WWE Reinstates Hulk Hogan From Suspension Following Racial Slurs

He’s back … brother.

Nearly three years after WWE scrubbed Hulk Hogan from its record, including suspending him from the Hall of Fame and firing him from his contract, WWE reinstated Hogan on Sunday prior to the Extreme Rules pay-per-view.

WWE announced the move on Twitter, noting that Hogan was reinstated into the Hall of Fame. Later in the evening, WWE told several media outlets that Hogan had not been signed to a contract, but the announcement seems to pave the way for Hogan’s eventual return to WWE television.

Hogan was exiled from WWE after a series of racist comments were unearthed as part of his lawsuit against Gawker Media. Hogan sued (and won) Gawker after the company released portions of a sex tape that was recorded without Hogan’s knowledge or consent. Hogan was awarded a multi-million dollar judgement against Gawker, which ultimately led to the company selling many of its assets.

WWE tried to sugarcoat the decision in its press release, writing: “After a three-year suspension, Hulk Hogan has been reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame. This second chance follows Hogan’s numerous public apologies and volunteering to work with young people, where he is helping them learn from his mistake. These efforts led to a recent induction into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Alumni Hall of Fame.”

Hogan was caught on tape using racial slurs. The comments were several years old, but WWE and Hogan faced harsh criticism following the release of the comments, which only came to light due to the ongiong lawuisit.

“I am a racist, to a point, f— n——.” Hogan said on the tape, according to PW Torch, when describing the boyfriend of his daughter, Brooke. “I don’t give a f– if she (INAUDIBLE) an eight-foot tall basketball player. If we’re gonna f– with n—–, let’s get a rich one!”

After the comments from the lawsuit were released, more comments came to light, including a recorded 2008 conversation between Hogan and his son, Nick, while Nick was in jail for his role in a car accident that left one of his friends with permanent brain damage. Hogan and his son were discussing reincarnation. 

“I just hope we don’t come back as a couple, I don’t want to say it, blizz-ack gizz-uys, you know what I’m saying?” Hogan said.

After his reinstatement, Hogan reportedly met with the entire WWE roster on Sunday prior to Extreme Rules and apologized for his comments, as well as the embarrassment it brought on the company.

“Just met with the WWE Superstars and on all levels the volume of love and support was overwhelming,” he wrote on Twitter. “I’ve been praying for this day and I finally feel like I made it back home. Only Love 4 the WWE Universe, brother HH.”