If Jermain Defoe wasn't already sure how much football meant to the people of the north east, he found out on Thursday evening. Just days after scoring the winner for Sunderland in the Tyne/Wear derby, the striker received a somewhat mixed reception when he was introduced to the crowd at a wrestling event in Newcastle. The 32-year-old waved to the crowd at the WWE event, but the response he received was full of boos. The WWE's show in Newcastle was their latest on their tour of the UK after WrestleMania. Jermain Defoe received a mixed ovation when he was introduced to the crowd at an event in Newcastle . The Sunderland striker was booed by some when he walked out at the WWE event on Thursday . On Sunday Defoe scored a stunning volley from outside the penalty area to send Sunderland to a 1-0 victory over Newcastle in a feisty derby at the Stadium of Light. Perhaps it was a mistake by staff from the wrestling company to parade the Sunderland striker so close after the event. Defoe agreed a move back to the Premier League in January after cutting short his time in the MLS with Toronto FC. His goal against Newcastle at the weekend was his third since moving to the Stadium of Light earlier in the year as he bids to help Sunderland avoid relegation from the Premier League. Defoe scored the winner for Sunderland in their Tyne/Wear derby victory on Sunday at the Stadium of Light . The 32-year-old striker found the top corner with a stunning volley from outside the penalty area on Sunday .
Jermain Defoe received a mixed reception from fans in Newcastle.
The 32-year-old was introduced to the crowd at a WWE event.
Defoe scored the winner for Sunderland in Tyne/Wear derby on Sunday.