Jimmy Hart is opening up about the infamous moment when Hulk Hogan got heavily booed during WWE’s Netflix debut episode of WWE Raw in January 2025 — and according to Hart, Hogan already knew the backlash might be coming before they even walked through the curtain.
While speaking with Cody Rhodes on the “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast, Hart explained that the entire situation started backstage after Hogan wore a Trump–Vance shirt during pre-taped material in California. Hart admitted he immediately felt uncomfortable about the situation and even warned Hogan that the crowd reaction could become hostile once they arrived at the arena.
“Here’s what happened, though—and I told Hulk before we went. And you know, I love you, Hulkster, but I’m going to tell the truth on this. Here’s what happened: he wore a Trump–Vance T-shirt when we did some pre-tape stuff. I said, ‘You know where we’re going—we’re going to California.’ And like I said before, I’m not a Democrat or Republican—I’m a jabroni. But here’s the deal—I said, ‘I don’t like this.’ He said, ‘Jimmy, don’t worry about it.’”
Hart then revealed that things escalated immediately once they arrived at the building, as fans outside the arena directly confronted Hogan before the segment even happened.
“We get out of the van—the nice Town Car pulls up—and some fans go, ‘Hulk, we loved you, but we don’t like you anymore because you’re…’ Oh my God. I said, ‘Hulk…’ And he goes, ‘I don’t feel good about this, Jimmy.’”
According to Hart, even after sensing the crowd turning against him, Hogan still insisted on moving forward with the appearance. Hart admitted he remained nervous backstage throughout rehearsals and could feel the atmosphere getting worse once they walked out in front of the live crowd.
“So we go out and do the little thing—we rehearse where we’re going to stand, Hulk coming out, doing his deal—and I’m waving the flag. Remember how I said, ‘Triple H, whatever you do, Jimmy, don’t let the flag drop’? Boy, I had that thing stretched up there, waving. And we go out, we do it—and I’m really worried. All of a sudden I’m like, ‘Oh… oh…’ But I’m thinking to myself, ‘That’s okay, Jimmy,’ because I’m playing it like I’m managing the Hart Foundation back in my heyday. So I’m waving the heck out of the flag, buddy. And it gets more and more and more, and I can see how it’s going.”
Hart also explained that once they returned backstage, Hogan focused more on the business side of the reaction rather than the negative crowd response itself.
“Hulk comes in like, ‘Hey, the ratings were good on that segment we did.’ And I said, ‘Well, I guess they should be—with all the commotion that happened.’”
That led to Hogan openly admitting he understood exactly why the backlash happened and that he knowingly accepted the consequences tied to his political stance.
“And he goes, ‘Jimmy, look—sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.’ He said, ‘I’ve made my bed, and I’ve got to lie in it. That’s who I wanted to vote for—that’s what I wanted to do.’ He said, ‘I knew in my heart going in there it might be a catchy situation,’ but he knew it.”
Hart also recalled Pat McAfee later parodying the entire situation on his show after the segment became one of the biggest talking points coming out of RAW’s Netflix debut. Despite all the controversy surrounding the appearance, Hart still tried to laugh the situation off by the end of the story.
“And then the next day, Pat McAfee gets on his show and makes a big skit. They had a guy dressed up like Hulk going, ‘I told Jimmy Hart not to wear that silly jacket! I told Jimmy Hart not to have that hairstyle!’ But it turned out great, you know?”
Bottom line: Jimmy Hart says Hulk Hogan absolutely understood the risks before walking into WWE RAW’s Netflix debut in California — but according to Hart, Hogan decided to go through with the appearance anyway despite expecting the crowd to turn on him.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
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