Three years ago, Hulk Hogan was terminated from his contract with the WWE, was taken out of the WWE Hall of Fame and was widely disgraced for his racist comments heard on his leaked sex tape. In an instant, his decades-spanning career was tarnished, and while he has apologized multiple times for the incident and won a lawsuit over that sex tape, it hasn't done much to change his reputation. But it seems the WWE has taken sympathy with the aged wrestler, as it was announced the Hulkster was allowed back into the WWE Hall of Fame after his three-year absence. Here's what the press release stated.
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.
From this press release alone, it's not entirely clear what caused the WWE to change its collective mind and reinstate Hulk Hogan into its well-established Hall of Fame. That said, there is some speculation among people with insider information that Hogan reportedly filmed an apology video with the WWE, which is expected to be aired during an upcoming special to air on the WWE Network. Here's the tweet that first speculated it.
Regardless of whether or not that claim is true, this press release announcement has been met with some contention from the wrestling community, who feel that Hulk Hogan has not served his full sentence for his derogatory and inappropriate comments. For instance, some hardcore wrestling fans believe Hulk Hogan shouldn't be considered for the WWE Hall of Fame before other deserving and overlooked members of the WWE who still have yet to get recognized.
Others were quick to voice their frustrations with not only Hulk Hogan, but his supporters and the WWE for allowing him to come back into the organization's good graces. Meanwhile, more than a few other social media users took this opportunity to poke fun at another sports-related controversy with Papa John.
The WWE was quick to capitalize on the issue, too, releasing a video earlier today in which Hulk Hogan is promoting a charitable "Superstars for Hope" campaign. Notice how quickly he refers to himself as a Hall of Famer, too.
We'll keep you posted on additional updates regarding Hulk Hogan's reinstated place inside the WWE Hall of Fame, including if any other comments are made officially by WWE, right here at CinemaBlend.
Additionally, it should also be noted that Hulk Hogan's controversy is expected to live on as big screen fare, as it was revealed last month that Hulk Hogan's ongoing legal battle with Gawker will be dramatized in the upcoming biopic Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue (we expect that title to be shortened before it makes its way into theaters), which is expected to be directed by Francis Lawrence (Red Sparrow, Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2). There's no word yet on who is expected to bring Hulkamania to life in the film, but they are reportedly looking for A-list talent. There's also no word on when the movie is scheduled to come out, but we imagine this controversial reinstatement might draw some more interest to the developing project. There's little doubt that it's one hell of a story.
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