Hulk Hogan received a negative crowd response during WWE RAW’s Netflix debut at the Inuit Dome. Hogan appeared alongside Jimmy Hart, who carried an American flag, and faced loud disapproval throughout his promo segment.

Booker T addressed the situation on his Hall of Fame podcast:

Getting old sucks, man. You lose your focus when you’re getting older. I think that’s what Hogan has done over the years. He’s lost his focus. He’s lost his way, as far as being able to connect with young people. I always talk about that, as far as young people. If you don’t know how to change with the times, time will pass you by. I say that all the time…

Booker T elaborated on the generational disconnect:

I think it’s this era too. I think it’s the young people, they’re different. It’s a totally different world that we’re living in now. For instance, just say a lot of these fans who were booing, they’ve never watched Hulk Hogan do his thing. They’ve never seen the Andre the Giant match.

Bill Apter Comments on Hulk Hogan’s RAW Reception

Bill Apter discussed the crowd response to Hogan during an appearance on The Wrestling Time Machine with Mac Davis:

It really bothered me that he was getting booed because whatever Terry Bollea is, that’s a different story. If he’s a racist, he is. If he’s not, he’s not. But the character Hulk Hogan, it really tore me apart to see him disrespected. That character, along with Vince McMahon and the office there, touring with them is what put wrestling and sports entertainment into motion. People have to remember this is the character of Hulk Hogan and that character is not the same person.

WWE reviews Hogan’s future appearances following the January 6 crowd reaction.

Bill Apter, Hall of Fame wrestling journalist and Sportskeeda Senior Editor, addressed the crowd response to Hulk Hogan during the WWE RAW premiere on Netflix at the Intuit Dome.

During his appearance on The Wrestling Time Machine with Mac Davis, Apter spoke about the distinction between Terry Bollea and his wrestling persona.

It really bothered me that he was getting booed because whatever Terry Bollea is, that’s a different story. If he’s a racist, he is. If he’s not, he’s not. But the character Hulk Hogan, it really tore me apart to see him disrespected. That character, along with Vince McMahon and the office there, touring with them is what put wrestling and sports entertainment into motion. People have to remember this is the character of Hulk Hogan and that character is not the same person.

WWE is currently reviewing Hogan’s future appearances following the January 6 crowd reaction. Internal discussions are underway regarding potential alternative roles for Hogan, though no definitive plans have been established.

Hulk Hogan faced an unexpected chorus of boos during RAW’s Netflix debut at the Intuit Dome while promoting his Real American Beer brand. Former WWE Champion Rob Van Dam offered perspective on the incident, suggesting the reaction wasn’t particularly noteworthy.

The WWE Hall of Famer attempted his signature crowd interaction and promo style, but the Los Angeles audience responded with sustained negative reactions. The moment sparked widespread online discussion.

History of controversy and comeback

Rob Van Dam shared his thoughts on Hogan’s mixed reception:

Hogan, he’s controversial and quite possibly the most recognizable celebrity on the planet, so I get where that’s hot, but they light him up, and they let him cool down, light him up, lights himself up, he cools down. He goes through cycles always and always seems to dig himself back out mostly and then bury himself again. … I don’t see how it’s that big of a deal. I’m confused by it a little bit.

Hogan’s relationship with WWE has fluctuated since 2015, when he was temporarily removed following the emergence of controversial comments from 2007. He returned to the company in 2018 and has made periodic appearances since.