WWE are reportedly discussing a Hulk Hogan heel turn after the negative reaction to his appearance during the Raw on Netflix premiere.
On a show packed with star names from the past and present, WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan made his return on the Raw on Netflix premiere on January 6.
Cutting a promo promoting his Real American Beer brand – of which WWE have now officially entered a partnership with – Hogan was drowned out with boos from the crowd inside the Intuit Dome, making for a massive point of discussion among fans online and even mainstream media outlets afterwards.
Daily Mail has now revealed Hogan’s response to the negative crowd reaction, as well as WWE’s plans to potentially capitalise on it going forward.
According to a source in WWE, Hogan was expected to be cheered by the Los Angeles crowd, due in part to having Jimmy Hart alongside him waving an American flag.
The multi-time former WWE Champion was said to be “instantly disappointed” with the reaction he ended up receiving from a majority of fans, but “wasn’t pissed”.
Had Hogan not been there to promote Real American Beer he reportedly would have leant into the response, but instead he just tried to get through the segment.
While he was disappointed immediately afterwards, Hogan was eventually said to be “excited” by how it turned out, and is keen to “take advantage” of the negative response “all the way to the bank”.
The source noted how “even a bad reaction goes a long way” and the segment was still great promotion for his beer.
Hogan is reportedly planned for more appearances on WWE TV, only this time the company are potentially planning to have him lean into the negativity and portray a heel for the first time in decades.
Daily Mail’s source detailed these plans, comparing it to how WWE pivoted with The Rock after the hostility to his return ahead of WrestleMania 40:
“Those in the back have listened to the fans as they do with most of their storylines, they listen to the audience and if they have a direction they want to go with something, they will attempt that first but if the crowd reaction is so different, they will make sure to steer it the way the tide is going.
“There has already been discussion that the next time they put Hogan on TV is to make him a heel or a bad guy, because the last time he was a bad guy, it worked wonders for his career.
“They might base it toward what they had to do with The Rock last year. The last few times The Rock came back, they made him the hero and the fans hated it. The Rock leaned into being bad, they changed direction and now after last night, the fans like The Rock again.
“So by giving the fans what they want, you get what you want, and for them that is the adulation. Hogan and some of the writers have since talked and whenever Hogan comes back, if he were to be booed, they are going to expect it and lean into it 100%.
“Plans are for Hogan to be a bad guy again and to help out a future storyline with another wrestler.”
Hogan was featured prominently in WWE’s commercial promoting Saturday Night’s Main Event in San Antonio, TX on January 25.
We will provide further details on WWE’s potential plans for Hulk Hogan as/when they become available.
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