WWE Rumour Mill: Reason why Hulk Hogan was backstage at Extreme Rules

What's the story?

WWE took everyone by surprise hours before the Extreme Rules PPV when they announced that they would re-induct Hulk Hogan into the prestigious WWE Hall of Fame.

It got some backlash from fans who weren't happy about WWE reinstating him into the Hall of Fame after racist comments that he made a few years ago resulted in him being suspended by the WWE.

Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer has now revealed the reason why Hogan was backstage during the Extreme Rules PPV. Hogan was reportedly filming a WWE Network special and met with the WWE Superstars

The Hogan meeting with talent backstage was filmed for an upcoming WWE Network special. #ExtremeRules

— Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) July 15, 2018

Hogan tweeted his joy at being back "home" and said that he met the WWE Superstars backstage.

Just met with the @WWE Superstars and on all levels the volume of love and support was overwhelming. I’ve been praying for this day and I finally feel like I made it back home. Only Love 4 the #WWEUNIVERSE brother HH

— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) July 15, 2018

In case you didn't know...

In 2015, Hogan's WWE contract was terminated after he made racist comments in a rant which went viral. Hogan's name was removed from the Hall of Fame, his merchandise sales were stopped, and his name was removed from the WWE's website too.

Several black WWE Superstars expressed displeasure and shock at Hogan's comments, including Booker T, Mark Henry and Titus O'Neil.

The heart of the matter

WWE announced that after Hogan's three-year suspension, he would be "reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame".

BREAKING: After a three-year suspension, @HulkHogan has been reinstated into the @WWE Hall of Fame. https://t.co/SxwUms9Yet

— WWE (@WWE) July 15, 2018

Alvarez also said that Hogan was in the building during Extreme Rules, but he did not make it out to the ring or was part of any backstage interview.

I don't know if anything is going to happen, but Hogan is still in the building. #ExtremeRules

— Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) July 16, 2018

Many news sources had reported that a deal was in the works, but it seems that Hogan was in the building just for the Network special, as confirmed by WWE themselves.

WWE told CBS Sports they don't have a deal for Hogan, which explains why they A) didn't return my request for comment B) Had Jimmy Hart come in with him and C) He talked to all the talent backstage for ten minutes about being happy to be back with them :) https://t.co/GILIPZeCQ4

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) July 15, 2018

What's next?

It seems unlikely that Hogan will be back in the ring or in WWE TV for a while now as people still seem to be angry at the comments he made.

Do you want to see Hulk Hogan return to the company again? Sound off below.