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LOS ANGELES, July 24 (UPI) -- Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, was fired by World Wrestling Entertainment on Friday over his alleged use of racial slurs. The 61-year-old wrestler's contract was terminated amid reports he used racial slurs to describe his daughter's beau in his 2012 sex tape. WWE reportedly learned of the remarks from a transcript of the video used in Hogan's ongoing lawsuit over the tape.
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"WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan)," the company said in a statement. "WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide."
Hogan's attorney told TMZ the wrestler wasn't fired, claiming he resigned Thursday. The WWE star cryptically tweeted, "In the storm I release control,God and his Universe will sail me where he wants me to be,onelove. HH," late that night.
Hogan's name has since been stripped from the WWE website, where he is no longer listed as a hall of fame member or alumnus. The scandal has caused many to point to the wrestler's use of racial slurs in a 2012 interview, prompting DJ Whoo Kid to defend the particular instance on Twitter.
nothing racist about that @HulkHogan 2012 interview I did. He was just explaining the usage of the Nword amongst his rapper friends and WWF
— DJ Whoo Kid (@DJWhooKid) July 24, 2015Hogan came to fame with the WWE, then the WWF, in the 1980s, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. He is also known for starring on VH1 reality series Hogan Knows Best and Brooke Knows Best, and last appeared in Sting's corner at Wrestlemania 31 in March.
