Dennis Rodman says "there isn't a racist bone" in Hulk Hogan's body

Rodman called on a number of other high profile athletes to support the wrestler on Twitter, writing: "I've known @HulkHogan for 25 years. Here he is hanging with Kylin in NJ. There isn't a racist bone in that mans body.

"Lets lend our support to the Hulkster @HulkHogan who most certainly is not a racist @Scottiepippen @MagicJohnson @Shaq @MikeTyson (sic)"

Wrestler Virgil, who competed with Hogan in WWE and was also in the nWo in WCW with him, has also defended his mentor.

He is quoted by TMZ.com as saying: "You can only judge a person based on past experience. Hulk Hogan has never given me a reason to believe he is a racist."

Actor-and-comedian Marlon Wayans urged his fans to "pray" for The Hulkster and "his enlightenment".

Alongside a photograph of him kissing the iconic wrestler's cheek, he wrote: "Hulk Hogan racist??? he damn sure wasn't this day ... Ha! You can't erase racism without love. This picture is so much funnier and powerful amidst the recent scandal. I have no hate for the 'Hulkster'... He was cool to me and cool to his fans. It was a great night at a charity event for bullying 1 year ago, a great cause. Pray for him, pray for his heart, his family and his enlightenment. We're never too old to change so let's keep an open heart. People aren't perfect. I thank him for the entertainment he gave us all as children. (sic)"

Today, WWE removed all mentions of Hulk Hogan from its website, pulled him from series 'Tough Enough' and stopped selling his merchandise and issued a statement claiming they had "terminated" his contract.