The wrestling world continues to reflect on the poignant final public appearance of legendary superstar Hulk Hogan, who recently passed away at the age of 71.

Reports confirm that Hogan, whose real name was Terrence Gene Bollea, was found experiencing a serious medical-related issue at his Florida residence on July 24 and was subsequently transported to Morton Plant Hospital, where he died later that morning. Authorities stated there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, which was attributed to a heart attack.

This somber news brings into sharper focus an emotional moment from just six months prior, when the iconic WWE legend made a guest appearance on Netflix’s WWE series Raw, an event that, unbeknownst to him, would mark his last public interaction with the wrestling faithful.

During this appearance at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, Hogan received a decidedly mixed reception from the audience, with a notable presence of boos amidst the cheers. His longtime friend and manager, Jimmy Hart, recently revealed in a podcast that this negative reaction deeply devastated Hulk Hogan, causing him considerable distress.

Hart explained on the Stories With Brisco and Bradshaw podcast that despite years of adoration, even a small chorus of dissent could overshadow immense support for the wrestling star. He suggested that the unexpected boos might have stemmed from Hulk Hogan’s publicly known political affiliations, which had garnered polarizing opinions among fans, a factor that Hart believed played a significant role in the crowd’s reaction.

Compounding the emotional impact, during his segment, Hogan addressed the crowd with a message of unity and partnership, stating, “the greatest partner the WWE has ever had is the fact that tonight, we’re making history, and the WWE has tag teamed up with [unnamed entity], the greatest tag team partner of all time.” This declaration, intended to celebrate a collaboration, was met with an unimpressed response from the audience, further highlighting the tension of the moment.

Following his passing, the WWE released a statement expressing profound sadness, acknowledging Hogan as “one of pop culture’s most recognisable figures” who was instrumental in bringing “global recognition” to the organization in the 1980s. This tribute underscored his immense impact on the sports entertainment industry.

Hulk Hogan’s career was marked by numerous historic milestones, including headlining the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985 and engaging in memorable contests against fellow icons like The Rock in 2002 and Randy Orton in his final recorded WWE match at SummerSlam in 2006, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in professional wrestling history.