HULK HOGAN made a shock return to a WWE ring at the controversial Pay-Per-View event Crown Jewel yesterday in Saudi Arabia.
Hogan was let go three years ago after a leaked tape showed him making racist remarks and was then removed from the WWE Hall of Fame.
However, Vince McMahon’s promotion reinstated him recently after The Hulkster repeatedly apologised for the incident.
The 12-time world champion received a warm reception by the crowd in the King Saud University Stadium when he was announced as the show’s special host and was accompanied by some stunning fireworks as he struck his signature poses.
The ex-WWE Champion was visibly moved as he picked up a microphone and saluted his Hulkamaniacs.
After the show, the 65-year-old wrestling legend took to Twitter and expressed his gratitude to be back in WWE.
He tweeted: “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.”
This came following his statement in the ring where he used his usual catch phrases and claimed Hulkamania is stronger than ever.
Hogan never mentioned the events that led him out of the company three years ago during his return promo.
He said: “Let me tell you something brother.
“You know something maniacs? It feels so good to be out here in front of the whole WWE Universe and to be out here with all my Hulkamaniacs brother.
“But you know what even feels better is that after I climbed on that huge jumbo 747 jet, flew half across the world and landed here, I found out that the power of Hulkamania and the power of my Hulkamaniacs was stronger than ever right here at the Crown Jewel jack.
“It’s great to see you guys, it’s awesome to be here back in the WWE.
“It’s unbelievable to be your host tonight, and guess what Maniacs…
“The show starts right now.
“So whatcha gonna do when the power of Hulkamania and the Crown Jewel run wild on you brother?”
WWE Crown Jewel attracted plenty of controversy as its host nation Saudi Arabia sparked global outcry over the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in its consulate in Istanbul.
Khashoggi was a US resident who went into self-imposed exile and had been an outspoken critic of crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.
WWE megastars John Cena and Daniel Bryan pulled out of the event for unspecified reasons but rumours suggest they refused to be part of the controversial show.
WWE Crown Jewel kicked off with the return of Hulk Hogan who was named as the show’s guest host.
Hogan hadn’t been seen in a WWE ring since his dismissal in 2015 when a leaked tape showed him making racist remarks.
Rey Mysterio, The Miz, Dolph Ziggler and Seth Rollins made it to the World Cup semi-finals after eliminating Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle and Bobby Lashley respectively.
The Bar successfully defended the Smackdown Tag Team Championships against The New Day with the help of Big Show once more.
