Hulk Hogan was once the face of wrestling, leaving an indelible mark on an entire generation with his red and yellow gear, and even more so with his charisma and power moves. For decades, the sports figure stood tall as a symbol of WWE’s golden age, but as time passed, so did the public’s perception of him. Before his recent passing, Hogan made one final appearance on a Netflix special. What was meant to be a triumphant showcase, however, stirred tension, as fans greeted the legend with unexpected boos.

Did a lingering controversy overshadow Hulk Hogan's coveted Netflix moment? Was the crowd booing the man, the legacy, or something more recent?

Hulk Hogan’s appearance on Netflix’s WWE Raw, on January 6, 2025, turned out to be his last before his passing on July 24. Unfortunately, the outing was marred by a harsh reception from the crowd. Hogan was notably one of the legends of the squared circle to be paraded during the said program, where he also promoted his Real American Beer. While Hogan must have been anticipating cheers from fans, he was instead met with boos, reasons for which are speculated to be many, but the primary one being his public support of the current US President, Donald Trump, according to The Mirror.

Though once celebrated for his larger-than-life professional legacy, Hulk Hogan’s image became more complex as time went by. Hogan’s final appearance, being met with boos rather than cheers, reflected a broader cultural shift where fame alone no longer shields public figures from scrutiny. Meanwhile, while Hulk Hogan’s final reception from fans was unfavorable, he was significantly beloved in his prime, thanks to his achievements in this sport.

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A towering presence in the ring, Hulk Hogan went on to shape more than just the world of wrestling.

Hulk Hogan became the face of Hulkamania in the 1980s, transforming wrestling into mainstream entertainment. He first won the WWF (now WWE) World Heavyweight Championship in 1984, headlined the first WrestleMania, and more than held his own against Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in front of over 70,000 fans. Hogan is also the winner of back-to-back Royal Rumble matches, having achieved the feat in 1990 and 1991, becoming the first to do so. His charisma and longevity made him a rightful superstar.

Over the decades, Hulk Hogan collected twelve world titles, six in WWF/WWE and six in WCW, and became a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, inducted first in 2005 for his solo career and again in 2020. Beyond his sports career, Hulk Hogan also ventured into films and reality TV, even once inspiring a Ye spin on himself, further extending his celebrity beyond wrestling. Overall, while fans may have booed the wrestler in his final days, that was not always his identity among them.

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