Why Hulk Hogan Was Booed On Raw & What His Role With WWE Is
Hulk Hogan ranks among the most iconic names and faces to ever reign supreme under the WWE banner. He was WWE's first megastar from the Vince McMahon Jr. era after he bought the company from his father, and years after retiring, his name is still considered synonymous with professional wrestling. Even the most casual of fans - including those who don't watch wrestling - know who Hulk Hogan is.
Hulk Hogan was once the most beloved wrestler of the '80s, but in 2025's Netflix premiere of Monday Night Raw, the WWE Universe reacted with venom to the Real American's brief appearance in Los Angeles. The walk-on was part of WWE's call on some of their biggest brands - with The Rock and The Undertaker both also given cameos - but also a much-derided marketing choice in line with Hogan's sponsorship deal with Raw to promote his Real American Beer brand.
Hogan's role in WWE is somewhat like a Legends Contract: he signed a 5-year deal in 2024 that, by his own suggestion (per an appearance on Logan Paul's podcast) includes wider duties than stepping out to flash his pythons to sell some beer.
“I signed a five-year deal for the licensing and merchandising stuff, and ambassador stuff, if they need me to do something for WrestleMania. I just love doing it. It’s definitely different.”
The Real American Beer deal is presumably separate, and sees the beer's logo added to the Raw ring-mat near the corners. Hogan's appearance alongside a flag-waving Jimmy Hart was an odd choice, given the LA venue, but the reception felt more pronounced, more venomous. In short, the fans who once unapologetically adored the Hulkster decided to boo him out of the building, and somewhat naturally, discussion has turned online to why it happened.
Hulk Hogan Was Welcomed by Deafening Boos at RAW's Netflix Premiere
One Of Hulkamania's Darkest Modern Days
He may have once been adored, but Hogan is no longer the figure he once was. Theories around Hogan's politics are inevitable, given Hogan's prominent appearances on Donald Trump's campaign trail, but that is too simplistic given The Undertaker's public political affiliation and the disparity in the reactions to the pair. Obviously, there are differences, and Hogan became something of a mascot for Trump, but this isn't the place to throw out simplifications. Instead, Hogan's situation is more complex, as fans and commentators on the Raw reaction have already eloquently unpicked:
Whether his politics and his gimmick played a part in Hogan's Raw reception, is a matter for debate, and it's fair to say both are contributing factors. So too are Hogan's own controversial comments from the infamous 2007 sex tape scandal that led to Hogan's Gawker lawsuit that ultimately ended with a $31 million settlement to Hogan in 2013, who sued based on invasion of privacy.
The tape would continue to be a point of contention in Hulk Hogan's life: in 2016, Hogan sued Gawker Media again, accusing the company of leaking sealed documents that included him using racial slurs that were published in the National Enquirer and had dramatic consequences for Hogan's employment status. Despite winning his case against Gawker, Hogan's reputation was shattered, particularly with minority WWE fans, and the sentiment remains strong.
WWE Fans Will Not Forget Hogan's History of Controversies
The Aftermath of the Scandal, Plus Additional Controversies
After Hulk Hogan's racially charged comments - including a recorded confession saying "I'm a racist..." (per The Guardian) were widely published within the media, WWE responded by immediately terminating his contract in 2015 and announcing he would be subsequently removed from the Hall of Fame. Hogan has subsequently profusely apologized since the tape came to light, most notably in an August 31 interview with NBC, blaming his views and rhetoric on his upbringing in Tampa, Florida.
He has also been adamant about working toward changing and becoming a better person, leading to a reinstatement with WWE in 2018. Despite Hogan's pleas, the fans were not as quick to forgive. While the racism controversy is obviously the biggest stain to Hogan's legacy, it isn't his only one that gives fans reason to boo him. Stories of Hogan preventing Jesse Ventura's unionization attempt, as well as backstage politics, continues to turn off many fans.
Is Hogan's Legendary Status Ruined Forever?
The Hard Road to Recovery
The majority of wrestling fans are willing to accept Hulk Hogan's importance in WWE's past is cannot be disputed nor denied, but his behavior behind closed doors even a decade later is too damning for them to want to see him in present or future programming, as evident from their vocal disapproval.
There is an old saying that time heals all wounds, but somehow, it seems as though public perception of Hulk Hogan is only worsening with time. Hogan ended up hosting WrestleMania 37 in 2021 alongside fellow Hall of Famer Titus O'Neil, just three years after his reinstatement in WWE. The reaction was mixed then, though it would've been safe to assume that the wound was just too fresh for fans to forgive. This time, in 2025, the reaction to Hogan's return was even more overwhelmingly negative. This may signal damage beyond repair, and it's interesting that Pat McAfee, who commentated alongside Michael Cole on Raw, went so hard on lampooning Hogan on his first show after the event:
There is no respect for Legend status there, and that feels like a big takeaway here. Perhaps the most lasting memory of the segment is Hogan's attempt to dodge the heat, before seguing immediately into his brand message:
“You, the fans, have been my greatest tag team partner because you guys have stuck with me through thick and thin dudes. You know, I got a new tag-team partner right now. I got Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer that I’ve teamed up [with]. And in the past, I’ve had a whole bunch of partners down the line. I’ve had incredible partners like ‘ooh ya’ the Macho Man Randy Savage. I’ve had giant-size partners, like Andre the Giant. But the greatest partner the WWE has ever had, is the fact that tonight, we’re making history, and the WWE has tag-teamed up with Netflix, the greatest tag-team partner of all time.”
Certainly, Hogan's impact in WWE cannot be taken away as it's hard to even mention WWE's history - or wrestling history, for that matter - without name-dropping him liberally. That being said, the WWE Universe may be in a place where two things can be true at once. The majority of wrestling fans are willing to accept that Hulk Hogan's importance in WWE's past cannot be disputed nor denied, but also that he shouldn't necessarily be present in future programming, as evident from their vocal disapproval.
- Founded
- January 7, 1953
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is a global entertainment company primarily known for professional wrestling. Founded in 1953, it produces live events, television programs, and streaming content. Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, WWE operates multiple brands, including Raw, SmackDown, and NXT.
