Hulk Hogan's nightmare is yet to end. In a massive breakdown of the professional wrestler's career, the entire race-related debacle's consequences still show no signs of stopping. Mere days following the leak of an audio clip which featured the "pillow talk" between the Hulkster and then lover Heather Clem, the professional life of one of the most prized athletes of the WWE universe came to a screeching halt - with endorsers, sponsors and other business relations pulling out almost instantaneously and simultaneously.
The latest in the string of contracts that had been backed away from following the scandal is the WWE 2K16 deal. In a statement released by WWE 2K16 creators, via Forbes, the company disclosed that they are cutting any and all professional ties from Hulk Hogan following his racist remarks caught on camera. "We are highly respectful of the way that our partners choose to run their business and manage our partnerships accordingly," stated the WWE 2K16 creators and producers in the official press release. They went on to say, "We can confirm that Hulk Hogan will not appear in WWE 2K16."
Earlier this week, WWE itself revealed that Hulk Hogan is no longer part of the company. As of Friday morning, no image or any related content with Hulk Hogan could be viewed in the website of WWE. In addition, the once highly sought after and respected wrestler now has been removed from WWE's Hall of Fame posted online.
According to WWE, the company decided to dismiss Hulk Hogan in adherence to the company's policy of respecting everyone regardless of race, gender, orientation and religious beliefs. "WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (a.k.a. Hulk Hogan)," the company said in a statement, according to PEOPLE Magazine. The company added, "WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide."
However, Hulk Hogan's camp claims otherwise. In a statement from the WWE wrestler's lawyer, David Houston, the athlete opted to resign from the company to refrain from dragging WWE's name to the mess. The attorney said, "He decided to resign from WWE because he didn't want to put them or his family through this."
The entire issue came to light when Hulk Hogan's sex tape with the former wife of his best friend, Bubba "The Love Sponge," Clem, surfaced via Gawker's website in 2012. With a $100 million lawsuit, the WWE star aimed at making the tabloid pay at allegedly invading his privacy, according to Radar Online. In addition, the WWE wrestler claimed that he was maliciously set up by his former friend and lover in an effort to extort cash from him as a result of the covertly recorded intimate moments.
