Hulk Hogan's WWE return did not go as planned.
Hogan returned to WWE programming on Monday Night Raw's debut on Netflix, in large part due to WWE's new partnership with Real American Beer. We're told that Hogan had been due to make a number of appearances in the future tied to the partnership, however, this week's went awry.
Hogan was heavily booed, to the point Variety and CNN even picked up coverage of it. Many we talked to in the company weren't happy that was a common talking point emerging from such an important night for WWE. There were specifically a number of people that told us they brought up the possibility that he would get booed.
Hogan's appearance was already limited to a couple of minutes due to his physical condition, which is why he only appeared at the top of the interest. Those we spoke to said that Hogan was "surprised and disappointed" he got booed, but brushed it off backstage. We haven't necessarily heard that he was of the belief it was due to politics, but at the very least there was nobody we spoke to disillusioned enough to think that was the sole reason.
There were a number of people online who suggested he come out as NWO Hogan to lean into it, but one source within WWE said "that certainly wouldn't have been the original plan. We're trying to sell beer, not get a 70 year old over any way we can." That source said that they believed WWE would probably consider the context in which Hogan is used moving forward, and said that many knew the reaction was a possibility.
WWE's on-air partnership with Real American Beer is not expected to end. One person in WWE indicated to Fightful that they had personally mentioned the idea of using a more modern WWE talent or legend to help endorse the product.
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