Legendary WWE announcer Jim Ross thinks Hulk Hogan will make a WWE comeback in 2018 after being fired from the company for using racial slurs.
Hulk Hogan, one of the most famous wrestling superstars in the history of WWE, has been missing from the company for a long time. In 2015, after an audio tape surfaced wherein Hogan can be heard using a racial slur, WWE swiftly terminated his contract. The tape was part of the sex tape posted by Gawker in 2012.
In 2016, Gawker lost a gigantic lawsuit to Hogan after a Florida jury found that the media company had violated Hogan’s privacy by posting a one-minute, 41-second clip of the sex tape online along with commentary. Gawker eventually settled with Hogan for $31 million.
Upon terminating Hogan, WWE, removed all traces of the famed wrestler from its website, removing links to his profile, merchandise, and photographs. But lately, there have been rumblings suggesting Hogan might soon return to WWE.
We asked one of the most highly revered figures in WWE history, Jim Ross, if he thinks Hogan will make a comeback soon. Ross is promoting the release of his new book " target="_blank"Slobberknocker: My Life in Wrestling," which he wrote with Paul O'Brien.
WWE did not respond to our request for a comment. Following is a transcript of the video.
Jim Ross: I don't have any insider knowledge that Hulk will be back in WWE, but if he isn't in 2018, I will be shocked.
[Jim Ross is a legendary WWE announcer and executive. He wrote a new memoir about his career in wrestling]
[An audio recording of Hogan using a racial slur surfaced in 2015. WWE swiftly terminated Hogan's contract]
The world has an interesting way of forgiving others. The guy paid his price. He had a trial. He lost jobs. He had a court case. I don't know what more he needs to do. And why are we his judge and jury? It seems right for, arguably the greatest alumnus of WWE ever with the most global name identity, will make his presence felt in WWE in some way.
I don't know what Terry – Hulk Hogan is able to do physically. I know he's still training. He's about my age — 64, but he's in really good shape. He looks awesome. So, I would say that Hulk is – there's a ticket for Hulk to punch somewhere to get back in WWE, at least on a reoccurring role-type basis, in my opinion.
If I were there, I would encourage that development. If you don't like him, don't watch the damn thing, but I believe he belongs on that television show or WWE in general, and that somewhere in 2018 that will happen.