1. Hogan Fired In N-Word Scandal
How could anything else be number 1? Hulk Hogan was a treasured member of the WWE Universe, a champion of American values in the 80s, and remained one of the biggest icons in the sport even after he retired from in-ring competition. This year, he was fired by WWE after racial comments he'd made in private were leaked during his ongoing sex tape scandal lawsuit. That is one hell of a sentence, one I never thought I'd type. Hogan was scrubbed from WWE.com, his profile removed from the Hall of Fame section of the site, and his Legends contract terminated. WWE's corporate activism is at such a stage that it simply cannot afford to be associated with anyone charged with racial discrimination of any sort. Despite the Hulkster being one of the most recognisable people on the planet, the company have had to cut the ageing cash-cow loose for the sake of their dwindling credibility. The loss of Hogan represents the pinnacle of a very long year for WWE, one in which Fate gave them repeated chair-shots to the head.