WWE Cuts ALL Ties With Hulk Hogan (Updated 7/25)
"Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it. This is not who I am. I believe very strongly that every person in the world is important and should not be treated differently based on race, gender, orientation, religious beliefs or otherwise. I am disappointed with myself that I used language that is offensive and inconsistent with my own beliefs."
The TNA wrestling organization also distance themselves from Hogan, who was part of their roster from 2009 until 2014.
Forbes reported that the Hogan controversy has caused WWE's stock to drop 4% which cost shareholders roughly $50 Million.
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The relationship history between WWE and Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Bolea) is one of many, many peaks and valleys, it's definitely a rocky marriage/divorce. They were together for about a decade and things were great until Hulk wanted to explore other options, the split was amicable and went their separate ways. During that time apart, Hogan did some things he promised he'd never do and said some rough things about his former partner, WWE. Those other ventures eventually didn't pan out and Hogan began another friendly relationship with WWE. It's like they became friends for the sake of the kids until Hogan left again for another partner (TNA). Finally, last year the old couple married once again as if they were destined to reach the end together until Hogan does something that wouldn't have been a big deal decades ago but WWE has changed and that stuff just doesn't fly anymore. That's where we're at now.
To set the stage, Hogan is currently going through an invasion of privacy trail against Gawker for releasing footage for a sex tape involving Hogan (I will pause here so everyone can deal with throwing in their mouths at the thought of that).
And then, late last night, WWE announced that they have terminated their contract with Hogan along with the statement: "WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide."
This caused a big stir among fans, especially since no one knew exactly why at the time and then it blew up when WWE basically scrubbed themselves clean of Hogan completely. WWE removed all references to Hogan from their website, his roster profile as well as his place on their Hall of Fame page. Even "Axlemania," a wrestler that has been spoofing Hogan the last few months, has had his profile changed back to his regular "Curtis Axle" persona. WWE has also taken down Hogan's involvement as a judge on their Tough Enough reality series that they're currently in the middle of. No word on if they will replace him.
Finally, we got word this morning that this might have been a preemptive PR move by WWE because apparently audio was brought up in the Gawker case which allegedly featured a rant made by Hogan three years ago in which Hogan used an excessive amount of expletives and racial slurs because he didn't approve of the black man that his daughter Brooke was having a sexual relationship with at the time. The audio hasn't been released to the public yet and neither Hogan, WWE or any other close source has confirmed that but it does make sense when you link it with WWE's press statement in Hogan's release.
This move is seen hypocritical on the part of WWE considering stories about various other employees and didn't receive what fans call the "Chris Benoit" treatment. Just as recently as last year, there was a story that went around after WWE fired wrestler Alberto Del Rio that claimed he was fired for slapping an "dot com guy" for saying something racially demeaning about him. Del Rio was fired, the other guy was not (according to rumor). And there's also stories of employees saying the "N-word" that received suspensions or no punishment at all but apparently the difference is that those employees didn't get caught by the press and released to the public. And if that's truly the case then what about that time that Vince McMahon himself said the "N-word" on his own programming in-front of a camera a few years ago? The truth of the matter is, there's a big murky swamp WWE has to slop themselves out of just because of the people they chose to do business with and yes, I'm glad that they are saying NOW that they're going to put up with crap like this anymore but they also have to realize that they don't exactly have the moral high ground here.
Also, it's way more difficult to give Hogan the "Benoit" treatment seeing as how Hogan was the wrestler with the entire company on his back in the 80s and early 90s and then the same for WCW (which WWE now owns the rights to) afterwards. Yes, terminate his contract, take him off of Tough Enough but I hope WWE doesn't try to act like he never existed. Especially when WWE has a long, long record of wrapping their arms around wrestlers that have done some truly terrible, terrible things. I'm not saying WWE is responsible for everything that comes out of Hogan's mouth or that WWE will try to erase history (Hogan is still listed in their championship timeline) but WWE needs to be at least held responsible for the people they choose to do business with.
And I really don't think Hogan will be gone from the company forever, WWE doesn't keep people away forever. Honestly, if guys like the late Ultimate Warrior, Bret Hart and Bruno Sammartino can get rid of their grudges with WWE, anybody has a chance. The question is, how long WWE's grudge with Hogan last? I think WWE will wait for this all to blow over and forgotten about (something that's getting increasingly harder to do in today's social media awareness) and bring Hogan back for a nostalgia pop within the next 10 years if Hogan is still living.
As for Tough Enough, I think WWE will probably move Chris Jericho from being the host to filling in the judge's chair and just have Renee Young take over the hosting duties. Or, have Booker T be the judge as well as one of the coaches, which might be beneficial since he actually sees first-hand what each competitor accomplishes during the week. Either way, this is going to be an interesting weekend for WWE to clean up.
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