After the legal battle between Hulk Hogan and leading tabloid Gawker that left Hogan “emotionally distressed”, the Hulk can finally breathe easy.
On Thursday, the former WWE wrestler was awarded $115 million by a Florida jury over Gawker’s 2012 posting of his sex tape, several reports stated.
Variety confirmed that Hogan suffered “severe emotional distress” in the last three years since the sex tape surfaced. Hogan had also claimed that the tape, showing him having sex with his best friend’s then-wife, was secretly recorded.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Gawker Media indicated in a statement that it was already contemplating an appeal. “We’re disappointed the jury was unable to see key evidence and hear testimony from the most important witness. So it may be necessary for the appeals court to resolve this case. Hulk Hogan’s best friend Bubba the Love Sponge — who made the tape and offered up his wife in the first place — originally told his radio listeners that Hulk Hogan knew he was being taped. The jury was only able to hear a questionable version of events. Bubba should have been required to appear in court and explain what really happened.”
