The wrestling world practically froze when it was confirmed that Hulk Hogan was backstage at WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view earlier this year in what was his first appearance for WWE in over three years. Hogan was fired from the company back in 2015 after a tape containing him using several racist remarks was published online. He apologized to the WWE roster members backstage during the show, and while some reportedly accepted the apology and are willing to forgive him, other wrestlers, such as Titus O’Neil and The New Day, have publicly said that they remain unconvinced that Hogan’s behavior has changed and will continue to feel that way until Hogan shows genuine proof that he is sorry.
Hulk Hogan was recently a guest on Bill Apter’s The Apter Chat podcast and he said that he is unsure as to why some in WWE have not accepted his apology. According to online reports, Hogan’s apology offended some backstage because he allegedly apologized for getting caught making the remarks and did not say he’s sorry for making the comment in the first place. Hogan says that those who have refused to embrace him lately don’t understand the “bond and brotherhood” that goes into wrestling. Hogan says that wrestlers should be willing to forgive those who make mistakes, and he hopes that any other wrestlers in the business who have an issue with him should tell him right to his face.
“A lot of people accepted my apology,” said Hogan. “And a lot of people heard what they wanted to hear and a lot of the narrative that came out of the meeting was on point. A lot of the narrative was really different. I was surprised to hear some people interpreted what I said that I was just sorry I got caught. I’m on camera, whatever they interpreted, but I never said that.”
Contracts for The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega are set to expire soon and WWE will reportedly be pursuing these game-changing wrestlers. Some fans have assumed that WWE must be upset with the All In and ROH/NJPW Madison Square Garden events selling out, and those fans appear to be right. According to a report from Cageside Seats, WWE is expected to go after numerous ROH and NJPW roster members as soon as possible. The talent raid from WWE is also said to be brought on by all of the unexpected success that the two promotions have been experiencing this year. It will certainly be interesting to see who stays in these promotions and who goes to WWE over the next few months.
