WWE legend Hulk Hogan is in hot water with wrestling fans once again after appearing to snub those who’d queued to see him at an autograph signing.
The iconic performer remains one of the most recognisable figures on the planet thanks to his success in the ring decades ago.
The veteran helped propel the niche world of pro wrestling into the mainstream in the 1980s as the spearhead of the Hulkamania movement.
He won the WWE Championship five times in his heyday before defecting to rival organisation WCW and making history there, too – his heel turn to join the NWO ranked among the best in a recent poll.
His unrivalled career hasn’t been without its controversies, however, some of which have seen WWE themselves move to distance themselves from having Hogan appear on its programming.
Years after accused of using a racial slur and, in the eyes of some performers failing to take responsibility for it, Hogan was roundly booed at WWE’s maiden event on Netflix back in January.
Though Hogan was adamant it was his pulling for Donald Trump in the US elections that accounted for the hostile reaction, many were quick to note that another Trump follower in The Undertaker received a hero’s welcome at the same show.
Regardless of the reasoning for the poor reception, the California crowd left Hogan in no doubt as to how they felt about him – as have a number of fans who lined up to meet him at another high-profile appearance.
Hundreds of supporters stood in line for a chance to mingle with the wrestling great in New York when, according to local reports, Hogan promptly upped and ran out of the session without explanation.
The report noted that 200 fans had been promised a meeting with the Hulkster in addition to a photo and autograph, only for the 71-year-old seemingly to depart with more than a dozen still waiting.
One father, Robert Taylor, told news12 that he had his children had been waiting for four hours before being left disappointed by Hogan and the unexplained departure.
“I was there with my son and daughter,” Taylor said. “ It was an exciting day, especially for my son. They said he could only see up to number 200 and we were 185.”
Taylor is said to have been part of a group of fans who’d been assured they’d be able to take pictures and collect autographs.
“It was really quick,” he added of the abrupt end to the session.
“They just stood up and bolted along the back. Some lady was very upset, screaming and cursing. My son just started crying and a bunch of other kids were crying.”
The parent’s upset children were seen in a video he provided to the outlet pleading for answers from Hogan, saying ‘You’re the worst,’ and ‘Why did you do this?’
Taylor added: “If he had to leave, he could’ve walked down and shook people’s hands and said: ‘Hey, I’m sorry we have to get going,’ rather than just leaving people stranded.”
PWInsider also reported that another appearance on the tour saw the wrestler arrive late and leave without aligning any autographs.
Hogan, whose team are said to have not responded to requests for comment, has been cross-crossing locations in the US in a drive to promote the Real American Beer he launched in conjunction with WWE back at the Netflix event in January.
After his poorly received appearance, he was seen downing the beer backstage with WWE legend Rey Mysterio.
