WWE: Hulk Hogan Terminated Amid Racism Allegations

UPDATE (MONDAY 3:30 p.m.): Radar, who is involved in a joint investigation with the National ENQUIRER that broke the story initially, reported additional racist comments from the leaked Hogan transcript. 

UPDATE (SATURDAY 12:30 p.m.): In the hours that have passed since our last update, a lot has happened. Here’s a run down:

• 2K Games confirmed that Hogan will not appear in the latest installment to its WWE 2K franchise, WWE 2K16, with a spokesperson stating, “We are highly respectful of the way that our partners choose to run their business and manage our partnerships accordingly. We can confirm that Hulk Hogan will not appear in WWE 2K16.”
• TNA Wrestling has removed all mention of Hogan, including merchandise, off its website. The company has yet to comment on further action they may be pursuing or on the scandal itself.
• According to a report on Forbes.com, shares of WWE’s stock dropped four percent, costing shareholders to lose close to $50 million.
• WWE has issued a statement to TMZ.com regarding Vince McMahon’s use of the “N-Word” in a 2005 segment, stating that the segment was, “An outlandish and satirical skit involving fictional characters, similar to that of many scripted television shows and movies.”

UPDATE (FRIDAY 9:20 p.m.): Wrestledelphia.com has attempted to contact Hogan’s representation at Prince Media Group. When transferred to PMG talent representative Chris Volo via the extension for Public Relations, a message could not be left due to a full mailbox.

UPDATE (FRIDAY 4:55 p.m.): WWE Superstar Mark Henry offered his thoughts about the situation on Twitter:

pic.twitter.com/f7de0355vG

— TheMarkHenry (@TheMarkHenry)

UPDATE (FRIDAY 4:15 p.m.): WWE legend Virgil offered a comment to TMZ Sports on the allegations, saying, “You can only judge a person based on past experience. Hulk Hogan has never given me a reason to believe he is a racist”

UPDATE (FRIDAY 3:00 p.m.): Hulk Hogan’s daughter, Brooke, wrote a poem in response to the allegations facing her father.

UPDATE (FRIDAY 2:47 p.m.): This is what appeared when attempting to access Hogan’s profile on WWE.com:

UPDATE (FRIDAY 12:50 p.m.): According to PWInsider.com’s Mike Johnson, Ric Flair is being discussed within WWE as the potential replacement for Hogan on its reality television show, “Tough Enough.”

UPDATE (FRIDAY 12:40 p.m.): WWE Hall of Famer Booker T comments on the Hogan scandal:

20 years ago I made a huge mistake by saying something I shouldn’t have on National TV. — Booker T. Huffman (@BookerT5x)

It’s 2015 and the n-word should be eradicated from the English language in my opinion. — Booker T. Huffman (@BookerT5x)

I am shocked by the statements made by Hulk Hogan. It’s unfortunate, but that’s something that he’s going to have to deal with. — Booker T. Huffman (@BookerT5x)

Former WWE Superstar MVP chimes in on the scandal:

Truth be told, I’m not shocked. I’m sure there are many icons that would disgust you for a number of reasons if you knew their secrets. — MVP (@The305MVP)

UPDATE (FRIDAY 11:42 a.m.): Hogan has issued a statement to PEOPLE Magazine admitting to and apologizing for the use of racist remarks about his daughter’s love life.

“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 told PEOPLE. “I am disappointed with myself that I used language that is offensive and inconsistent with my own beliefs.”

Hogan said the statements were from “eight years ago” and there was no excuse for what he said. Hogan’s lawyer, David Houston, told PEOPLE that Hogan resigned from WWE, despite WWE’s statement that Hogan was fired.

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WWE has removed legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan from most mentions on the company’s website, including the section for the WWE Hall of Fame, due to racist remarks captured during the filming of a sex tape.

The story was first reported by The National ENQUIRER, who have since received a statement from WWE that states, “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.”

From the initial report:

In a shocking world exclusive, The National ENQUIRER and RadarOnline.com – in a joint investigation – has learned that sordid pillow talk caught on an unauthorized sex tape includes a revolting conversation in which the pro wrestling icon unleashed a filthy bigoted attack, littered with the N-word and other disgusting racial insults.

– The National ENQUIRER

Hogan’s alumni profile page has been removed from WWE.com. All of his merchandise is gone from WWEShop.com, and he has been removed from the judges section of the Tough Enough website. No replacement has been named. The profile page of Curtis Axel, who has spent the last few months under a Hogan parody gimmick, has been reverted back to Axel’s standard gimmick. A search for Hogan on the website turns up some cursory mentions of him in various listicles and articles, but it appears there is nothing left that solely focuses on him.