Hulk Hogan is back in WWE‘s ring.
The 60-year-old wrestler will host “WrestleMania 30,” on April 6, from New Orleans’ Mercedes-Benz Superdome. But he’ll be on the air before that, appearing on USA Network’s “Monday Night Raw” on Feb. 24, and on the WWE Network’s “WWE Raw Backstage Pass,” later that night.
One of WWE’s biggest stars during the 1980s, with a legion of loyal “Hulkamaniacs following his every move,” Hogan first joined the company in 1984, and left in December 2007 after the 15th anniversary of “Raw.”
“Words cannot express how excited I am to be back in the WWE family,” said Hogan, who went on to win six WWE championships and starred in movies like “No Holds Barred,” after defeating the Iron Sheik and defending the title against Andre the Giant at “WrestleMania III” at the Pontiac Silverdome. “I only have one question for the WWE Universe: whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild as the host of WrestleMania 30?”
Hogan’s been working for WCW and rival wrestling org TNA since then, as well as starred in the reality show “Hogan Knows Best,” but WWE has long been trying to figure out a way to bring Hogan back. His return was rumored late last year, but couldn’t happen until he completed his contact with TNA. Hogan follows recent comebacks by longtime WWE stars Dwayne Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar and Dave Bautista.
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“We are thrilled that Hulk Hogan has returned home to WWE,” said WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. “It’s fitting to have him help us celebrate 30 years of ‘WrestleMania’ and usher in a new era with the launch of WWE Network.”
Hogan was inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame in 2005 by Sylvester Stallone.
