Why Did Hulk Hogan Leave WWE?By Coder| September 28, 2023 Wrestling Blogs Why Did Hulk Hogan Leave WWE? Hulk Hogan is one of the most iconic and beloved professional wrestlers of all time. He achieved great success during his tenure with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), formerly known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). However, in 2015, Hogan’s relationship with the WWE took a dramatic turn, resulting in his departure from the company. Let’s delve into the reasons behind this shocking development. The Controversial Scandal In 2015, a scandal involving Hulk Hogan came to light that had severe implications for his career. A leaked sex tape featuring Hogan engaging in explicit activities and making racist remarks became public knowledge. The video sparked outrage and backlash from both fans and the wrestling community. The racially insensitive comments made by Hogan were deemed unacceptable by many, leading to significant consequences for his reputation and WWE’s association with him. The company was quick to distance itself from this controversy. Termination of Contract Following the scandal, WWE made the decision to terminate Hulk Hogan’s contract on July 24, 2015. The company released a statement stating that they were committed to embracing diversity and terminating their relationship with him due to his offensive remarks. This move was seen as an attempt by WWE to protect its brand image and preserve its commitment to inclusivity. Legal Battle with Gawker Media After being released by WWE, Hulk Hogan pursued legal action against Gawker Media, the website responsible for leaking the sex tape. In 2016, he won a lawsuit against Gawker Media for invasion of privacy, which resulted in a $140 million settlement awarded to him. Reconciliation with WWE In 2018, Hulk Hogan and WWE began to mend their relationship. The company reinstated him into the WWE Hall of Fame and issued a public statement acknowledging his contributions to the industry. Hogan expressed remorse for his actions and apologized for the offensive language used in the leaked video. Since then, Hulk Hogan has made sporadic appearances on WWE programming, but he has not returned to a full-time role as an active wrestler or spokesperson for the company. Conclusion Hulk Hogan’s departure from WWE was a result of a scandal involving a leaked sex tape containing explicit content and racist remarks. The controversy tarnished his reputation and led to WWE severing ties with him. However, in recent years, steps have been taken towards reconciliation and forgiveness, allowing Hogan to make occasional appearances within the WWE universe. While his departure was undoubtedly a significant event in wrestling history, it serves as a reminder that even icons are not immune to facing consequences for their actions.
