Cup of coffee in the big time: Begging for WWE to leave Hulk Hogan in the past

The idea of a new Hulk Hogan WWE contract has been stuck in the back of my mind since talk kicked up a few days ago.

I’ve touched on it before, but I have no problem with quietly sliding Hogan back into the WWE Hall of Fame. For any wrestling HoF, legitimate or otherwise, Hulk Hogan deserves entry for his actual accomplishments in the game.

Hogan’s place as one of the absolute biggest stars to ever step into the squared circle and the central figure in booming the then-WWF to pop culture relevance is beyond dispute.

Also beyond dispute: his shameful fall from grace and the destruction of his public persona.

While using racist language and flatly claiming to be a racist, Hogan lost the charm he had left as Wrestling’s Orangest Grandpa. Instead he was just another ruined hero littering America’s pop culture highway.

That there’s little value in embracing Hogan is seemingly of little concern to WWE if they’re interested in a “Legend’s contract” or using him in any on-screen role.

There was the awkward handling of his “hosting” duties at Crown Jewel, something the promotion refused to promote until forced to and something they shut up about directly afterward.

It’s almost as though WWE executives felt shame.

But then, there he was again, representing WWE at the March of Dimes 35th Annual Sports Luncheon.

WWE is digging in their heels as stubbornly as ever on issues like their relationship with Hogan and the Saudi Arabia deal despite these situations putting them at odds with their own charitable and positive PR positioning.

Begging WWE to let Hogan lie in the past is likely yelling into the void, but it still feels necessary.

• Get your NXT recap and reactions right here.
• And why not check out a preview for tonight’s edition of Impact Wrestling?
• Punishment Martinez dropped his first NXT bout, but did get to snap a picture with Triple H.
• Britwres has a problem. Or maybe it doesn’t. They don’t seem to know.
• Becky Lynch is so very, very over.
• SmackDown was good, its ratings were not.
• Daniel Bryan remains so good at being a heel.

The week is almost over, fight through it.