WWE puts Hulk Hogan back in its Hall of Fame

Following reports of Hulk Hogan flying into Cleveland and speculation that he could be returning to WWE making the rounds late last night and again this morning, WWE released the following today:

STAMFORD, Conn. — 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.

Hogan was originally taken out of the WWE Hall of Fame when a recording of him using racial slurs was released. He was quickly fired by WWE, and the company distanced itself from one of the biggest stars in its history.

Of late, however, reports have made the rounds that the company was looking at bringing him back after he’s done things like addressing his mistakes during a speech for his induction at The Boys and Girls Club of America Hall of Fame, and continually making public apologies.

Putting him back into the Hall of Fame represents the next step in the process of Hogan making his return to WWE television.