Hulk Hogan – Gawker Trial Verdict

The WWE Hall of Famer and former WWE and WCW Champion won the outstanding sum as a Florida jury sided with him in his suit against the media company, which released a trailer of a sex tape recorded without his knowledge. Hogan was awarded $55 million for economic injuries, and another $60 million for emotional distress. He could receive more money with punitive damages.

The video, recorded by controversial longtime friend Bubba The Love Sponge, was allegedly stolen from him by “Spice Boy” Matt Lloyd, who was an employee of Bubba’s show for years. Hogan first gained knowledge of the tape in 2012 during the build for TNA Bound For Glory.

Hogan was fired from WWE and his role as a judge on WWE Tough Enough last summer after racially charged comments in relation to the case came to light. Gawker alleged that Hogan only filed a lawsuit against them to prevent the racial statements from being released.

The trial was an interesting one, with Hogan calling TNA a “small company,” Linda Hogan firing back at Hulk for statments made in testimony, and a Gawker editor saying that the limit for celebrity sex tapes being ‘newsworthy’ was four-year olds.

Hogan was seeking $100 million.