According to TMZ Sports, the wrestling world has lost one of its most iconic and larger-than-life stars. Terry Gene Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, passed away at the age of 71 early Thursday morning due to a sudden cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene shortly after sunrise, with multiple police and EMT units arriving as Hogan was carried on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance. Despite their best efforts, the WWE legend was pronounced dead soon after.
In recent weeks, rumors swirled about Hogan’s health, with some falsely claiming he was in a coma. However, his wife Sky had firmly denied those reports, sharing that Hogan was strong and recovering from neck surgery earlier this year. Tragically, the resilient icon known for his in-ring toughness was unexpectedly struck down by a fatal cardiac event.
Today, fans and the world at large mourn not only the passing of a wrestling superstar but also a cultural icon who left an indelible mark across sports, television, film, and American pop culture. Hulk Hogan’s legacy will forever remain larger than life.
Hulk Hogan: The Man, The Myth, The Mania
Before The Rock, John Cena, or Stone Cold Steve Austin took center stage, there was Hulk Hogan — a titan who didn’t just compete in professional wrestling; he redefined it.
Born Terry Gene Bollea in Augusta, Georgia in 1953 and raised in Tampa, Florida, Hogan’s journey to wrestling stardom was anything but ordinary. Originally a musician and bodybuilder, his path changed forever when wrestling promoter Hiro Matsuda tested his resolve by famously breaking Hogan’s leg during training — a brutal challenge that only fueled Hogan’s relentless determination.
By the late 1970s, Hogan was making waves in regional wrestling circuits, but it was his 1979 debut in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) that launched a legendary empire. Towering at 6’7” with bulging 24-inch arms, a trademark handlebar mustache, and sun-bleached golden locks, Hogan was an instant visual icon. But it was his magnetic charisma, electrifying energy, and unforgettable catchphrases — “Train, say your prayers, eat your vitamins, and believe in yourself!” — that captured hearts worldwide.
When he famously dethroned The Iron Sheik for the WWF Championship in 1984 at Madison Square Garden, “Hulkamania” was born, igniting a cultural phenomenon.
A One-Man Pop Culture Juggernaut
Hulk Hogan’s impact transcended wrestling. In the 1980s and early 90s, he was a superhero to a generation of kids — starring in Saturday morning cartoons, inspiring best-selling action figures, and selling out arenas in minutes. Children everywhere mimicked his poses, adults cheered his battles against villainous foreign foes, reflecting America’s own cultural battles.
Under Vince McMahon’s visionary leadership, WWF exploded into an entertainment powerhouse, with Hogan as its shining star. He headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias — including the legendary moment when he body-slammed André the Giant at WrestleMania III in front of 93,000 electrified fans. That slam became one of the most iconic clips in sports entertainment history, forever etched in memory.
Without Hogan, WWE as we know it might never have existed. He was not just a wrestler — he was the reason millions tuned in. Hulk Hogan made wrestling mainstream.
Reinvention: The Birth of “Hollywood” Hogan
But Hogan’s legacy isn’t just about his rise — it’s about his masterful reinvention.
In 1996, Hogan stunned the wrestling world by switching to WCW and shocking fans with a heel turn at Bash at the Beach. No longer the all-American hero, he morphed into “Hollywood” Hogan — a dark, arrogant figure aligned with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash in the villainous New World Order (NWO). Fans threw trash in outrage, but the storyline revived WCW’s fortunes, dominating TV ratings for 83 straight weeks.
Hogan’s transformation reflected a changing cultural mood — from the bright optimism of the ’80s to the edgier, cynical ’90s. He adapted, evolved, and conquered once more — this time as the villain everyone loved to hate.
From the Ring to the Silver Screen
Hogan’s fame wasn’t limited to the squared circle. He made a memorable Hollywood debut in Rocky III (1982) as Thunderlips — a colorful, larger-than-life boxer opposite Sylvester Stallone. The cameo launched a film career that included No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, Mr. Nanny, and Santa with Muscles — family-friendly action flicks that further embedded Hogan in pop culture.
His reach extended to animated shows, video games, and reality TV, notably Hogan Knows Best, which brought fans into his personal life — for better and worse.
Controversy, Comeback, and Redemption
In 2015, Hogan’s image took a hit when a leaked private tape revealed racist remarks, leading WWE to sever ties. The backlash was swift and severe.
But Hogan fought back — legally and personally. His $140 million lawsuit against Gawker Media over the tape became a landmark case about privacy and media ethics. Slowly, public forgiveness followed. WWE cautiously welcomed him back, and in 2020, he was re-inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the NWO, symbolizing a complex but powerful redemption arc.
The Final Chapter
In recent years, Hogan lived quietly in Clearwater, Florida with his wife Sky, staying connected with fans and the wrestling world. But his body bore the scars of decades of punishment. Multiple surgeries and chronic pain took a toll. After a major neck surgery in May 2024, Hogan’s recovery was slow, but his spirit remained warrior-strong.
Tragically, it was his heart — the very symbol of his strength and determination — that finally gave out.
An Immortal Legend
Hulk Hogan was never just a man. He was a myth made flesh — a symbol of showmanship, resilience, and American spectacle. For millions, he was the first wrestling hero they ever cheered; for others, the unforgettable villain who kept them glued to the screen. Hogan taught us to flex when life got tough, to rip open our shirts and face the world, to believe in something bigger than ourselves.
In death, he becomes immortal.
Fans, wrestlers, and celebrities around the world have flooded social media with tributes, celebrating the man who bodyslammed his way into history.
A Final Salute
As the wrestling world mourns, WWE plans a special tribute on Monday Night Raw. WrestleMania 42 will forever honor the man who helped shape the spectacle.
Hogan leaves behind his wife Sky, children Brooke and Nick, and a global legion of fans who will forever chant his name.
Though the man is gone, Hulkamania lives on — forever roaring, forever strong.
Rest in Power, Hulk Hogan. The legend will never fade.