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Transcript

Ep. 5: Why did the fans boo Hulk Hogan?

WWE's debut on Netflix was overshadowed by Hulk Hogan's being viciously booed by 17K people. What does this tell us about wrestling's past and America's future?

A $5 billion dollar deal to stream World Wrestling Entertainment on Netflix kicked off on January 6, 2025 with 4 matches sprinkled across three hours of pageantry.

But the headlines were stolen by Hulk Hogan. Boos and screams of “Nobody cares!” and “f***ing bullshit!” drowned out his pitch for a beer brand he launched as part of a right wing backlash against a Bud Light commercial that featured a transgender woman.

What does the Hulkster’s rude reception tell us about wrestling's past and America's future?

Wrestling’s preeminent scholar, Dr Sharon Mazer, joins us along with wrestling fan and media critic Sarah Kurchak to help us sort it out.

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—Eric

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