Hulk Hogan is speaking out about a just-released audio transcript that features him making racist slurs.
"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,"
Hogan said in a statement exclusively to PEOPLE.
The transcript featuring that conversation was published online by the National Enquirer.
"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," Hogan told PEOPLE. "I am disappointed with myself that I used language that is offensive and inconsistent with my own beliefs."
Hogan was scrubbed from the WWE's website on Friday morning, with no videos or photos of the famed wrestler remaining. He was also removed from the online Hall of Fame. His lawyer David Houston confirmed that he has resigned.
"He decided to resign from WWE because he didn't want to put them or his family through this," Houston said.
"WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (a.k.a. Hulk Hogan). WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide."
Anyone who still watches wrestling can see the racial divide in storylines. Black wrestlers as teams, even the divas.
It's disgusting. Apart from The Rock, who is light-skinned, and Ron Simmons (Faarooq of the A.P.A.) from the mid-90s and 00s, which black wrestlers have actually been one of the main guys in the locker room? I struggle to name a handful.
I guess Booker T is an exception because his "black struggle" story is so inspiring to young children. Mess and a half.
Anyone who still watches wrestling can see the racial divide in storylines. Black wrestlers as teams, even the divas.
It's disgusting. Apart from The Rock, who is light-skinned, and Ron Simmons (Faarooq of the A.P.A.) from the mid-90s and 00s, which black wrestlers have actually been one of the main guys in the locker room? I struggle to name a handful.
BYEE!! Naomi & Cameron and Naomi & Sasha Banks as Team are ICONIC!! They slay together, why would that be racist? Yet you ignore the fact that Alicia Fox is with the Bellas!
This. All these celebs who make "apologies" like this only AFTER their **** gets put on blast are so transparent. He's in the same category as Mark Wahlberg imo.
BYEE!! Naomi & Cameron and Naomi & Sasha Banks as Team are ICONIC!! They slay together, why would that be racist? Yet you ignore the fact that Alicia Fox is with the Bellas!
This past week alone: The Prime Time Players and Mark Henry against The New Day on Raw. How can you not see it.
This past week alone: The Prime Time Players and Mark Henry against The New Day on Raw. How can you not see it.
now you're going way to far and reaching to find a racism. so because they are black, they shouldn't team together and wrestle other wrestlers who are also black? if it were white guys, nobody would say anything, in Japan when they put together asian guys, nobody calls it racism either! What I would complain about WWE is the lack of asian, latin and black people! they should sign more people! Tough Enough you had all white contestans except Partick who was black and Gabi who was latin! I think that is bigger problem than having all black team together!
Anyone who still watches wrestling can see the racial divide in storylines. Black wrestlers as teams, even the divas.
It's disgusting. Apart from The Rock, who is light-skinned, and Ron Simmons (Faarooq of the A.P.A.) from the mid-90s and 00s, which black wrestlers have actually been one of the main guys in the locker room? I struggle to name a handful.
I guess Booker T is an exception because his "black struggle" story is so inspiring to young children. Mess and a half.
This past week alone: The Prime Time Players and Mark Henry against The New Day on Raw. How can you not see it.
To be fair, the only tag teams in the division now are black. Tyson is injured, ending Tyson and Cesaro, Ascension was DOA, and Lucha dragon for whatever reason will not be getting a push.
All these celebs who make "apologies" like this only AFTER their **** gets put on blast are so transparent. He's in the same category as Mark Wahlberg imo.