WWE fires Hulk Hogan, removes content, merchandise from websites

The WWE appears to have used its finishing move on Hulk Hogan.

The wrestling company confirmed Friday morning that it had terminated it’s contract with Hogan, hours after it scrubbed itself clean of most references to the wrestler, removing his merchandise from WWEShop.com and pulling him from their list of alumni and hall of famers on WWE.com. A search of his name on the site still returns more than 9,000 results — mostly videos from his career, which spanned three decades.

“WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan),” a statement from the WWE read. “WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide.”

The reason for Hogan being counted out isn’t clear. The WWE did not offer a reason for his termination in its release, but there is speculation that it may be related to a 2012 radio interview where Hogan used the n-word liberally.

n an appearance on DJ Whoo Kid’s Sirius XM show, Hogan was asked if anyone ever said to him, “You my n—-, Hulk,” to which Hogan responded that he had. The 61-year-old said that while he was living in Miami and socializing with Lil Wayne and Birdman everyone called him the n-word “and then I started saying it … but now all of a sudden I get heat when I say it.”

Hogan is also set to go to trial with Gawker Media, suing the company for publishing a video of Hogan having sex with his friend’s wife. Hogan is seeking $100 million in damages from the Nick Denton-fronted media company. New York Daily News