Posted in: Mr. Tito
MR. TITO STRIKES BACK - Hypocritcal WWE Terminates Hulk Hogan - Why?
By Mr. Tito
Jul 26, 2015 - 2:05:18 AM

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Throughout the 2000's, Hulk Hogan had it all... After his run with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) ended (last seen in 2000 with that company), there were questions as to what Hogan would do next. By March 2001 when WCW closed, Hogan was 47 years old and his return to the WWE was questionable given his WWE exit in 1993 and Hogan's testimony at Vince McMahon's trial shortly thereafter. However, Hulk Hogan returned to the WWE during 2002 and enjoyed several different runs in the WWE between 2002-2007. Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during 2006. Also during the 2000's, Hogan had a decent reality television show called Hogan Knows Best on VH1 and Hogan used that to make a name for his daughter, Brooke Hogan, as a musician. She had a single that was #33 on the Billboard charts.

But then, just when Hogan returned to prominence in the pro wrestling industry and celebrity life, things went horribly wrong starting in 2007:

(1) Hogan's son, Nick Hogan, was in a car wreck which left the passenger impaired for the rest of his life during November 2007. Nick was charged with reckless driving along with having blood alcohol content above the legal limit and he was under 21 years old at the time. He was sentenced to 8 months in prison, probation, community sentence, and a suspended license for 3 years. On top of legal issues, the release of audio released of conversations between Nick and his family by the Jail. There was blame on the passenger and his family for Nick's indictment while Hulk Hogan's interest appeared to be on a reality show for Nick after his jail sentence.

(2) Divorce with Linda Hogan, also starting in November 2007. The tabloids were hinting at infidelity a year before, once the divorce was filed, things became nasty in the press. Reportedly, the divorce was favorable to Linda and wiped out Hogan financially who just ending his WWE tenure. Note the timing of the divorce and when the reported sex tape was filmed, as discussed below.

(3) Health failures... Hogan's back gave out during the mid-2000's and as you saw on Hogan Knows Best, he required medicine to actually be injected directly into his spinal cord following his SummerSlam 2005 match with Shawn Michaels. He had several procedures on his back that led really impaired him to the point where he required spinal fusion surgery through 2010. Just the psychology of his body breaking down had to weigh on him, much like NFL players at the end of their careers. His in-ring career was ending after over 3 decades in the ring.

(4) Bubba the Love Sponge. During the 1990's and 2000's, Hulk Hogan appeared on the Bubba the Love Sponge radio show often. Bubba loved having access to one of wrestling's top stars and they appeared to have become friends. So close that Bubba would lend Hogan his wife and she agreed. During 2006, as the New York Daily News reported, Hogan was filmed with Bubba's wife without Hogan's consent. During 2012, clips of the sexual encounter part of the tape leaked online. Then, popular blog Gawker actually posted a clip on their website during October 2012. Hogan file a lawsuit against Bubba and his now ex-wife (they settled out of court) and also for $100 million against Gawker.

Think about the absurdity of #4. In 2006, if that is the correct year according to the New York Daily News, Hulk Hogan was still married. Somehow, he works out an arrangement with a guy who Hogan believes is a best friend to bang his wife (among other things). Bubba the Love Sponge is reportedly in the office nearby and is totally OK with the situation... Now, we know why... Bubba and his wife were filming everything! Both the sexual acts and the conversations afterward. This one decision of Hulk Hogan may prove to be the worst decision he ever made. The logical part of Hogan's brain should have said "NO" to a shock radio friend's offer of "hey, come over my house so that you can cheat on your wife with my wife... Uhhh, no strings attached!" Remember, my fellow economists, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH!

Problems, problems, problems... The WWE Corporation kept their distance from Hogan but luckily for the Hulkster, TNA Wrestling employed him. However, during 2014, Hulk Hogan returned to the WWE. He has since been making RAW and Wrestlemania appearances, acting as a judge on Tough Enough, and has performed on multiple WWE Network functions. It appeared that the bad luck and misfortune were behind Hogan... But that damn sex tape returned to haunt Hogan.

The National Enquirer obtained leaked content from the tapes that were supposed to be sealed from the Gawker lawsuit and reported a conversation that Hulk Hogan had with Bubba the Love Sponge's wife... Hogan was reportedly upset with his daughter Brooke dating black man and went on to use the N-word repeatedly and even admitted that he's a racist ("to a point"). WWE acted swiftly and terminated Hulk Hogan on Friday, 7/24/2015. Worse yet, they appear to be giving Hulk Hogan the "Chris Benoit" treatment by scrubbing Hogan off of WWE.com, WWE Network, possibly a WWE Film that Hogan worked on, and other materials.

Wow... One of the biggest building blocks for the WWE is gone... Hogan wrestled in the company's first 9 Wrestlemania shows and later returned to wrestle a few more during the 2000's. Hogan defined the 1980's and early 1990's for the WWE but he was also a big part of WCW's success from 1994-1998. Cannot deny that... But to scrub your entire product of a key member of your WWE Hall of Fame and Mount Rushmore of greatest WWE performers ever, that's aggressive...

In my opinion, the WWE already has a precedent and possibly a worse case than Hogan's. During 2008, WWE official Michael PS Hayes was suspended for 60 days for a racial slur said directly to pro wrestler Mark Henry. As TMZ reported back then, Hayes told Mark Henry at a party during Wrestlemania weekend that "I'm more of a (N-word) than you are". After Hayes served his 60 days, he returned to his role backstage as part of WWE management and creative team. Do a Google search on your own for other reported incidents. This is the same guy who used to be draped in the Confederate Flag and also had it painted on his face back when he was a wrestler. Hayes is also the same guy who was spotted having drinks with Rose Mendes, a recovering alcoholic. He was reportedly suspended a few weeks for that, but he remains with the company....

The precedent is there... 60 Day Suspension. WWE should realize that they have some need to have Hulk Hogan around as long as they are dependent on WWE Network to survive. I'm sure that Shareholders would understand... If Comcast/NBC/Universal wants to ban Hogan from RAW, Smackdown, and Tough Enough shows, that's fine... WWE has to abide by the wishes of their broadcaster (hence, the PG rating on the shows now).

HOWEVER - Timing is everything. The culture in the United States of America is changing. In the past few decades, there has been growth in multiple minority groups in the United States. Furthermore, society is becoming more open with admitting sexual preferences and gender changes. On top of that, it has been the policy of the first black President, Barack Obama, to utilize his Justice Department to shine a light on racism towards blacks that appears to remain in the U.S. justice system. I'm not here to state an opinion on that policy or not, but there have been various high profile cases involving police and blacks that have received attention from the Justice Department and from the highest office in the land, the President of the United States. For example, there was a bright spotlight by political interests and the media on the Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and right now, Sandra Bland cases. Social Media websites are tracking those cases heavily as well, possibly following the lead set by policy.

With that being said, what you're seeing is a shifting change United States culture... As minorities and other groups gain strength in numbers, many stereotypes and once thought to be playground taunts are now being deemed insensitive. Any slurs or symbols that were once thought to be OK or accepted by the majority are beginning to be chipped away as the majority loses power by the year. As you saw recently, the Confederate Flag was removed from the State Capitol building in South Carolina after years of debate. Momentum from recent events kept building and it took an unfortunately shooting at a Church practically end that flag's presence on South Carolina state's grounds. Many cite the Confederate Flag as "Southern Heritage" but to blacks, it's a reminder of their heritage as slaves before the Civil War and that flag's usage after the Civil War through continued racism by various hate groups.

As you can see, if Hulk Hogan said this in 2008, like Michael PS Hayes, he could have just been suspended by the WWE. HOWEVER, the United States culture is changing quickly. Different groups of people based on race or sexual preference are growing in size and carrying a larger megaphone to let anyone know what might offend them. Thus, what was thought to be an accepted stereotype to laugh at years ago or what was a playground taunt is unacceptable now. Go watch a 1980's comedy... There's NO WAY that Hollywood could get away with jokes mocking blacks, gays, or other ethnicities today. Police Academy mocks blacks throughout and Revenge of the Nerds jokes about gays and Asians, for example. Those wouldn't get made today...

As I said above, "Timing is everything"... Hulk Hogan said awful things about blacks although he was filmed illegally saying such things. But right now, United States culture is eradicating slurs and is intolerant of racists or bigots. Sure, what Hogan said was during 2006, but that didn't stop Paula Deen from losing everything based on what she said during the 1980's.

However, let's actually consider the WWE that terminated Hulk Hogan, shall we? Sure, many of you could point out how they made the Rock into a major star. I could easily argue that Rock was placed in the stereotypical Nation of Domination, but WWE tried from day one to make him a star and once they knew he was really special by late 1997, they pushed him hard. But I'd argue that the Rock is an exception for how blacks have been treated in the WWE:

- Virgil, the Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase's help. To WWE's credit, they did have Virgil overcome Dibiase and win the Million Dollar Belt.

- The Godfather - He was a full blown pimp. Granted, I was heavily entertained by the gimmick because of the eye candy, but he was a character developed from stereotypes.

- Shelton Benjamin's stereotypical heavy set mother character... "Momma" as she was called. This gimmick really held Benjamin down as he was one of the most talented in-ring wrestlers on the roster.

- Naming teams Cryme Tyme and Prime Time Players for black tag team names. Just absurd.

- Triple H's promo against Booker T before Wrestlemania 19. Most insensitive thing that I've ever heard on WWE television.

Right now, I'd argue that the New Day is just awful booking by the WWE as it's just throwing together 3 random black wrestlers into a group. What happened to those various singles pushes that Kofi Kingston and Big E Langston that were suddenly dropped? These guys are constantly made into a mockery and in addition to R-Truth on the WWE roster, they have no chance to be developed into top level WWE superstars.

WWE has some racial eggs on their faces... In addition to giving someone like Michael PS Hayes repeat chances, they haven't been perfect on racial relations themselves outside of exceptions like The Rock, Teddy Long, and Mark Henry, although Mark Henry has had his share of booking ridicule but the WWE has given him a long leash to succeed. WWE doesn't exactly have a great record with gays (remember Chuck & Billy's wedding?) and other minority groups (remember the "Mexicools"?).

And for Hulk Hogan, we don't see a history of racist behavior on his end... Would a racist person be so willing to put over the Rock 100% clean at Wrestlemania 18? Hogan had more reported issues wrestling Steve Austin, a white guy, during 2002 than he did the Rock. He did amazing business with the Rock (although, who wouldn't?).

Tough world we live in... Many think we're becoming too politically correct but I believe it's just a matter of diversity increasing and old vocabulary and stereotypes being put to pasture.

Hulk Hogan just has to rehab himself and prove that he's the guy who created many financial opportunities for many wrestlers throughout the years. Just go on the road and do many independent appearances to rebuild your character and career. There's good money to be made signing autographs and as a big name on independent shows. Time heals everything... After all, the WWE hired you back after a sex tape was released less than 2 years earlier... Think about that.

Public figures just have to be careful on what they say... The United States and the World is changing... Time to understand it and it's time to evolve. Diversity is growing...

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PHAT QUESTIONS

Question #1: What caused Sable to leave the WWE during 1999?

Simple... Celebrity females who get over based on sex appeal usually attract male fans by the dozens when they tease nudity. This is why someone like Britney Spears was extremely popular before the upskirt shot and seemed to be on the downslide afterward. Once Sable did Playboy, her male fans saw it all and the tease was over. I'm guessing that her Quarter hours started to slip after that Playboy issue was released and other females that WWE hired during that time probably took away attention as well. Sable's net worth to the WWE was diminishing but her belief in her own personal worth was rising due to the raging success of the Playboy issue.

Maybe the 1998 success went to her head? I don't know, but what I do know is that many backstage in the WWE during that period of time did not like her. X-Pac (Sean Waltman) fully admits to crapping in her gym bag as a result of her being disliked. It's probably a mixture of reduced leverage and a backstage culture treating women improperly that led to her exit. No way that any WWE superstar could get away with crapping in a female personality's gym bag now, especially in the Corporate WWE.

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Question #2: What was the best LIVE wrestling event that you've seen?

No question, it was an ECW houseshow that I saw in 1997 just after their first Pay Per View, Barely Legal. It was a show, I think, to benefit striking Steel Workers in the West Virginia area. I had to travel far and on many windy roads to get to a college named West Liberty. The show was right before Perry Saturn hurt his leg and before the WCW exodus of Raven, Stevie Richards, and Raven. I had 2nd row floor seats for this show and it was AMAZING. The ECW atmosphere, alone, was amazing and to hear those stereos blast your favorite real music theme song... Oh damn. And Sandman spit beer at me!

The show is noteworthy to me because it actually had Stevie Richards overcoming his bully and defeating Raven in a singles match! Holy dow. Balls Mahoney can deliver a NASTY chairshot... I cringed at how hard he swings that chair! Bubba Ray Dudley actually told off our crowd and it was my first exposure to his nasty promos. Some guy had a Davey Crockett hat on and he thrashed him with every inbred joke in the book. I think the Dudleys and Eliminators had a more balanced match there than what you saw on Barely Legal.

Honestly, I've seen very subpar RAW and Smackdown tapings... I'm bad luck at attending those. I have yet to attend a WWE Pay Per View and I'm kicking myself for missing the 1998 King of the Ring show in Pittsburgh, PA. D'oh!

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Question #3: Why do you call Kevin Owens a "rookie"?

Because he's in his first year as a WWE main roster wrestler... That's why.

Seriously I'm getting lots of heat for this one. Owens has been on the main WWE roster for 2 months. How is he not a "rookie"? Someone in the farm system for Major League Baseball for many years who plays their first year in Major League Baseball is called a "rookie". Thus, Kevin Owens is in the first year of his WWE main roster career so thus he's a "rookie".

Get over it, Internet Fans. How is that offensive to Kevin Owens? I've been singing Owens's praises over his matches with John Cena and his match with Dolph Ziggler. The guy is a legitimate worker. Hell, I even compared him to Dusty Rhodes and that's a compliment because I hold Dusty in high regard. I'm more than well aware of the fact that Kevin Owens wrestled 15 some odd years... But as a main roster WWE guy, he's 2 months in. That's a "rookie".

And if I had Kevin Owens's rookie card, it would be a collectable based on the way he's hit nothing but homeruns in his match with John Cena. Owens is an amazing in-ring worker and a decent talker. I'm not so crazy on him wrestling with a cut-off sleeve t-shirt, but someone like Mick Foley wore much worse and was considered great. Other than that, I see nothing but potential with Owens in his just 2 years of main WWE roster exposure. Maybe I'm poorly labeling him... I'll call him "WWE Rookie" instead? And technically speaking, he's still within his first full year of WWE Corporation employment as he signed his developmental deal in August 2014.

I like Kevin Owens and have praised him repeatedly in various columns already within his 2 month WWE tenure. Get off my back...

SO JUST CHILL... 'TIL THE NEXT EPISODE!

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