The world of professional wrestling has lost one of its most towering figures. Hulk Hogan the man who brought wrestling into the mainstream and became one of the most recognizable faces in pop culture —has died at the age of 71.
According to Florida authorities, Hogan was pronounced dead Thursday morning in Clearwater after suffering cardiac arrest. He was taken to a local hospital where he was confirmed deceased. The tragic news was later echoed by the WWE in a post on X (formerly Twitter), expressing deep sorrow at the passing of the Hall of Famer.
"One of pop culture’s most iconic personalities, Hogan was instrumental in putting WWE on the global map in the 1980s. WWE extends its heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the millions of fans worldwide," the statement read.
Born Terry Bollea, Hogan had faced ongoing health issues in recent years, notably chronic back problems rooted in his grueling wrestling career. While he officially stepped out of the ring in 2012, he remained active in the wrestling world, recently making headlines as a founder of the new Real American Freestyle wrestling promotion and planning to launch a themed bar opposite Madison Square Garden — the legendary site of some of his most memorable bouts.
From WrestleMania to the World Stage
Hogan’s rise to superstardom began in 1985 when he headlined the very first WrestleMania alongside TV sensation Mr. T. Their match against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff captivated a massive audience and catapulted professional wrestling into the cultural spotlight.
But it was his legendary showdown with Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III that truly cemented his legacy. Nearly 80,000 fans packed the Pontiac Silverdome for the match, and the televised rematch drew an astonishing 33 million viewers a number unheard of in wrestling.
Hogan dominated the WrestleMania main event scene, headlining seven of the first eight editions. With his signature red-and-yellow gear, bulging biceps, and electrifying charisma, he wasn't just a wrestler — he was a larger-than-life hero who transcended sports entertainment. From talk shows to Hollywood, including a role in Rocky III opposite Sylvester Stallone, Hogan became a household name.
He held the WWF World Heavyweight Championship six times, including a record-setting reign of 1,474 days —a feat surpassed only by Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund.
Reinvention and Controversy
In 1996, just when it seemed his heroic image had run its course, Hogan shocked the world with the greatest character twist in wrestling history. Turning heel in WCW, he led the infamous New World Order (NWO) — a rebellious, villainous faction that revitalized the industry during the gritty '90s.
Wearing black and white and adopting the name “Hollywood Hogan,” he became the face of wrestling’s edgier era. The move paid off big — Hogan and the NWO helped WCW dominate WWF in TV ratings for an unprecedented 83 consecutive weeks.
In 2002, he returned to WWE for a dream match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8 in Toronto. Though cast as the villain, the crowd erupted in cheers for Hogan, forcing a nostalgic return to his red-and-yellow persona shortly after.
A Complicated Legacy
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, but his post-wrestling years weren’t without controversy. In 2015, leaked video footage captured him using racial slurs —a scandal that led WWE to terminate his contract. He later returned in 2018 in a limited ambassador role.
That same year, a sex tape scandal saw Hogan suing the media outlet Gawker for invasion of privacy and defamation. He emerged victorious, winning a $115 million settlement in a landmark case.
Earlier this year, Hogan appeared on WWE’s Netflix debut to promote his new Real American Beer, though the reception from fans in Los Angeles was mixed.
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