My Monday column in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review addresses the controversy surrounding Hulk Hogan and WWE terminating his contract. The following is an excerpt:
“When it comes crashing down and it hurts inside.”
The opening lyrics of Hulk Hogan’s entrance song, “Real American” — how relevant those words seem now.
I stand by WWE’s decision to distance itself from Hulk Hogan.
On Friday, transcripts and reports of a racial rant by the professional wrestling legend surfaced. The controversial words were obtained from private recordings relevant to the trial he’s about to begin, in which he’s suing Gawker for posting on its website footage from a sex tape of Hogan and Heather Clem.
WWE had been using Hogan as a public relations ambassador in various capacities since he returned to the organization last year.
Hogan is now a public relations nightmare. WWE isn’t just his employer; it’s the company that made him. Hogan and WWE’s relationship dates to 1979. It’s the right thing for WWE to do protect their reputation, audience and employees.
The comments he made were in poor taste and offensive, regardless of whether he knew he was being recorded.
Hogan is on the Mt. Rushmore of professional wrestling and a pop culture icon since the 1980s. Hogan’s fame makes him more likely to be caught and for people to take greater offense to his comments.
I believe this level of fame has allowed him to feel invincible.
Did Hulk Hogan or Terry Bollea make the comments? This and more in the rest of the column. CLICK HERE to read.
