World Wrestling Entertainment's decision to hold it's Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia, despite pressure to cancel after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, got more controversial on Friday when it brought out controversial wrestler Hulk Hogan to host.
Well let me tell you something, BROTHER.... @HulkHogan is in the house, and he's hosting #WWECrownJewel!
Khashoggi, who lived in the US and was a columnist for the Washington Post, was killed inside a Saudi consulate in Turkey on Oct. 2, allegedly on orders from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, prompting calls to cancel the WWE event.
As for Hogan, he was initially fired by WWE in 2015 after transcripts from the sex tape he sued Gawker over were leaked and contained him using racist language.
Needless to say, bringing Hogan back has only isolated even more fans who felt uncomfortable with the Riyadh-based event on Friday to begin with.
ah just Hulk Hogan making his first WWE appearance since his racist tape was released at WWE’s controversial Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia. let’s just get all this shit over with at once, i guess right?
Reminder of what Hulk Hogan said. This guy shouldn't be allowed back into modern society. #WWECrownJewel
wwe network cancelled. #WWECrownJewel
People especially took note of the hypocrisy of Hogan's theme "Real American" playing in wake of Khashoggi's death.
WWE brings out Hulk Hogan for the first time since his racist rant came out to host the show in Saudi Arabia after the murder of a journalist where the the crowd cheers the theme song blaring “I AM A REAL AMERICAN FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF EVERY MAN” What the fuck is happening
The irony of Hulk Hogan’s Real American theme blaring to open WWE #CrownJewel in Saudi Arabia is... somewhere between hilarious and appalling.
And some suggesting that the disgraced wrestler was the only one who would take on the controversial hosting job.
Hulk Hogan: "I'm so pleased to be back in front of the WWE Universe brother!" #WWECrownJewel
Upon his return, Hogan thanked fans both at the event and on Twitter.
It’s great to be back with my @WWE Universe family. The love and welcome from the talent and stark raving Hulkamaniacs totally blew me away brother. Only Love HH
But neither him nor WWE have responded to the outrage over his return to an already controversial production.
BuzzFeed News has reached out to representatives for the WWE and Hogan for comment.