Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, real name Terry Gene Bollea, has died at the age of 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida on Thursday morning.
Emergency services were dispatched around 9:51 AM, with paramedics seen performing chest compressions as the WWE legend was wheeled into an ambulance. He was pronounced dead at 11:17 AM at a local hospital. Police confirmed there was no foul play involved.
A somber Major Nate Burnside of the Clearwater Police Department confirmed Hogan’s passing in a press conference, stating, “There were no signs of suspicious activity.”
Just weeks ago, Hogan’s wife Sky, whom he married in September 2023, shut down rumors that he was in a coma, claiming his heart was “strong” following a neck surgery in May. However, concerns over the WWE star’s health had been swirling, with reports hinting at a decline.
TMZ was the first to report his death, sharing footage of paramedics fighting to save the man who once ruled the ring.
Born in Augusta, Georgia, Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler – he was a revolution. His 1984 title win over The Iron Sheik kicked off the Hulkamania era, turning pro wrestling into mainstream family entertainment. Kids imitated his signature bandana, ripped shirts, and catchphrases like “Say your prayers and eat your vitamins.”
Hogan’s star power stretched beyond the ropes. In 1996, he reinvented himself as the villainous Hollywood Hogan and co-founded the infamous NWO (New World Order), skyrocketing wrestling’s pop culture status even further.
With epic clashes against The Rock, André the Giant, Randy Savage, and the Ultimate Warrior, Hogan’s in-ring legacy is packed with legendary bouts. WrestleMania 3, where he bodyslammed André, remains one of the most iconic moments in wrestling history.
Outside the ring, Hogan had a film career that began with Rocky III (1982), where he played Thunderlips, followed by Suburban Commando, No Holds Barred, and Mr. Nanny. He was also a standout figure at the 2024 Republican National Convention, bringing his signature flair to politics.
Controversy knocked on Hogan’s door in 2015 when he was removed from the WWE Hall of Fame after leaked footage revealed racist comments. He sued Gawker for publishing the tape, won the case, and was re-inducted in 2020 as part of the NWO.
WWE paid tribute to its fallen titan, saying: “One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
The wrestling world has lost its biggest icon.
