Shelton Benjamin provides further clarity on his issues with Hulk Hogan.
This week, a clip of Hulk Hogan accidentally referring to Shelton Benjamin as “Benjamin Shelton” (while appearing on both The Pat McAfee Show and TMZ Sports) circulated online. According to Hogan, he is a fan of “Benjamin Shelton’s” work. The real Shelton Benjamin, however, appears to be far from a fan of Hogan’s as he suggested that Hogan keep Benjamin’s name out of his mouth.
Taking to Twitter/X, Benjamin clarified that Hogan’s name screw-up was the least of his concerns. “It amazes me the some people really think botching my name is what set me off,” Benjamin wrote alongside a gif that read “wrong.”
It amazes me the some people really think botching my name is what set me off. pic.twitter.com/LCY9quLyJy
— Shelton J. Benjamin (@Sheltyb803) May 7, 2025
In his original statement, Benjamin noted that Hogan had already “lost [him] forever” with his “apology speech” from 2018. This speech came after WWE reinstated him into its Hall of Fame, which he had temporarily been taken out of following a racially-fueled rant that leaked via audio in 2015.
Hogan addressed the WWE locker room before the 2018 Extreme Rules event. Coming out of it, Titus O’Neil indicated that he stood firm in WWE’s decision to reinstate Hogan due to his legendary status. However, while O’Neil is typically a proponent of a second or third chance, Hogan’s apology didn’t seem to contain true remorse in his eyes. Specifically, O’Neil cited issue with Hogan’s claim “that he didn’t know he was being recorded,” as it centered on an excuse, rather than contrition.
This sentiment was echoed by Benjamin this week, who referred to Hogan’s address as a “don’t get caught” speech.
