There will be no shortage of major names at WWE’s Raw debut on Netflix although some may be more welcome than others.
The world’s biggest wrestling organisation is putting a sizable number of eggs in the proverbial basket for Monday’s mega show in California.
The $2bn Intuit Dome is already well on its way to being ready to throw open its doors to thousands of fans who are lucky enough to have tickets to what will be the first ever edition of Raw on the streaming service.
The red-brand WWE show had been a staple part of regular TV schedules since its loud and rowdy launch back in the mid-1990s, but the company has taken a giant leap into the future by placing Raw with Netflix – and, for international viewers, the rest of its content, too.
A big first impression is important on Monday and, as a result, the rumour mill has been in overdrive in throwing up the names who are set to feature – both from the present day and the legends of yesteryear.
CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Liv Morgan will all wrestle on Monday’s packed edition but, as you’d expect, fans around the world are waiting eagerly to catch a glimpse of names they remember from years gone by.
John Cena is already confirmed for the show as he kicks off his retirement year in WWE, while it’s widely tipped that Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker may be involved, while The Rock has confirmed he’ll be part of the line-up.
Hulk Hogan, too, is another icon from WWE’s past who is now being discussed at length by fans ahead of the show, not least after apparent plans for his involved on the Netflix Raw were shared online.
Dr Chris Featherstone shared on X a rough run-down of some of the expected features for the broadcast, with fans quick to pick up on the inclusion of Hogan who, it’s said, will address the crowd in California.
A controversial figure in recent years, Hogan has been used sparingly on WWE television and it seems a significant portion of the fan base are wary about his involvement, several hoping it will be only to aid the promotion of the company’s younger stars.
“I have a feeling Bronson Reed is gonna give him a bunch of Tsunamis,” quipped one fan, referencing the menacing Aussie performer and his devastating finishing move.
Another tagged Bronson in a reply on X, simply adding: “You know what to do.”
For others it was the idea of a Hogan promo that was unsettling, one posting a meme of Triple H throwing off his backstage headset in response while dozens more summed the sentiment of ‘No thanks, I’ll pass’ shared by others.
“Gross, disgusting. we don’t want this,” said another, while a further, concerned viewer shared: ”Well now I have a reason to not renew my Netflix subscription till next week.”
Hulkamania was very much still running wild for some, though, with one chipping in: “Yeah, brother!’ in reply, while another added: “Hopefully Hulk cuts a promo on the election!”
Hogan made numerous appearances in support of Donald Trump in the 2024 US Presidential race.
The 71-year old last wrestled in a match in 2012, six years after his final WWE outing against Randy Orton.