(Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
Returning WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan took to Twitter shortly after opening today’s Saudi Arabian Crown Jewel pay-per-view.
Hogan, who is serving as the show’s official host, tweeted the following:
After opening the show to an ovation from the Saudi Arabian audience in attendance, an obviously ecstatic Hogan said, “The Power of Hulkamania & the power of my Hulkamaniacs are stronger than ever right here at the Crown Jewel. It’s great to see you guys. It’s awesome to be back here in the WWE. It’s unbelievable to be your host tonight.”
Hogan’s long anticipated WWE return is his first official WWE appearance since being released by the company in 2015, after making racist remarks while being unknowingly recorded for a sex tape. After being fired and removed from the WWE Hall of Fame, tensions between Hogan and the company reportedly began to thaw and Hogan was reinstated to the Hall of Fame in July. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter ,
“The Hogan return gets him back at a time when his return will end up having less controversy than ever before, which also has to do with it being announced two days ahead of time….Hogan was always coming back, it was just a matter of time before they felt the backlash would be minimal.”
RELATED: WWE Crown Jewel Results – LIVE IN PROGRESS
Hulk Hogan Gawker
Hulk Hogan Gawker #1
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 08: NY POST OUT Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, testifies in court during his trial against Gawker Media at the Pinellas County Courthouse on March 8, 2016 in St Petersburg, Florida. Bollea is taking legal action against Gawker in a USD 100 million lawsuit for releasing a video of him having sex with his best friends wife. (Photo by John Pendygraft-Pool/Getty Images)
Hulk Hogan Gawker #2
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 08: NY POST OUT Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, takes the oath in court during his trial against Gawker Media at the Pinellas County Courthouse on March 8, 2016 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Bollea is taking legal action against Gawker in a USD 100 million lawsuit for releasing a video of him having sex with his best friend's wife. (Photo by John Pendygraft-Pool/Getty Images)
Hulk Hogan Gawker #3
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 08: NY POST OUT Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, arrives in court for day two of his case against the website Gawker at the Pinellas County Courthouse Tuesday morning Mach 8, 2016 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Bollea is suing Gawker for $100 million for publishing a video of him having sex with his best friend's wife. (Photo by John Pendygraft-Pool/Getty Images)
Hulk Hogan Gawker #4
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 08: NY POST OUT Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, testifies in court during his trial against Gawker Media at the Pinellas County Courthouse on March 8, 2016 in St Petersburg, Florida. Bollea is taking legal action against Gawker in a USD 100 million lawsuit for releasing a video of him having sex with his best friends wife. (Photo by John Pendygraft-Pool/Getty Images)
Hulk Hogan Gawker #5
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 08: NY POST OUT Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, testifies in court during his trial against Gawker Media at the Pinellas County Courthouse on March 8, 2016 in St Petersburg, Florida. Bollea is taking legal action against Gawker in a USD 100 million lawsuit for releasing a video of him having sex with his best friends wife. (Photo by John Pendygraft-Pool/Getty Images)
Hulk Hogan Gawker #6
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 08: NY POST OUT Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, testifies in court during his trial against Gawker Media at the Pinellas County Courthouse on March 8, 2016 in St Petersburg, Florida. Bollea is taking legal action against Gawker in a USD 100 million lawsuit for releasing a video of him having sex with his best friends wife. (Photo by John Pendygraft-Pool/Getty Images)
Hulk Hogan Gawker #7
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 08: NY POST OUT Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, testifies in court during his trial against Gawker Media at the Pinellas County Courthouse on March 8, 2016 in St Petersburg, Florida. Bollea is taking legal action against Gawker in a USD 100 million lawsuit for releasing a video of him having sex with his best friends wife. (Photo by John Pendygraft-Pool/Getty Images)
Hulk Hogan Gawker #8
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 07: Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, listens while testifying in his case against the website Gawker at the Pinellas County Courthouse March 7, 2016 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Bollea is taking legal action against Gawker in a USD 100 million lawsuit for releasing a video of him having sex with his best friends wife. (Photo by Boyzell Hosey-Pool/Getty Images)
Hulk Hogan Gawker #9
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 07: Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, listens while testifying in his case against the website Gawker at the Pinellas County Courthouse March 7, 2016 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Bollea is taking legal action against Gawker in a USD 100 million lawsuit for releasing a video of him having sex with his best friends wife. (Photo by Boyzell Hosey-Pool/Getty Images)
Hulk Hogan Gawker #10
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 07: Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, testifies in his case against the website Gawker at the Pinellas County Courthouse March 7, 2016 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Bollea is taking legal action against Gawker in a USD 100 million lawsuit for releasing a video of him having sex with his best friends wife. (Photo by Boyzell Hosey-Pool/Getty Images)
Hulk Hogan Gawker #11
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 07: Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, listens while testifying in his case against the website Gawker at the Pinellas County Courthouse March 7, 2016 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Bollea is taking legal action against Gawker in a USD 100 million lawsuit for releasing a video of him having sex with his best friends wife. (Photo by Boyzell Hosey-Pool/Getty Images)
Hulk Hogan Gawker #12
ST PETERSBURG, FL - MARCH 07: Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, testifies in his case against the website Gawker at the Pinellas County Courthouse March 7, 2016 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Bollea is taking legal action against Gawker in a USD 100 million lawsuit for releasing a video of him having sex with his best friends wife. (Photo by Boyzell Hosey-Pool/Getty Images)