WWE Issues Statement On Reported Talks With Hulk Hogan

Following a TMZ report about Hulk Hogan nearing a return to the company, WWE has again commented on his status.

TMZ Sports reported today that high-ranking WWE officials and Hogan have been in contact and both sides want to make sure his return is done “the right way.” TMZ also noted that WWE was paying close attention to Hogan’s induction speech at the Boys & Girls Club’s alumni Hall of Fame ceremony earlier this week, where he spoke about having the chance to help kids not make the same mistakes he’s made.

WWE issued this statement on the story: “WWE applauds the work Hulk Hogan is doing with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to turn what was a negative into a positive by helping young people learn from his mistake. While he has taken many steps in the right direction since we parted ways, Hogan is not currently under contract to WWE.”

Though he didn’t end up working the show, TMZ wrote that a member of the Saudi royal family asked for Hogan to participate in last week’s Greatest Royal Rumble event. That apparently led to more talks between the sides.

PWInsider reported in March that WWE and Hogan had been talking about him making a return in some form, with the company replying that they’ve had discussions with him about how he can help others learn from his mistakes. WWE stated that Hogan wasn’t scheduled for any of their upcoming events after HBO invited him to the premiere of their Andre the Giant documentary.

WWE parted ways with Hogan in 2015 after a profane, racist tirade from the wrestling legend about his daughter’s sex life was caught on tape and uncovered. Hogan used the N-word multiple times in the rant.

WWE moved swiftly to terminate his contract and scrub its website of all references to and images of Hogan. It said in a statement at the time that it was “committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide.”