4 Wrestlers Whose Pasts Caught Up With Them In 2015

2. Hulk Hogan

There was no greater hero to lifelong fans of professional wrestling than Hulk Hogan. The originator of Hulkamania, he implored young fans to take their vitamins, say their prayers and workout. He called them the "three demandments" and practiced them himself before every major WWE Championship defense against Andre the Giant, Randy Savage or Ric Flair. He was a real hero, someone fans could be proud of and look up to. Best of all, he broke the mold, becoming a legitimate pop cultural phenomenon and household name. Over the course of four decades, he was consistently among the biggest stars in the industry, his many accomplishments and name recognition keeping him relevant. In 2014, Hogan returned to WWE after a lengthy absence, assuming the role of brand ambassador. In many ways, he was the Babe Ruth of professional wrestling, its greatest star and spokesman. Unfortunately, a year later, his relationship with the promotion came crashing down (and it hurt inside) when video surfaced that painted The Hulkster as a racist. As part of the videotaped sexual escapades between Hogan and the wife of radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge, the video featured Hogan repeatedly dropping the "n" word while referring to African-Americans. His rant was intolerant and full of venom. That Hogan turned to social media in its wake, retweeting photos and comments that somehow painted him as a victim in the scenario did not help matters. WWE had no other choice but to terminate all contact with Hogan, releasing him from his Legends contract and removing him from the Hall of Fame portion of its website. Hogan issued apologies in the wake of the scandal, all the while becoming fodder for internet memes. An ABC News interview on Good Morning America even saw Hogan admit guilt and try to move forward. But for some, The Hulkster's career will forever be tainted by the controversial comments he made during a sex tape he had no idea was even being recorded. Whether he is ever welcomed back into the WWE with open arms by management and fans remains to be seen.