10 Huge Stories That Changed Wrestling In 2016

6. Big Time Lawsuits

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Wrestling has always been a murky business wrought with shady goings-on behind the scenes, and 2016 has been no different. This year has brought a number of major court cases to the industry, and it starts with Hulk Hogan’s suit against Gawker. The wrestling icon hit the media company with a serious leg drop earlier in the year when a judge awarded him $115 million in damages, effectively sending Gawker into bankruptcy.

The case came as a result of Hogan’s leaked sex tape in 2015, and the allegations of racism that followed. It effectively saw Hogan blacklisted from the wrestling industry as a whole, with WWE going to great lengths to scrub him from history. Hulk won’t receive the full $115 from Gawker, but the case has, in the eyes of many, cleared his public name somewhat, and all signs point towards an eventual WWE return.

Hogan’s wasn’t the only lawsuit to hit wrestling this year, however. Jimmy Snuka’s alleged murder case rumbles on amidst reports that the terminally ill wrestler has just six months to live, and in July, 53 former WWE employees launched a class action lawsuit against the company. Names like Road Warrior Animal and Paul Orndorff claim the company was responsible for multiple cases of head trauma leading to concussions and long-term brain damage, and WWE, of course, are fighting the allegations tooth and nail.

A hectic courtroom year for wrestling, and one that WWE and Hulk Hogan will be pleased to leave behind.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.