January 7th 2025.
During the first Raw on Netflix, WWE fans were not pleased to see Hulk Hogan make a rare appearance. The 71-year-old Hall of Famer, who had previously shown his support for Donald Trump during the presidential campaign, made his entrance to his iconic Real American theme song accompanied by his longtime on-screen manager, Jimmy Hart.
Despite trying to hype up his own wrestling legacy, his love for the fans, and his beer brand's new deal with WWE, fans could be heard loudly booing his every word. Social media was also abuzz with reactions to Hogan's reception, with many expressing surprise at hearing him get booed. It was reminiscent of his return at WrestleMania 37 in 2021 and his last appearance at the Raw XXX 30th anniversary show two years ago, both of which were met with technical difficulties and negative reactions from the audience.
Hogan's controversial past also resurfaced, as he was fired from WWE in 2015 after a recording of him using the N-word was leaked during a sex tape lawsuit against Gawker magazine. However, he was later reinstated by WWE in 2018 after apologising for his comments and describing the scandal as a 'speed bump'. At the time of the scandal, Hogan had released a statement apologising for his use of a racial slur and stating that it did not reflect who he truly is as a person.
Moving on from the Hogan controversy, the Raw premiere also featured John Cena, who received a hero's welcome as he kicked off his 2025 Farewell Tour ahead of his retirement in December. Despite initially claiming that he would not be pursuing a record-breaking 17th world championship run due to his long losing streak, Cena surprised fans by announcing his entry into next month's Royal Rumble. If he wins the match, he will earn himself a world title shot at WrestleMania in Las Vegas.
Another highlight of the Raw debut on Netflix was The Undertaker's brief appearance. Riding out on a motorbike, he made a passing-the-torch moment with Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley, who had just reclaimed her title from Liv Morgan. The Undertaker's presence added to the excitement of the night, as Netflix has become the new home of WWE in the UK.
In addition to all the action in the ring, Hogan's beer brand also received a boost as it was announced that it would have ring mat corner branding during every episode of Raw. Hogan himself expressed his excitement about this partnership, stating that he has always fought for something bigger than himself and is proud to bring Real American Beer into the ring with WWE.
Overall, the Raw debut on Netflix was a star-studded affair with appearances from both past and present WWE legends. And as always, the world of wrestling continues to provide endless entertainment and surprises for fans.
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