Hulk Hogan Faces Mixed Reception at WWE's "Monday Night Raw" Debut on Netflix

WWE legend Hulk Hogan, one of the most iconic figures in the history of professional wrestling, made an unexpected appearance on January 6 during Netflix's broadcast of "Monday Night Raw." Despite his undeniable status, the response he received was far from what fans might have anticipated.

Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, entered the arena to the familiar chords of his signature walk-out anthem, “Real American,” signaling his presence. Accompanied by his longtime collaborator, Jimmy Hart, Hogan was met with a chorus of boos from the live audience, a stark contrast to the reception he once enjoyed as the face of the WWE during its golden years in the '80s. The boos came as Hogan briefly pitched his brand of Real American Beer while celebrating WWE's partnership with Netflix.

In his brief speech, Hogan highlighted the importance of partnerships throughout his career, from legends like the Macho Man Randy Savage to giants like Andre the Giant. However, he reserved special praise for WWE's collaboration with Netflix, calling it “the greatest tag team partner of all time.” Despite this, the negative crowd reaction was hard to ignore. One fan shared a video of the moment on social media, writing, “Watching Hulk Hogan get annihilated with boos while trying to sell his ripoff Bud Light beer was effing IN-CREDIBLE. And I grew up a Hulkamaniac.”

Hogan’s controversial image has been a significant factor in the WWE fanbase's cooler reception toward him. In 2007, a tape surfaced of Hogan using a racial slur, leading to his removal from the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015. Although he was reinstated in 2018, his public support for controversial figures, including President Donald Trump, has further alienated a portion of the WWE community.

While Hogan’s moment was marked by negative fan reactions, other WWE legends fared much better during the show. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson kicked off the event with his own appearance, later joining Roman Reigns in a powerful segment after Reigns’ victory over Solo Sikoa. Meanwhile, John Cena began his 2025 retirement tour by announcing his participation in the upcoming Royal Rumble, and the Undertaker made a surprise appearance to congratulate Rhea Ripley on her title defense against Liv Morgan. All three were met with loud applause and positive fan reactions.

In terms of the night’s in-ring action, "Monday Night Raw" didn’t disappoint. Jey Uso defeated Drew McIntyre, and CM Punk secured a hard-fought victory over Seth Rollins in a brutal main event that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Hogan’s mixed reception at the event is a reminder of how the world of WWE has evolved, and how its fans' attitudes toward its legends can shift over time. While his presence undoubtedly stirred memories of the past, it also highlighted the complex relationship between Hogan, WWE, and its dedicated followers.