World Wrestling Entertainment has fired Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea in real life) Friday for his alleged involvement in a racism rant that was revealed through the National Enquirer and Radar Online.
An initial statement coming from his lawyer David Houston bared that Hogan, 61, had resigned from the WWE. However, the WWE clarified that Hogan was actually terminated. The WWE released its own statement on the incident:
"WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (a.k.a. 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."
Most articles, videos and photos tied up with Hogan have been taken down from the company's website.
Hogan’s racism rant was apparently directed at her daughter Brook. Hulkster unleashed explicit and vulgar language towards his daughter whom he accused of sleeping with a black man. All the racial slurs and hate words were allegedly caught on tape. Citing several sources, Radar Online and the Enquirer also reported that Hogan even said the following words: “I guess we’re all a little racist.”
Hulk Hogan admits mistake
For his part, Hogan has issued an apology via PEOPLE Magazine.
“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,” Hogan said in the statement.
“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,” Hogan added.
The Enquirer and Radar Online got hold of the tape and its contents via five unnamed independent sources. This latest episode adds to the list of legal issues that the Hulkster is into. Back in 2012, Hogan and his attorneys filed a $100 million lawsuit against Gawker Media for invasion of privacy that stemmed when a clip from a sex tape that featured the wrestler was posted online, which merited a cease-and-desist order from the court.
With Hogan’s axing, this likewise nixes any plans of having him around for Wrestlemania 32.
Prior to the latest fracas, Hogan got the go signal from WWE CEO Vince McMahon to participate in the event next year as long as he would pass a physical examination. It would have paved the way for his formal retirement match but as things stand now, all those plans have been scrapped.
Hogan is still trying to stay positive as he told PEOPLE that he will try to "improve as a person" despite the controversy surrounding him.