Hulk Hogan, Wrestling Legend, Dies at 71 Years Old

Hulk Hogan, World Wrestling Legend, Passes Away

The wrestling world is in mourning. Hulk Hogan, the iconic star who brought this sport to national stardom and became the highest-grossing wrestler in history, passed away on Thursday at the age of 71, according to Florida authorities 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. Major Nate Burnside informed journalists that there were no indications of foul play or suspicious activity. WWE expressed its sadness at the loss of the Hall of Fame member through its social media. WWE noted that Hogan was one of the most recognizable figures in pop culture, helping the company achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extended its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.

Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, had dealt with several health problems in recent years, including a persistent back injury derived from his days in wrestling. Although he did not wrestle since 2012, he remained active in the entertainment world, being the founder of the wrestling promotion Real American Freestyle and owner of a bar in New York. In 1985, Hogan starred in the first WrestleMania, teaming with Mr. T to face Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. WrestleMania I, held at Madison Square Garden, attracted around a million viewers through closed-circuit television and is credited with bringing professional wrestling, specifically the then WWF (now WWE), to the national stage.

His match against 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, broadcast 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, transcending into the general realm with numerous appearances on television shows and leading roles in movies and television, including “Thunder in Paradise” in the 1990s. Hogan won the WWF World Heavyweight Championship six times, including a reign of 1,474 days. In 1996, with interest in him as a hero waning, Hogan starred in the biggest villain turn in wrestling history. Working for WCW, WWE’s competitor, Hogan became a villain, leading a group called the New World Order. This character change revitalized public interest in wrestling, especially during the 90s. Hogan returned to WWE in 2002 to face The Rock at WrestleMania 18 in Toronto. Despite appearing as a villain, the more than 68,000 attendees cheered him, forcing him to return to his traditional image. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. Ric Flair and Triple H were some of the wrestling figures who reacted to Hogan’s death on social media. Former President Donald Trump also issued a statement. Hogan supported Trump’s presidential campaign at the Republican National Convention last July. Trump said on Truth Social: “We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster’. Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the 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 from 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, Hogan was involved in some controversies. In 2015, video recordings were leaked where he used racial slurs. WWE terminated his contract at that time, although they reinstated him three years later as an ambassador. In 2015, a sex tape of Hogan was also leaked, which led to a defamation lawsuit, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress. Hogan won the case and received $115 million.