The wrestling world mourns the loss of Hulk Hogan, a figure who transcended the sport and became a cultural icon. Hogan, known for bringing wrestling to national fame and being one of the highest-grossing wrestlers in history, passed away on Thursday at the age of 71, according to Florida police and WWE.
Clearwater, Florida authorities responded to a call on Thursday morning due to cardiac arrest. Hogan was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to a police statement.
The police statement added: “There were no signs of foul play or suspicious activity.”
WWE, through its social media, expressed its sadness over the passing of the Hall of Fame member.
In its publication, WWE highlighted that Hogan was “one of the most recognizable figures in pop culture, Hogan helped WWE achieve worldwide recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”Hulk Hogan main evented seven of the first eight WrestleMania events and revitalized interest in wrestling in the 1990s with his heel turn to create the NWO.
Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, had faced several health problems in recent years, including a persistent back injury stemming from his wrestling days. Although he hadn’t wrestled since 2012, he remained in the public eye as the founder of the Real American Freestyle wrestling promotion and the owner of a bar in New York, near Madison Square Garden, the scene of many of his most iconic matches.
In 1985, Hogan starred in the first WrestleMania, teaming with 1980s television star Mr. T, to face Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. WrestleMania I, at MSG, attracted an audience of around 1 million people through closed-circuit television and is credited with bringing professional wrestling, specifically the then WWF (now WWE), to the national stage.
The match between Hogan and Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III took the wrestling business, and Hogan’s career, to new heights. Around 80,000 people filled the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan for the match. The rematch, several months later on NBC, drew 33 million viewers.
Hogan was the main star in seven of the first eight WrestleMania events. He was the face and hero of the wrestling world, breaking into the mainstream with numerous appearances on television talk shows, as well as starring roles in films, including the third “Rocky” film, where he faced the main character played by Sylvester Stallone, and television, including the series “Thunder in Paradise” in the 1990s. Hogan won the WWF World Heavyweight Championship six times, including a reign of 1,474 days. Only Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund held the belt for more consecutive days.
In 1996, with interest in him as a hero waning, Hogan made the most impactful change in wrestling history as a second act. Working for WWE’s competition, World Championship Wrestling, Hogan became the villain, leading a group of invaders called the New World Order. This change, 29 years ago this summer, captured the public’s interest in a way that wrestling hadn’t achieved since WrestleMania I. The NWO, with “Hollywood” Hogan as the ruthless leader, wearing black and white instead of his characteristic red and yellow, breathed new life into the wrestling industry during the counterculture of the 1990s, when audiences demanded a darker and more adult product. Hogan rose to the challenge, helping WCW beat the WWF in television ratings for 83 consecutive weeks starting in 1996.
Hogan returned to WWE in 2002 to face The Rock at WrestleMania 18 in Toronto. His character was the villainous version of the NWO, but the more than 68,000 attendees were not interested in booing Hogan. They cheered him over The Rock, then the biggest hero in WWE, which forced Hogan to return to Florida that weekend to look for his old red and yellow wrestling shirts and trunks.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Ric Flair and Triple H were among several notable wrestling icons who reacted to Hogan’s death on social media.
Donald Trump also reacted to the news.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump posted his reaction on Truth Social.
Former President Trump said: “We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster.’ Hulk Hogan was MAGA in every way: strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an absolutely electrifying speech at the Republican National Convention, which was one of the highlights of the whole week. He entertained fans all over the world, and the cultural impact he had was massive. To his wife, Sky, and his family, we send our best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!”
After his wrestling career concluded, Hogan found himself embroiled in some controversy. In 2015, video recordings were leaked in which he used a racial slur and referred to himself as “racist to a certain extent.” WWE terminated his legends contract at the time, although they reinstated him three years later as an ambassador with infrequent television appearances. Hogan appeared on WWE’s Netflix debut show in January to promote his new Real American beer, but was booed by fans in Los Angeles.
A sex tape involving Hogan was leaked by the website Gawker in 2015, and Hogan subsequently sued for defamation, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress. Hogan won the case and received $115 million.
