Controversy Surrounds Fitness Influencer Joey Swoll

Fitness influencer Joey Swoll found himself in hot water after attempting to honor wrestling legend Hulk Hogan following his passing. Instead of standing strong, Swoll quickly bowed to pressure amid backlash from the left, resulting in a misstep that many interpreted as a sign of weakness.

Shortly after Hogan’s death at age 71, Swoll shared a post featuring Hogan’s iconic red and yellow wrestling gear, aiming to pay tribute. However, rather than celebrating the wrestler’s legacy, he soon issued an apology, claiming he was “still learning” and regretting his tribute.

This shift raised eyebrows. Many felt that what could have been a heartfelt homage turned into a perplexing display of capitulation. Swoll, instead of embracing the moment, joined the ranks of others who fold under criticism.

The turning point came when critics brought attention to Hogan’s past use of racial slurs in a leaked conversation from 2015. Almost immediately, Swoll issued a video to his followers, stating, “I owe an apology to my community and all my social media.” He admitted that he had shared a gym video featuring him in Hogan’s costume the day Hogan passed, but felt wronged by the backlash.

In his video, Swoll expressed frustration over the criticism he received. “I was just trying to celebrate a wrestling icon we grew up with,” he explained, acknowledging that he hadn’t fully grasped the implications of Hogan’s controversial history.

Reflecting on his past behaviors, Swoll remarked, “I’ve done my research since last night and learned about the dark chapters of his life. It’s painful to realize it’s not just about making mistakes, but the weight of one’s actions.”

After facing the storm of backlash, he rounded off his statements with an acknowledgment of the support he hopes to foster in his community while also grappling with the negativity surrounding public personas. “Despite the good I’ve done, there are always those looking for a reason to tear you down,” he noted on social media.

In the end, Swoll’s attempt at honoring a wrestling legend turned into an apology tour. Whether this will leave a lasting impression on his fanbase remains to be seen, as many may choose to “finish” their support for him following this controversial episode.