Hulk Hogan ‘disappointed’ but ‘excited’ after he was brutally booed off the stage during WWE’s Netflix debut
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan was left ‘instantly disappointed’ after being booed off stage during WWE’s historic Netflix debut at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, according to reports.
The 71-year-old icon made a surprise appearance on Monday Night Raw as part of the company’s new £5 billion deal with Netflix.
Despite attempting to win over the crowd by telling them they were his best tag team partner, Hogan was met with a hostile reception from the California audience.
A source has now told the Daily Mail that Hogan had expected a warm welcome from the crowd.
“Did Hulk think he was going to be cheered? Especially bringing out Jimmy Hart, who everyone likes, and who was also waving an American flag at the time… that is a resounding yes!” the source said.
The insider then explained that Hogan was stunned when fans turned against him during his promotional appearance.
“When he came out, got booed, and then went to the back after his promo, he was instantly disappointed that the fans turned on him. But he wasn’t p***ed!”
The crowd booing Hulk Hogan pic.twitter.com/8smB24ZaIU
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2025
However, the wrestling icon’s disappointment quickly turned to optimism as he recognised the business potential of the moment.
“This has actually been a great promotion for his beer and as quickly as he was disappointed, he thought about it a little more and is actually excited by how it turned out,” the source revealed.
The insider added that Hogan’s business acumen helped him see the silver lining: “Hulk is a businessman, and he is going to take advantage of the fans’ reaction all the way to the bank.”
READ MORE: Luke Littler receives special invite just days after outstanding World Darts Championship win
Hogan’s strained relationship with WWE fans stems from a controversial incident in 2015, when he was removed from the WWE Hall of Fame.
The removal came after a tape surfaced of him making racist remarks, including repeated use of racial slurs whilst discussing his daughter’s love life.
He was later reinstated to the Hall of Fame after mending relationships with WWE executives.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Andy Murray branded an ’embarrassment’ as he gives first coaching lesson to Novak Djokovic
- Liverpool respond to Elon Musk bid after US billionaire father’s admission over potential purchase
- Tyson Fury receives green light for blockbuster boxing rematch just weeks after Oleksandr Usyk defeat
The incident marked a significant turning point in Hogan’s relationship with the wrestling community, which has remained complex ever since.
WWE officials are now considering turning Hogan into a villain for future storylines, following the crowd’s reaction.
“There has already been discussion that the next time they put Hogan on TV is to make him a heel or a bad guy,” the source revealed.
The strategy mirrors WWE’s recent success with The Rock’s character transformation.
Whilst Hogan can no longer wrestle due to his physical condition, he is expected to appear as a manager for other WWE Superstars.
The source confirmed that any future storylines will avoid political content, despite Hogan’s support for Donald Trump.