It's been a few years since a sex tape was leaked that featured WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan making a series of racist comments. A huge lawsuit would follow, and Vince McMahon would ultimately welcome the Hulkster back (something many Superstars were not on board with).
Hogan did issue an apology to the WWE roster in a backstage meeting, but that wasn't enough for some. Titus O'Neil was among them, but he ended up hosting this year's WrestleMania alongside Hogan.
So, how did he feel about landing that job?
"We spoke a little bit after I got upset about the apology. We had a private conversation. But at the end of the day, I’m not one to be able to cast judgment on anyone," O'Neil recalled. "I looked at the opportunity to host WrestleMania in my hometown, where I’m literally the unofficial Mayor here in Tampa. To do it with a guy that essentially put WrestleMania on the map, I looked at it as a business decision that was made. Vince McMahon runs this company, and everyone else that is associated knows that."
O'Neil went on to say he knows Vince wouldn't have put him in a position that would make him uncomfortable and praised Hogan as being professional during their time working together. However, he admitted to being surprised when the WWE Hall of Famer was met with boos from the fans in attendance.
"I didn’t expect the reaction that he got. I didn’t expect the reaction that he received. I expected a little bit here and there, but nowhere near where it was. But at the end of the day, to Hulk’s credit, he took it with pride, and the show went on," he said. "I don’t harbor any hard feelings against anybody. I think that’s his cross to bear. My job is to be professional and make the best product possible for whatever I’m giving. I think we did that. I had a lot of fun. We dressed up as pirates. It was very hot, but it was fun. I got a chance to do it at home, and I will do it ten times out of 10 alongside Hulk Hogan if asked if I had the opportunity."
You can't fault O'Neil's attitude, and it's clear he gave this gig a lot of thought before agreeing to it. Ultimately, he did a great job, and didn't need to say or do anything: the fans took care of that!