WWE’s Monday Night Raw debut on Netflix from Los Angeles had few issues and went off without a hitch except an appearance from Hulk Hogan.
It was announced on Monday that Hogan’s “Real American Beer” had secured a “multi-year” deal with the former WWE star. The first hour was a gratuitous groveling thanking Netflix for the cash basically. TKO pulled out all the stops with having a lot of its A-listy people there including Travis Scott, shown smoking weed, as he entered with Jay Uso. Vanessa Hudgens, Macaulay Culkin and Bill Simmons were also in attendance.
The Undertaker, Jon Cena and The Rock all made appearances with the latter two speaking to the adoration of the crowd. The Undertaker got the rub from a Rhea Ripley title win to the crowd.
But it was Hulk Hogan who drew the most ire of the crowd. Hogan came out with Jimmy Hart and the American flag. While there was a smattering of cheers from the crowd, the boos did not begin until Hogan began speaking. Notably, Hogan did the promo at the entry way instead of the ring. This could be in part to the fact he looked like he walked with a limp which could be due in part to a bad back. The crowd started to boo Hogan as he attempted to promote his beer and pay homage to Netflix. It was audible that the audience did not buy what Hogan was selling.
The awkward segment may be due in part to the fact that many WWE fans are done with Hulk Hogan. Whether it be the fact that he was exiled by the company for racist statements caught on video or his recent pandering to the President-elect, the Los Angeles crowd did not like Hogan. This was a miscalculation by WWE. The promotion that usually is very strategic and deliberate with its actions was not prepared for the backlash in Los Angeles. Certainly, the crowd reception may have played out better if this event was in Florida or in the south, but the progressive audience in California was not buying it.
What could this mean to the Hogan beer deal? While it’s a ‘multi-year’ deal, I could see the promotion cutting its losses and buying out Hogan. After all, it could easily obtain a real beer sponsor instead of what seems like a favor to Hogan to promote his new venture.
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