WWE Cuts Ties with Hulk Hogan Over Racist Quotes

Another pop culture hero goes down in flames – pro wrestler Hulk Hogan has been cut loose from the WWE after an explosive report from the National Enquirer and Radar Online, which claims that Hogan was recorded using the N-word numerous times.

Reportedly, Hogan was having a conversation with Heather Clem (wife of his former friend Bubba Clem and the woman from the infamous sex tape published by Gawker, for which he’s suing them $100 million) and started complaining about his daughter Brooke’s “real bad decisions” regarding her music career. Later he launched into a rant about a “black billionaire guy” who was supposedly helping her, and that’s when things get really ugly.

“I don’t know if Brooke was fucking the black guy’s son. I mean, I don’t have double standards. I mean, I am a racist, to a point, fucking n*****s. But then, when it comes to nice people and shit, and whatever. […] I mean, I’d rather if she was going to fuck some n****r, I’d rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n****r worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player!

“I guess we’re all a little racist. Fucking n***r.”

Before all this went down, Hulk Hogan was enjoying some internet popularity over the Gawker lawsuit because people were angry about Gawker outing a Conde Nast executive. That goodwill is now gone. Most reactions fall into two categories: “Oh No My Childhood” and “He Should Be Donald Trump’s Running Mate” (Trump is a super fan and supporter of the WWE, and also under fire for racist comments about Mexicans.)

Hogan made this statement to 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.”

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

Hogan’s lawyer David Houston contests that Hogan resigned and wasn’t fired. “He decided to resign from WWE because he didn’t want to put them or his family through this.”