Former WWE Champion leaving the company to wrestle elsewhere "broke my heart," says Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon has made the careers of several wrestlers in the pro wrestling industry. While the former WWE Chairman always put his money on what was “best for business,” he also developed a bond with some wrestlers. However, it has recently been revealed that one such wrestler left the 79-year-old distraught when he left the promotion. The man in question is Hulk Hogan.

The Hulkster made one of the most controversial company switches in 1994 when he jumped ship from WWE to WCW during his peak. While his fans followed him to the new promotion, it also left many WWE Universe members heartbroken.

In the second episode of Netflix’s docuseries, Mr. McMahon, Vince detailed how he turned the former WWE Champion into a ''huge star,'' admitting that The Hulkster's departure broke his heart.

“We had a very close personal relationship, took him [Hogan] and, of course, made a huge star out of him. And then from there he decides he wants to flip to our competition [WCW] and no longer be associated with you. So sure, emotionally, it hurt. Broke my heart, you know, I mean, da*n!” Vince McMahon said.

This switch wasn’t looked upon kindly by his son Shane McMahon either. The Prodigal Son said that Hogan's defection was an ''enormous slap in the face!''

“Hulk Hogan's defection to WCW, right there in the middle of the trial, that was an enormous slap in the face. Even to this day, that was taboo in my book,” Shane said. [49:44-50:15]

While Hulk Hogan did return to the Sports Entertainment juggernaut after the downfall of WCW, it took a while before he regained the trust of Vince McMahon. The 71-year-old was later inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice.