The world of wrestling and sports in general is in mourning following the passing of Hulk Hogan, a figure who transcended the sporting arena to become a cultural icon. The news, confirmed by the Florida police and WWE, has shocked fans around the world.
Clearwater, Florida authorities responded to a call on Thursday morning related to a cardiac arrest. Hogan was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to a police statement.
WWE, through its social media, expressed its sadness for the loss of this Hall of Fame member.
Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was one of the most recognized figures in pop culture, contributing significantly to the global recognition of WWE in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.Hulk Hogan was the main event star in seven of the first eight WrestleMania events and revitalized massive interest in wrestling in the 1990s with his transition to create the NWO.
Hogan, who wrestled under the name Terry Bollea, had been dealing with several health problems in recent years, including a persistent back injury that he had been carrying since his days in the ring. Although he hadn’t wrestled since 2012, he remained in the public eye as the founder of the wrestling promotion Real American Freestyle and the owner of a bar in New York, near Madison Square Garden, the scene of many of his most important matches.
In 1985, Hogan headlined the first WrestleMania, teaming with 1980s television star Mr. T, to face Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. WrestleMania I, held at MSG, drew 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 national awareness.
Hogan’s match with 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 event 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 on television, including the syndicated 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 switch to the biggest heel turn in wrestling history as a second act. Working for WWE’s competition, World Championship Wrestling, Hogan became a villain, leading a group of invaders called the New World Order. The heel turn, 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 its ruthless leader, wearing black and white instead of his signature red and yellow, gave new life to the wrestling industry during the counterculture of the 1990s, when the public demanded a darker, 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, the then-biggest hero of the WWE, which forced Hogan to return to Florida that weekend to pick up 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 are among several wrestling icons who reacted to Hogan’s death on social media.
Former President Donald Trump also spoke out about it. Hogan gave a speech at the Republican National Convention last July to support Trump’s presidential campaign.
We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster’. Hulk Hogan was MAGA to the core: 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!
Donald Trump
After concluding his wrestling career, Hogan found himself embroiled in some controversy. In 2015, video recordings were leaked in which he used the “N” word 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 starring 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.
