WWE’s Premier Show “Monday Night Raw” Makes Highly Anticipated Netflix Debut
WWE’s flagship program, “Monday Night Raw,” premiered on Netflix this past Monday, generating significant excitement. The live broadcast took place at the Intuit Dome and featured the return of several former WWE stars, infusing the event with a “Wrestlemania”-like atmosphere.
The show kicked off with Paul “Triple H” Levesque reflecting on WWE’s storied legacy. Shortly after, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson took the stage to commend both WWE and Netflix. His frequent praises of Netflix became a running theme throughout the evening, creating a dynamic reminiscent of the classic Eddie Haskell and Mrs. Cleaver duo.
John Cena made a poignant return as part of his farewell tour, with it already confirmed that this year would mark his final stint as a wrestler. Cena addressed his fans, mentioning that there was no clear path for him to secure a record 17th title win. However, he reminded the audience that a title opportunity would be available to the winner of the upcoming “Royal Rumble” match and announced his intention to compete in the event scheduled for three weeks later.
Following Rhea Ripley’s victory over Liv Morgan to claim the “Raw” women’s title, the iconic sound of a gong echoed through the arena. This signaled the dramatic return of the Undertaker, who arrived on his motorcycle and shared a moment with Ripley, much to the crowd’s delight.
The night nearly mirrored the legendary Attitude Era reunion, with the presence of wrestling icons like Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Steve Austin, and Mick Foley, though only a few returned for this special event.
Wrestling Enthusiasts Flock to WWE Monday Night Raw Event in Boston
Captured by Charles Krupa for AP Photo/Hollywood Inc., wrestling fans gathered in Boston on Monday, March 6, 2023, to witness the live event.
WWE Embarks on a New Netflix Chapter Amidst Years of Turmoil and Fluctuating Ratings January 3, 2025
However, the night reserved a special appearance for another legendary figure who played a pivotal role in elevating professional wrestling during the ‘80s and later as part of the NWO in the ‘90s. After a commercial break, the unmistakable opening notes of “Real American” heralded the arrival of Hulk Hogan, accompanied by his long-time manager Jimmy Hart waving the American flag.
Despite Hogan’s status as one of wrestling’s most beloved figures, his appearance was met with an unexpected wave of boos. On an evening when the Intuit Dome audience was generally supportive, Hogan faced a starkly different reaction. He began his promo with his trademark “brother,” only to be greeted with boos. His praises for the fans, mentions of Randy Savage and Andre the Giant, promotion of his new beer, and compliments about Netflix all failed to win over the crowd. Even his signature act of tearing off his T-shirt, a nod to his classic performances, did little to quell the negativity. Ultimately, the American flag couldn’t salvage his reception.
Hogan appeared visibly surprised by the hostile response. After concluding his segment, he paused for a moment, posed briefly, and then exited the stage, still booed as he left.
Following the event, social media buzzed with theories about the negative reaction, with many speculating it was due to Hogan’s support of Donald Trump. Contrarily, the Undertaker had previously featured Trump on his podcast to enthusiastic cheers, and both Triple H and his wife Stephanie McMahon were warmly received at Trump’s New Year’s Eve party.
In 2015, Hogan faced controversy when a tape surfaced of him using a racial slur to describe his daughter’s boyfriend, leading WWE to temporarily remove him from its Hall of Fame. He was later reinstated after issuing an apology and made a return to live WWE events at WrestleMania 2021, where he was similarly met with loud boos. His appearance at the recent event in Inglewood marked his first live television appearance before an audience since then.
Overall, the night was a success for WWE, delivering a compelling show that delighted fans. However, the lukewarm reception towards Hogan suggests that his future appearances on WWE television remain uncertain.
