Hulk Hogan may soon return to WWE after his 2015 exit from World Wrestling Entertainment.
Hogan and the WWE’s upper ranks have been discussing the idea “and it's been positive,” TMZ Sports reported Friday.
Hogan and WWE severed ties in 2015 following the release of a profane and racist rant in which Hogan used the N-word multiple times. After that, the WWE immediately terminated its contract with the wrestler and deleted any reference to him from its website.
The organization followed up with a statement saying it was “committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide.”
Hogan apologized then, but most recently referred to the rant in a speech directed to the Boys and Girls Club of Georgia, where he appeared to be genuinely contrite.
The WWE took note, too.
“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,” WWE said, TMZ reported.
The organization added a cautionary note, however: “While he has taken many steps in the right direction since we parted ways, Hogan is not currently under contract to WWE.”
Hogan’s fans have remained loyal, and want to see his return into the ring.