WWE Was Reportedly Close to Bringing Hulk Hogan Back in Saudi Arabia

As has been reported, WWE and Hulk Hogan have had recent talks about a possible return to the company. TMZ now has a story today saying that “plans to bring Hulk Hogan back to the squared circle are currently underway.”

According to TMZ, members of the Saudi royal family specifically asked for Hulk Hogan to be part of Greatest Royal Rumble. This apparently triggered a dialog between Hogan and WWE, though ultimately he was obviously not brought in for the show.

TMZ says that their sources say that WWE wants to bring Hogan back but they want to make sure it’s done “the right way” and they want to be sensitive to people who were offended by Hogan’s past racist comments that got him fired in 2015.

Hogan was inducted into the Boys and Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame and gave a speech at the event this week, saying that he wanted to help educate kids to not use the same language that he did. Hogan was well-received at the event and got a loud ovation.

TMZ says that WWE was “paying close attention” to Hogan’s speech and how it would be received.

When asked for comment, WWE released this statement to TMZ: “WWE applauds the work Hulk Hogan is doing with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to turn what was a negative into a positive by helping young people learn from his mistake. While he has taken many steps in the right direction since we parted ways, Hogan is not currently under contract to WWE.”

You guys! Too many amazing words & tributes to @BGCA_Clubs for 1 post congratulations & #ThankYou to @shaunwhite @BeckyBonner25 @mattbonner_15 @jasonderulo @HulkHogan @Terrell_Davis videos & inspiring words to follow #HallOfFame pic.twitter.com/bPArFL2bUJ

— Boys Girls Club GA (@BoysGirlsClubGA) May 3, 2018

WWE has wanted to bring Hogan back for a while and the issue has always been whether or not they feel that there will be backlash against him from fans, and ultimately more importantly to them, advertisers.