The Netflix debut of WWE Raw was packed with wrestling legends, from The Rock to The Undertaker, delivering a nostalgia-soaked extravaganza. But while most stars basked in applause, Hulk Hogan found himself in an awkward spot—mercilessly booed by the Los Angeles crowd after stepping into the ring to promote his Real American Beer.
Hogan’s reception was so icy that social media quickly latched onto an old, familiar rivalry to explain the reaction: The Iron Sheik would’ve been loving this.
The Ghost of The Iron Sheik Lives On
While Hogan pushed through his promo despite the hostile crowd, fans online had a field day. The recurring theme? The Iron Sheik, Hogan’s iconic nemesis, laughing from beyond the grave. A generational hater who never minced words about his disdain for “the Hulkster,” Sheik’s spirit seemingly transcended death in the form of his famously venomous social media presence.
“Through thick and thin Hulk Hogan go f**k yourself,” posted the Sheik’s official X account this week, keeping the fire alive in classic Sheik fashion.
Fans joined the fun, channeling Sheik’s over-the-top energy:
- “The Iron Sheik hated Hulk Hogan so much, he tweeted from beyond the grave.”
- “Hogan getting booed on live TV is the greatest tribute to The Iron Sheik anyone could’ve asked for.”
- “WrestleMania 41: Hulk Hogan vs. The Ghost of The Iron Sheik. Book it.”
Why the Boos?
While nostalgia often makes wrestling crowds forgiving, Hogan’s controversies seem harder to shake. From a scandal involving racial slurs to his appearance at the Republican National Convention in 2024, his off-screen actions have alienated many fans. The LA crowd made it clear they weren’t here for redemption arcs, regardless of how catchy “Real American” still is.
Iron Sheik: The Eternal Rival
Even in life, The Iron Sheik’s disdain for Hogan was legendary. The two first clashed in 1984 when Sheik dropped the WWF Championship to Hogan, kickstarting Hulk-A-Mania. Sheik later claimed that AWA promoter Verne Gagne offered him a bribe to break Hogan’s leg during the match, but Sheik chose to stick to the script. The animosity, however, only grew, with Sheik delivering scathing interviews and rants about Hogan for decades.
Whether the Sheik’s ghost truly inspired the boos or not, one thing’s for sure: the wrestling world’s most enduring rivalry is alive and well in spirit.