WWE Fires Hulk Hogan After Sterling-esque Racist Tirade?
WWE have terminated Hulk Hogan’s contract and erased him almost entirely from WWE.com following an alleged racist tirade that has surfaced during his ongoing sex tape lawsuit with Gawker.
The Hall of Famer (at least for now) is said to be recorded talking to Heather Clem (his sex tape tag partner) about his daughter Brooke dating a black guy who was financing her music career.
She is making some real bad decisions now. My daughter Brooke jumped sides on me. I spent $2-3 million on her music career, I’ve done everything like a jackass for her. I don’t know if Brooke was f*cking the black guy’s son. I mean, I don’t have double standards. I mean, I am a racist, to a point, f*cking n*ggers. But then when it comes to nice people and sh*t, and whatever. I mean, I’d rather if she was going to f*ck some n*gger, I’d rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n*gger worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player! I guess we’re all a little racist. Fucking n*gger.
The tape itself has not been released publicly so we only have other people’s interpretation of it, but if it’s accurate there’s no way it can be spun. Hogan’s public image is destroyed!
WWE released the following statement:
WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan). WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide.
Religious faith was on the Hulkster’s mind on Twitter:
In the storm I release control,God and his Universe will sail me where he wants me to be,one love. HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) July 24, 2015
At this time he has been erased from WWE.com, his merchandise has been pulled, and his Tough Enough and ambassador/Legend’s deal is no more. It’s not clear whether 2K Sports will also remove him from WWE 2K16.
One person gloating about the situation is CM Punk who’s had some Twitter beef with Hogan for some time:
@RyanLoco Booker told him he was coming for him. Well, he finally got 'em.
— Coach (@CMPunk) July 24, 2015
Maybe he was upset, maybe he would never dream of saying such things in public, but even behind closed doors it seems in the era of social media and recording devices, ignorant bigots have nowhere to hide.