During what would have otherwise been a run-of-the-mill call in to hype WWE's Survivor Series pay-per-view (PPV) this weekend and help a good cause, Paul "Triple H" Levesque gave us the first sign of a thaw in his company's cool stance toward Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan.
The Executive Vice-President of WWE was a guest on Portsmouth, New Hampshire's WHEB Morning Buzz show this week as part of their charity auction campaign to help the area organizations that help feed the hungry and homeless. Host Greg Kretschmar asked Trips if he thinks Hogan, fired and basically disavowed by the company since tape of him using racial slurs leaked to the public earlier this year, will return to WWE at some point.
And his answer is a subtle change of tone from what we've heard to date on the subject:
It's an answer that is careful not to commit to anything, but also that can be read as "we had to cut ties when the bombshell hit, but as long as more don't fall and he keeps apologizing, he'll be back". Because this isn't just anybody saying he hopes the Hulkster ends up back with WWE. This is Vince McMahon's son-in-law, a probably heir to the throne, and someone who has brokered returns for past estranged superstars like Bruno Sammartino and Ultimate Warrior.
The question is...does Hogan's explaining away the use of offensive language on his upbringing and your divorce, or aligning yourself with gambling websites and selling expensive tickets to one-man shows constitute doing "what he needs to do to get himself back"?
We'll find out. But Hulk has to be more encouraged by this quote than Vince telling investors that WWE doesn't need him.
Triple H opens the door (a crack) for a Hulk Hogan return to WWE
The Executive Vice-President of WWE was a guest on Portsmouth, New Hampshire's WHEB Morning Buzz show this week as part of their charity auction campaign to help the area organizations that help feed the hungry and homeless. Host Greg Kretschmar asked Trips if he thinks Hogan, fired and basically disavowed by the company since tape of him using racial slurs leaked to the public earlier this year, will return to WWE at some point.
And his answer is a subtle change of tone from what we've heard to date on the subject:
It's an answer that is careful not to commit to anything, but also that can be read as "we had to cut ties when the bombshell hit, but as long as more don't fall and he keeps apologizing, he'll be back". Because this isn't just anybody saying he hopes the Hulkster ends up back with WWE. This is Vince McMahon's son-in-law, a probably heir to the throne, and someone who has brokered returns for past estranged superstars like Bruno Sammartino and Ultimate Warrior.
The question is...does Hogan's explaining away the use of offensive language on his upbringing and your divorce, or aligning yourself with gambling websites and selling expensive tickets to one-man shows constitute doing "what he needs to do to get himself back"?
We'll find out. But Hulk has to be more encouraged by this quote than Vince telling investors that WWE doesn't need him.
Triple H opens the door (a crack) for a Hulk Hogan return to WWE
