Legendary WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan passes away

From WWE.com:

WWE is saddened to learn that Terry Bollea, recognized globally as Legendary WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, has passed away on July 24 at 71.

One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition with the Hulkamania craze of the 1980s and reignited sports-entertainment’s popularity in the 1990s through his leadership of the New World Order in WCW. Whether he was a hero or villain, clad in red and yellow or black and white, The Hulkster was always one of the ring’s most popular and enduring stars.

Hogan abandoned a career in music with his Tampa, Fla.-based band, Ruckus, when he was discovered by WWE Hall of Famers Jack and Gerry Brisco. In 1977, Hogan began training with Hiro Matsuda, who intentionally broke Hogan’s lower leg just to see if he was passionate enough to return to training in the ring or would instead return to playing bass guitar.

A year later on Aug. 10, 1977, Hogan had his first match against B. Brian Blair in Fort Myers, Fla., for Championship Wrestling from Florida. Hogan competed under a mask as Super Destroyer in Florida and then teamed with his friend Ed Leslie (who would become Brutus Beefcake) as brothers Terry and Ed Boulder in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia. It was after appearing on a local talk show in Memphis with TV’s Incredible Hulk, Lou Ferrigno, that he began calling himself Terry “The Hulk” Boulder because he was so much larger than Ferrigno.

He first appeared in WWE in 1979 and was named Hulk Hogan by Vincent J. McMahon. As a villain, Hogan defeated (the future Million Dollar Man) Ted DiBiase in his first match at Madison Square Garden, challenged Bob Backlund for the WWE Championship, and collided with Andre the Giant eight years before WrestleMania III in August 1980 at New York City’s Shea Stadium.

After appearing in "Rocky III," Hogan spent the next three years competing for Verne Gagne’s AWA and Antonio Inoki’s New Japan Pro Wrestling. Hogan then made the move to WWE where he defeated The Iron Sheik to become to WWE Champion on Jan. 23, 1984, beginning a pop culture craze that would be known as Hulkamania.

For nearly a decade, WWE and Hulkamania’s footprints grew together. WWE expanded to nationally syndicated television, then pay-per-per-view, with Hogan headlining in a litany of classics, including teaming with television’s biggest star, Mr. T, at the first WrestleMania and defeating Andre the Giant in front of more than 93,000 fans at WrestleMania III.

All told, Hulk Hogan racked up an unprecedented five WWE Championships, main-evented WrestleMania eight times, and sold millions of T-shirts, toys and anything else you could imagine bearing the red and yellow before leaving WWE in August 1993.

The Hulkster planned on putting his full-time sports-entertainment days behind him and started a career as a television star on the syndicated “Thunder in Paradise.” However, it wasn’t long until he was drawn into sports-entertainment again, this time by “Nature Boy” Ric Flair and new WCW Executive Producer Eric Bischoff. Using Turner Broadcasting’s budget, Bischoff signed Hogan to a seven-figure, part-time contract. In his debut match, Hogan, with Mr. T in his corner and Shaquille O’Neal at ringside, defeated Flair for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on the Bash at the Beach pay-per-view in Orlando, Fla.

After two years of dominating his competition, Hogan did the unthinkable when he betrayed both WCW fans and WCW heroes Sting, Lex Luger and Randy Savage by joining The Outsiders, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, to form the New World Order. The nWo was WCW’s greatest weapon in the Monday Night War pitting WCW’s Nitro against WWE’s Monday Night Raw. During his six years with WCW, Hogan won six WCW World Heavyweight Championships.

Almost one year after the demise of WCW, Hogan, Hall and Nash returned to WWE as the reviled nWo in February 2002. While his third stay in WWE lasted less than two years, Hogan was once again embraced by the WWE Universe during his match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8 and later won his sixth WWE Championship from Triple H at Backlash 2002.

In 2005, The Hulkster was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his Rocky III co-star and friend, Sylvester Stallone, and appeared at WrestleMania 21 the following night.

In 2014, The Hulkster again returned to WWE and was the host of WrestleMania 30. The historic event began with Hogan, The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, arguably the three most famous sports-entertainers of all time, together in the ring to the delight of more than 75,000 WWE fans from all 50 states and 37 countries at New Orleans’ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, with millions more watching the first WrestleMania to air live on WWE Network.

There are few names more synonymous with sports-entertainment than Hulk Hogan, as the larger-than-life icon was a central figure in WWE’s rise from a regional attraction to the worldwide entertainment leader. The Hulkster’s superhuman size and undeniable charisma helped him reach heights once unthinkable in sports and entertainment, as Hogan packed 93,173 fans into the Pontiac Silverdome for WrestleMania III, won six WWE Championships, starred in movies and set the standard for what a WWE Superstar could be.

WWE extends its condolences to Bollea’s family, friends and fans.WWE is saddened to learn that Terry Bollea, recognized globally as Legendary WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, has passed away on July 24 at 71.

Hulk Hogan continues to ignore the real reason WWE fans are booing him

Hulk Hogan's return to "WWE Raw" for its Netflix debut in January was billed as a nostalgic celebration — a hero’s welcome for one of the most iconic figures in the history of professional wrestling. However, instead of an expected roaring ovation, the crowd at Inglewood's Intuit Dome met Hogan that night with a torrent of well-deserved boos.

In an interview Monday on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show," Hogan was asked about the crowd’s reaction to his return, and he seemed to deflect any responsibility for it. Hogan speculated that the boos were due to his previous role as the villainous "Hollywood Hogan," and even attempted to tie the boos to his support for U.S. President Donald Trump.

"They're still nipping at my heels," Hogan said, referring to his critics. "I can go out there and get booed in L.A. I was Hollywood Hogan with the black beard and doing the bad guy thing. Or The Rock can get booed in L.A. or John Cena gets booed in L.A., but when I get booed, there’s a whole different reaction, media-wise."

This response is telling in its avoidance of the real issue. The boos weren’t about Hogan’s "bad guy" persona or his political leanings at all. In fact, this wasn't the first time Hogan faced public backlash. He was heavily booed when introducing Titus O’Neil at WrestleMania 37 in 2021, signaling that many fans hadn’t forgotten his past remarks.

Both reactions were about something much more serious: The fact that Hogan has failed to properly address the deeply hurtful and racist remarks he made back in 2015.

In July 2015, a leaked recording from a 2007 sex tape revealed Hogan making intensely offensive remarks. In the tape, Hogan expressed disgust over the possibility of his daughter dating a Black man and infamously admitted, "I am a racist, to a point," all while repeatedly and freely using the N-word.

Hogan spoke to ABC News about the incident later that year. “No, I’m not. I’m not a racist," he said. "I never should have said what I said. It was wrong. I’m embarrassed by it. But a lot of people need to realize that you inherit things from your environment."

Despite that explanation, the incident resulted in Hogan’s firing from WWE and his removal from the Hall of Fame.

If, for some reason, you believe his use of the N-word was an isolated incident, a simple Google search will show you that Hogan's racist remarks span long before the 2015 leaked footage. In 2011, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T spoke on an interaction where Hogan used the N-word in front of him in response to a now-infamous Harlem Heat promo where Booker T mistakenly used the term after saying he was coming for Hogan.

“I thought I was going to be totally blackballed from that. And Hulk Hogan actually came to me and told me not to feel bad about it, but said, ‘You know what? I’m a good N-word,'” Booker T said.

This interview led to Hogan in 2012 questioning on a radio spot why Booker T could use the word and he could not. “Well, Booker T used to do that to me, and every time I pull up YouTube there’s that famous thing with Booker T and his brother is there and they’re all talking trash, and Booker T says, ‘I’m coming for ya Hogan, you n*****’ — and not ‘n***a,’ he goes ‘n*****,'” Hogan said.

While Hogan was eventually reinstated by WWE in 2018 after issuing an apology to the company's talent locker room, many wrestlers publicly criticized the apology as insincere. Mark Henry, Shelton Benjamin and Kofi Kingston were among those who voiced their discontent, with Benjamin recently tweeting:

Message to Hulk Hogan: You lost me forever with your “don’t get caught” …or as you would call it “apology” speech.

Beyond racial controversy, Hogan’s reputation as a self-serving figure in the locker room further clouds his legacy. As more wrestlers from his generation speak openly over the years about their experiences, many have accused him of refusing to put younger talent over, leveraging his backstage influence to stay on top, and prioritizing his own brand over the industry he claimed to love. These actions paint the picture of a man more interested in protecting his image than in supporting the wrestling community.

This week's appearance on "The Ariel Helwani Show" was yet another missed opportunity for meaningful self-reflection and growth. Instead of addressing the pain caused by his words, Hogan focused on superficial metrics, such as boasting about the "3.2 billion impressions" his WWE return garnered. He still seems to value publicity and numbers over a sincere reckoning with the gravity of his past mistakes.

Until Hogan takes full responsibility for his past actions and offers a heartfelt, unambiguous apology to the Black community, the boos and criticism will likely continue. His failure to confront the consequences of his words speaks volumes about his character — or rather, his lack of character. The time for Hogan to be held accountable is long overdue. Redemption, after all, is not a right — it’s earned. And in Hogan’s case, he has done nothing to deserve it.

source: sprots.yahoo.com

Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff Launch Real American Freestyle Wrestling League

Earlier this week, WWE Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff reunited in an nWo style video on X, teasing the two would have a new project that involved a third man. Given Bischoff's second life in wrestling as a podcaster, most assumed the project would be related to that, perhaps involving Bischoff's co-host Conrad Thompson. But the revelation on Wednesday proved to be something no one could see coming; freestyle wrestling.

Taking to X on Wednesday morning with a new video, Hogan and Bischoff announced the formation of the Real American Freestyle Wrestling League. They also revealed their third man was Izzy Martinez, a freestyle wrestling coach known for working with several UFC fighters, including Jon Jones and Holly Holm, whom Martinez notably coached in the lead up to her upset victory over Ronda Rousey.

More details about the venture were provided to the Associated Press and Forbes, with Hogan revealing he conceived the idea while watching Oklahoma State wrestler Wyatt Henderson defeat Minnesota standout and former WWE star Gable Steveson to win the NCAA national championship in March. Hogan, Bischoff, and Martinez hope to involve both Henderson and Steveson in RAFWL, which they say will consist of eight men's classes and four women's classes. So far, only Olympic silver medalist Kennedy Blade has committed to the league, with Hogan declaring her the face of the women's division.

Martinez will serve as the COO, while Hogan will be its commissioner; it's unclear what Bischoff's role is at this time though Hogan said he would be working on the production side. The league will hold its first show on August 30, in Cleveland, Ohio, with more events scheduled to be announced at a later date.

Hulk Hogan Gets Booed During WWE’s Netflix Debut

Although WWE‘s Netflix debut was a hit, not everyone was met with a warm welcome.

During Monday Night Raw, Hulk Hogan made a surprise appearance to push his beer brand’s partnership with WWE, but his quick speech in front of an American flag largely attracted boos from the audience at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

As the camera panned across the audience, thumbs could be seen pointed down as the booing intensified throughout his product plug.

“Well you know, brother, in the wrestling business, when you’re getting ready to draw some big money, you got to shoot an angle, put some hot spice on the feud,” he said on Fox News. “And when I had Trump in the back at the Garden, I said, ‘You know something? This Robert Kennedy Jr., he’s onto something with nutrition.’ But if you tag team us up as the mega powers, you know – the MAGA-powers, RFK Jr. and Hulk Hogan – he can get them eating the right food and I can get all of our kids in shape, brother.”

In addition to a star-studded audience, this week’s Monday Night Raw also featured appearances from Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and John Cena. source: deadline.com

Sports Illustrated: 20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time

20 - Becky Lynch

19 - Mick Foley

18 - Chris Jericho

17 - CM Punk

16 - Andre the Giant

15 - Randy Orton

14 - Edge

13 - Rowdy Roddy Piper

12 - Kurt Angle

11 - Macho Man Randy Savage

10 - Bruno Sammartino

9 - Bret Hart

8 - Shawn Michaels

7 - Triple H

6 - The Undertaker

5 - Roman Reigns

4 - John Cena

3 - The Rock

2 - Hulk Hogan

1 - Stone Cold Steve Austin

Batista And The nWo To Be Inducted Into The WWE Hall Of Fame

WWE announced that Batista and nWo members “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall™, Kevin Nash™ and Sean Waltman™ will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Thursday, April 2 at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay, FL as part of WrestleMania® Week.

Batista is a six-time World Champion and a pop culture phenomenon. Throughout his illustrious career, “The Animal™” had memorable rivalries with some of the biggest names in WWE history including John Cena®, Triple H® and The Undertaker®. Batista is also a founding member of the revolutionary faction Evolution® alongside Ric Flair®, Triple H® and Randy Orton®. At WrestleMania this past April, Batista competed for the final time against Triple H. Outside the ring, Batista has successfully conquered Hollywood, appearing in Spectre, Stuber and Marvel’s blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers films.

One of the most innovative and controversial factions in sports entertainment history, the New World Order® (nWo) was led by “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman. The group captivated fans around the world and was crucial to the success of WCW® during the historic Monday Night Wars®. With an innovative style and attitude, the nWo participated in memorable rivalries against some of the biggest names in WCW history, including Sting, Diamond Dallas Page and Lex Luger.

“Batista was one of the fastest rising stars ever in WWE with an incredible list of accolades, and the success of the nWo changed the course of sports entertainment history,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative. “It is only fitting that they all take their rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame.”

Tickets for the 2020 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony are available this Friday, December 13 at 12 Noon ET through all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or at ReliaQuest Ticket Office at Amalie Arena. All tickets are subject to service charges and facility fees.

WrestleMania 36 takes place Sunday, April 5 from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, FL and will stream live on WWE Network.

Hulk Hogan Biopic Reportedly Coming To Netflix

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hulkamania will run wild on Netflix. A deal is nearly done to bring the story of Hulk Hogan to life. Thor actor Chris Hemsworth is slated to play The Hulkster. The movie is being directed by Todd Phillips and Eric Bischoff is listed as one of the film's co-producers. No release date has been given.

WWE Adds Hulk Hogan To Friday's WWE Crown Jewel Event

WWE is quietly advertising Hulk Hogan for Friday's WWE Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia.

On Wednesday, the company added Hulk Hogan to the list of scheduled Superstars set to appear on their official website and mobile app.

Hogan himself has also been telling friends and media that he will be heading to Saudi Arabia with the company, which means if he appears on Friday, it will be the first time appearing on a WWE show since 2015.

Hulk Hogan reinstated into WWE Hall of Fame

After a three-year suspension, Hulk Hogan has been reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame. This second chance follows Hogan’s numerous public apologies and volunteering to work with young people, where he is helping them learn from his mistake. These efforts led to a recent induction into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Alumni Hall of Fame.

WWE Statement On Hulk Hogan Appearing At Future WWE Events

As noted, Hulk Hogan has reportedly been in talks with WWE about returning to the company to "help others learn from his mistakes." Hogan is also appearing at today's HBO Sports' Andre the Giant documentary premiere, which WWE is a part of.

Hogan told TMZ earlier today that he might "maybe someday" return to WWE, but will not be at WrestleMania next week. WWE issued this statement, via PWInsider, saying that Hogan is not scheduled to be a part of any upcoming events.

"Hulk Hogan is an important part of Andre the Giant's history, however his appearance at tonight's HBO premiere of the documentary and his plans to help others learn from his mistakes does not mean WWE is rehiring him. Hogan is not scheduled to be at any upcoming WWE events."

Hogan hasn't appeared for WWE since being fired by the company in 2015 shortly before a tape containing him making racist remarks was made public. Hogan, who was upset with his daughter Brooke dating a black man, used the n-word several times in the tape and said, "I guess we're all a little racist."

Hulk Hogan Finally Returning To WWE?, WWE Issues Statement And Confirms Recent Talks With Hogan

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan may finally be returning to the company soon.

WWE officials are currently having talks about a Hogan return, according to PWInsider. Discussions for the return began several weeks back.

There's no word yet on what kind of role Hogan may come back for but there's speculation on an authority role for SmackDown now that Shane McMahon took an "indefinite leave of absence" from his SmackDown Commissioner duties and current blue brand General Manager Daniel Bryan has been cleared to perform as an in-ring talent once again. PWInsider also noted that Hogan could be coming back just to resume his role as a WWE Ambassador, not necessarily as an on-air performer.

WWE distanced themselves from Hogan back in 2015 due to the racist comments debacle that he was involved in. Hogan made the comments during a conversation he had with Heather Clem, the then-wife of his former best friend, Bubba the Love Sponge. Hogan was secretly filmed by Bubba and this footage would lead to Hogan suing Gawker and other involved parties. Hogan ended up winning a judgement of $115 million against Gawker and that led to a settlement of $31 million.

There have been rumors of WWE working with Hogan again since the heat died down from the scandals he was involved in but it looks like the return may actually be happening now.

WWE issued the following statement to PWInsider in response to the report and confirmed that they have had talks with The Hulkster:

"We have had discussions with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan) about how he can help others learn from his mistakes, however, he is not under any contract with WWE."

WWE Issues Brief Statement On Hulk Hogan Possibly Returning

WWE has issued a statement to The Associated Press in regards to Hulk Hogan possibly returning to the company.

Hogan has been speaking with many press publications ahead of Monday's 25th anniversary of Raw in which he has been asked if he will be returning to the company for the big celebrations. Hogan has expressed to many media outlets that he would like to return, possibly for "one more match" but WWE appears committed to their decision in not having Hogan return to the company right now: 

"At this time, WWE remains committed to its decision," WWE said in the statement.

WWE fired Hogan in 2015 following racial comments that came to light in which he used the 'n-word' and said: "I guess we're all a little racist."

Hulk Hogan Reaches Settlement With Gawker Founder, News On How Much Hogan May Have Made

It sounds as though the ongoing legal turmoil between Hulk Hogan and Gawker has finally reached an end, according to an online statement from Gawker founder Nick Denton. Here's part of what he wrote:

"After four years of litigation funded by a billionaire with a grudge going back even further, a settlement has been reached. The saga is over."

The "billionaire with a grudge" to whom he refers is Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel, who's had his share of differences with the media outlet in the past. As a reminder, a Florida Jury awarded Hogan $140.1 million dollars back in May after Thiel helped fund a defamation case against Denton. The official settlement figure has not been released, although the number $31 million kept popping up during initial court filings. In exchange for a vastly reduced payment to Hogan, Gawker must remove the original story, which doesn't sit well with Denton. He noted that the most "unpalatable" part of the settlement is being forced to remove the story from the web because it's a true story, whether it's "newsworthy" or not.

Regardless of the terms and conditions of the deal, both sides seem to be happy to be done with the situation as Hogan's lawyer, David Houston, said, "All parties have agreed it's time to move on."

Daughters Of DDP, Hulk Hogan And Others Starting A New Wrestling Promotion

Diamond Dallas Page's daughter Brittany reveals that she's starting a women's wrestling promotion to go against TNA Impact Wrestling, along with Hulk Hogan's daughter Brooke Hogan, Lacey Von Erich of the legendary Von Erich family, Roddy Piper's daughter Ariel Toombs and Bianca Brigitte VanDamme, daughter of Jean-Claude VanDamme. She also mentions Christy Hemme being involved, apparently in an authority role.

Page says they have surprises lined up and are very excited about the project and that her dad will be involved because fans want to see the first generation vs. the second generation.

Hulk Hogan's Revenge Is Complete: Gawker Set To Shut Down Next Week

Gawker announced today that it will be shutting down operations next week after nearly fourteen years in the aftermath of a $140 million court decision awarded to Hulk Hogan in his invasion-of-privacy case against them.

As noted, Gawker filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June and Gawker founder, Nick Denton, filed for personal bankruptcy protection and named Hogan as his biggest creditor. It was announced this week that Univision outbid Ziff Davis, publisher of PCMag, to purchase Gawker Media Group for $135 million, which also operates Gizmodo, Deadspin, Jezebel, Kotaku, Lifehacker and Jalopnik. Shortly after news of the sale broke this week, Hogan wrote on Twitter:

Like I said "I Slammed another Giant today Brother". HH

As noted, Peter Thiel, the billionaire co-founder of PayPal, secretly bankrolled Hogan's lawsuit against Gawker and paid approximately $10 million for the suit. Thiel, a pledged delegate for Donald Trump for the 2016 Republican National Convention, has held animosity towards Gawker ever since the website outed him as gay in 2007 in an article titled, Peter Thiel is totally gay, people.

Gawker posted the following on their website:

After nearly fourteen years of operation, Gawker.com will be shutting down next week. The decision to close Gawker comes days after Univision successfully bid $135 million for Gawker Media's six other websites, and four months after the Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel revealed his clandestine legal campaign against the company.

Nick Denton, the company's outgoing CEO, informed current staffers of the site's fate on Thursday afternoon, just hours before a bankruptcy court in Manhattan will decide whether to approve Univision's bid for Gawker Media's other assets. The near-term plans for Gawker.com's coverage, as well as the site's archives, have not yet been finalized.

Christy Hemme Compares Triple H To Hulk Hogan; Talks Working With Stephanie McMahon

Christy says HHH gives to everyone while Hulk Hogan is more about himself:

"Hulk is great for Hulk. Triple H is great for business. You know, as far as like, bringing people in, bringing people up...he was always giving to the people...Hulk is like an icon and he is legendary and he is building his own brand."

What it's really like to work with Stephanie McMahon:

"I really love her. She is so poised and so powerful and as a female...She had worked on a couple of my segments and I was always lost when she was talking to me in the moments because she is really one of those people that she's a really good producer...She's really good at connecting and pulling something out of you that she's looking for...but she's softer in like, she's a warm person. She's a strong person but she's a warm person and she's passionate about the females so she's always fighting for them"

Gawker Update: Purchase Agreement Reached, Nick Denton Comments

As noted, Gawker Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy today after a judge issued a $140 million final judgment in favor of Hulk Hogan.

Gawker issued the press release below revealing that the have reached a purchase agreement with Ziff Davis, which operates IGN, AskMen and PCMag. It stated that the sale will be conducted through a bankruptcy court supervised auction, so others could buy the company if they submit a higher bid.

More?

Judge Issues Final Judgment in Hulk Hogan vs Gawker Case, Gawker Reportedly Files For Bankruptcy

According to Recode.com, Gawker was back in court today and a judge issued a $140 million final judgment in favor of Hulk Hogan. The verdict in the Gawker case was upheld, and furthermore a permanent injunction was issued earlier this week which prohibited Gawker from posting Hogan’s sex tape video. Additionally, a 4.77% interest rate per year was imposed on the $140 million which is owed to Hogan.

As a result of the past two key decisions in the Hogan vs Gawker case, Gawker Media has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and plans to find a new owner for the company. The Recode article notes Gawker has a “firm bid” from publisher Ziff Davis to buy the company for under $100 million. Ziff Davis operates IGN, AskMen and PCMag.

Hulk Hogan Gets Another Win Over Gawker, Hogan's Billionaire Backer Speaks Out, Gawker CEO Responds

Hulk Hogan got another victory in court this week, as a judge in Florida denied a motion by Gawker for a new trial and to have the verdict dropped or reduced. According to The New York Times, Gawker argued that documents that were sealed during the trial should have been made available to the jury, which included Hulk Hogan's racist comments. They also stated that the objectivity of the jurors had been tainted, and that no other Florida defendant had ever been awarded such a large amount in similar cases.

As noted, it was revealed that Peter Thiel, the billionaire co-founder of PayPal, secretly bankrolled Hogan's lawsuit against Gawker and paid approximately $10 million for the suit. A lawyer for Gawker argued that Thiel was new discovery material, but the judge refused to look at articles regarding Thiel's involvement.

Thiel, a pledged delegate for Donald Trump for the 2016 Republican National Convention, has held animosity towards Gawker ever since the website outed him as gay in 2007 in this article titled, Peter Thiel is totally gay, people.

"It's less about revenge and more about specific deterrence," Thiel told The New York Times this week, after it was revealed that he was funding Hogan's case. "I saw Gawker pioneer a unique and incredibly damaging way of getting attention by bullying people even when there was no connection with the public interest."

Thiel added that "even someone like Terry Bollea who is a millionaire and famous and a successful person didn't quite have the resources to do this alone."

More?

Hulk Hogan Funded By Billionaire During Lawsuit Against Gawker?

The New York Times is reporting that professional wrestling legend, Hulk Hogan, had a secret financial backer for his invasion of privacy lawsuit against online media company, Gawker.

In 2012, Gawker published a sex tape of Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, without his permission. This March, the pro wrestling heavyweight was awarded a jury verdict of $140 million as a result.

According to The New York Times, Peter Thiel, the billionaire co-founder of PayPal, secretly bankrolled Hogan's lawsuit against Gawker, as Thiel was outed as gay by Gawker in 2007 and has had a contentious relationship with the company ever since.

This news comes only days after Nick Denton, Gawker's founder, speculated that Hogan had to have been receiving funds from a third party to finance the lawsuit. The identity of the person who revealed Thiel's involvement in the case remains unknown at this time.