Shamed wrestler Hulk Hogan has been welcomed back into the WWE Hall of Fame three years after he was fired for racism.
Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, was fired after tapes recorded in 2007 revealed him making racist statements about his daughter Brooke's ex-boyfriend.
The recording surfaced during Hogan's $100m libel case against Gawker in 2015, after the celebrity news site published a sex tape of the wrestler with his best friend's wife.
Just met with the @WWE Superstars and on all levels the volume of love and support was overwhelming. Ive been praying for this day and I finally feel like I made it back home. Only Love 4 the #WWEUNIVERSE brother HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) July 15, 2018
His quotes were published by the National Enquirer and Radar Online ahead of the trial.
He was reportedly heard saying in the recording that "I am racist, to a point" and repeatedly used the word "n*****".
The WWE severed ties with Hogan in July 2015.
The wrestling body confirmed on their website on Sunday that the 64-year-old, who is one of the biggest names ever in the sports entertainment franchise, has been welcomed back into the WWE family.
Its statement read: "After a three-year suspension, Hulk Hogan has been reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame.
"This second chance follows Hogan's numerous public apologies and volunteering work with young people, where is helping them learn from his mistake.
So proud of the true transformation my father has made spiritually & as a human. None of us are perfect, but we can UNlearn old things & learn new ways. Everyones evolution is unique to them & Gods timing. Thx to the fans for the endless love. Round 2 here we come. #Hulkamania https://t.co/QfA24eKruW
— Brooke Hogan (@MizzHogan) July 15, 2018
I see a lot of people not getting why some fans arent happy about Hulk Hogans return. It doesnt matter that he said it in the confines of his home. HE STILL SAID IT.
— Miya (@geekIS_sheek) July 15, 2018
"These efforts led to a recent induction into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Alumni Hall of Fame."
Hogan has said he feels like he is "back home" after the decision, and posted: "Just met with the @WWE Superstars and on all levels the volume of love and support was overwhelming.
"I've been praying for this day and I finally feel like I made it back home.
"Only Love 4 the #WWEUNIVERSE brother HH."
Hogan's reinstatement into the hall of fame was met with a mixed response on social media.
His daughter Brooke praised her father's "transformation", adding: "None of us are perfect, but we can unlearn old things and learn new ways."
The wrestler Zack Ryder also celebrated his return, referring to him as "brother" in a tweet.
But a Twitter used named only as "Miya" was unimpressed with the WWE's decision, writing: "It doesn't matter that he said it in the confines of his home. He still said it."
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Hulk Hogan reinstated to #WWE HOF per an Instagram post I just saw from them. I dont really get the point in announcing that. Hes synonymous with WWE no matter what, and now all youve done is tell people that it only takes 3 years to get over obvious, in your face racism.
— Benjamin Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) July 15, 2018
Michigan-based news reporter Benjamin Raven also criticised the decision and wrote: "All you've done is tell people that it only takes three years to get over obvious, in your face racism."
The wrestler won $140m (£95.4m) in damages in his sex tape case against Gawker in March 2016.
Shamed wrestler Hulk Hogan has been welcomed back into the WWE Hall of Fame three years after he was fired for racism.
Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, was fired after tapes recorded in 2007 revealed him making racist statements about his daughter Brooke's ex-boyfriend.
The recording surfaced during Hogan's $100m libel case against Gawker in 2015, after the celebrity news site published a sex tape of the wrestler with his best friend's wife.
Just met with the @WWE Superstars and on all levels the volume of love and support was overwhelming. Ive been praying for this day and I finally feel like I made it back home. Only Love 4 the #WWEUNIVERSE brother HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) July 15, 2018
His quotes were published by the National Enquirer and Radar Online ahead of the trial.
He was reportedly heard saying in the recording that "I am racist, to a point" and repeatedly used the word "n*****".
The WWE severed ties with Hogan in July 2015.
The wrestling body confirmed on their website on Sunday that the 64-year-old, who is one of the biggest names ever in the sports entertainment franchise, has been welcomed back into the WWE family.
Its statement read: "After a three-year suspension, Hulk Hogan has been reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame.
"This second chance follows Hogan's numerous public apologies and volunteering work with young people, where is helping them learn from his mistake.
So proud of the true transformation my father has made spiritually & as a human. None of us are perfect, but we can UNlearn old things & learn new ways. Everyones evolution is unique to them & Gods timing. Thx to the fans for the endless love. Round 2 here we come. #Hulkamania https://t.co/QfA24eKruW
— Brooke Hogan (@MizzHogan) July 15, 2018
I see a lot of people not getting why some fans arent happy about Hulk Hogans return. It doesnt matter that he said it in the confines of his home. HE STILL SAID IT.
— Miya (@geekIS_sheek) July 15, 2018
"These efforts led to a recent induction into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Alumni Hall of Fame."
Hogan has said he feels like he is "back home" after the decision, and posted: "Just met with the @WWE Superstars and on all levels the volume of love and support was overwhelming.
"I've been praying for this day and I finally feel like I made it back home.
"Only Love 4 the #WWEUNIVERSE brother HH."
Hogan's reinstatement into the hall of fame was met with a mixed response on social media.
His daughter Brooke praised her father's "transformation", adding: "None of us are perfect, but we can unlearn old things and learn new ways."
The wrestler Zack Ryder also celebrated his return, referring to him as "brother" in a tweet.
But a Twitter used named only as "Miya" was unimpressed with the WWE's decision, writing: "It doesn't matter that he said it in the confines of his home. He still said it."
More from Entertainment
Hulk Hogan reinstated to #WWE HOF per an Instagram post I just saw from them. I dont really get the point in announcing that. Hes synonymous with WWE no matter what, and now all youve done is tell people that it only takes 3 years to get over obvious, in your face racism.
— Benjamin Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) July 15, 2018
Michigan-based news reporter Benjamin Raven also criticised the decision and wrote: "All you've done is tell people that it only takes three years to get over obvious, in your face racism."
The wrestler won $140m (£95.4m) in damages in his sex tape case against Gawker in March 2016.
