025 is the funniest thing I heard today. For someone constantly telling people to do better, he's a shitty person. Fucking meatheads. Smh pic.twitter.com/ApAvykVdvE
undefined DTLdabs (@dtldabs) July 29, 2025
A separate, older clip resurfaced where Swoll used the word “midget,” triggering more backlash.
During a TikTok livestream to explain, Swoll used the term “colored” instead of “person of color,” sending some into a frenzy.
Swoll issued a public apology video, saying the term wasn’t meant maliciously and he’d learned from the mistake.
In a follow-up post, Swoll announced he was leaving social media indefinitely – with a parting shot: “No matter how much good you do, people just wait for a reason to hate you and tear you down. You either die a hero, or live long enough to be the villain.”
It appears here that Swoll is calling out cancel culture and how negativity spreads faster than positive messages.
Overall, Hulk Hogan’s legacy is mixed – a wrestling icon, but with past controversies that split public opinion, including incidents of racist language and his own personal sex tape being reproduced without his consent.
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