Hulk Hogan’s Last WWE Appearance and Legacy Reflected Upon
During his final WWE appearance, which took place on January 6, 2025, Hulk Hogan faced unexpected boos, a sharp contrast to his storied career in wrestling, which many deem the greatest in WWE history.
By the end of this public event, Hogan had seemingly aligned himself with President Donald Trump, a move that estranged some of his longtime fans. Brian Stokel, who directed a Netflix documentary about Hogan, noted, “He never showed any remorse. He remained true to himself.”
Initially, Hogan had committed to 25 hours of interviews for the documentary, recorded over five days. However, following his passing in July at the age of 71, viewers won’t get the chance to see the completed work.
Long before openly supporting Trump, Hogan was no stranger to controversy. Stokel mentioned wanting to “humanize him and really get to know Terry Bollea as a person.” His approach to documentaries focuses on recognizing the complexities of individuals rather than labeling them as purely good or bad. He reflected, “People are more nuanced than that, and those nuances are what make their stories compelling.”
The shift in Hogan’s public persona began after an assassination attempt on Trump in July 2024. Stokel recounted, “He said he had actually been supporting Trump quietly for a while but felt embarrassed to wear the hat until that moment.” Following the attempt, Hogan publicly declared his support, which led to some backlash.
In an interesting twist, Stokel’s last conversation with Hogan occurred shortly after an interview with Trump for the documentary. He described the moment as surreal, saying it felt like one of those incredible stories you imagine as a child. “I just spent some time with Trump, and here I am on the phone with Hogan moments later; he was thrilled,” Stokel remembered.
Sadly, their conversation came as Hogan was dealing with health issues following surgery. Stokel had been at WWE headquarters in Connecticut the day Hogan passed, working on a documentary that would focus on Hogan’s life. Reflecting on the film, he realized that some moments felt poignant in light of Hogan’s death. “There are parts where I mention returning to interview him again, and it becomes a haunting reflection that it will never happen,” Stokel stated.
Stokel felt a strong duty to tell the story of Hogan as a significant figure in wrestling history. He expressed a desire to approach the narrative with fairness. “I want to honor him properly. Yes, he had his flaws, but he was a warm person with a large personality,” he shared. Despite Hogan’s shortcomings, Stokel aimed to present a well-rounded view of his life, hoping the audience gains a deeper understanding of who Hogan was as a person.
