Red, White, and Booo! Hulk Hogan Ruthlessly Booed During WWE’s ‘Raw’ Netflix Debut

By Josh Sorokach Twitter @joshsorokach
Published Jan. 7, 2025, 11:37 a.m. ET

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In the wild world of professional wrestling, there’s “heat” and then there’s “go away heat.” Silver-tongued “Wiseman” Paul Heyman has often portrayed a villain during his WWE tenure, a nominal heel who fans would boo accordingly — but the negative reaction was more out of respect as opposed to any legitimate animosity. The same can’t be said for the reception Hulk Hogan received from the WWE Universe during Monday Night Raw’s high-profile Netflix debut.

The first episode of Raw on Netflix was a rousing success. Not only is it currently number one on Netflix’s Top 10 list, but the premiere also featured well-received appearances from The Rock, John Cena, and The Undertaker and premium-live-event-worthy matches. It was a great night for everyone involved.

Well, almost everyone involved.

The returns of The Rock, John Cena, and The Undertaker were met with thunderous crowd reactions, while WWE legend Hulk Hogan was ruthlessly booed by the fans at the Intuit Dome during his surprise appearance. And this wasn’t nWo Hogan, oh no. It was “Real American” Hogan.

“Well, let me tell you something, brother,” Hulk said through the cacophony of boos. “I’ve had all kinds of tag team partners over the years, but you the fans have been my greatest tag team partner because you guys have stuck with me through thick and thin, dudes.”

Hogan then promoted his new beer and Raw’s Netflix debut before ripping off his shirt to reveal a new “Netflix Gets Raw” t-shirt.

Why exactly did the fans greet Hogan with a chorus of boos? Maybe it was a belated response to Hulk’s temper tantrum that cost Sid Justice the 1992 Royal Rumble? Or perhaps it stems from Hogan using a racial slur during a 2007 video that emerged in 2015? Or his recent support of President-elect Donald Trump? Or the fact that he was trying to plug his Real American Beer during Raw?

Wrestling fans are notoriously fickle, but the California crowd was decidedly out on the Hulkster, brother.