Hulk Hogan, one of the most iconic names in professional wrestling history, has passed away at the age of 71.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) confirmed the news on Jul 24 (Thursday), saying they were “saddened” by the death of the Hall of Famer, who helped make wrestling a global phenomenon back in the 1980s.
Police in Clearwater, Florida, responded to a medical emergency call that morning. Hogan had suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Man Behind the Legend
Born as Terry Gene Bollea in Georgia in 1953, Hogan rose to fame with his bleach-blond hair, muscular build, and signature move, the body slam. He started off playing bass guitar in rock bands before turning to wrestling in the 1970s.
His stage name “Hulk” came from comparisons to the comic book hero, and “Hogan” was given by a wrestling promoter who wanted an Irish-sounding name.
He became a household name after his appearance in Rocky III and skyrocketed to superstardom in 1984 after defeating the Iron Sheik for the world title. That same year, he helped make WrestleMania one of WWE’s biggest shows ever.
One of his most legendary moments came in 1987 at WrestleMania III, when he body-slammed Andre the Giant in front of a sold-out stadium.
From Yellow Tights to Hollywood Hogan
In the 1990s, Hogan shocked fans by turning “heel”, switching from good guy to villain. He joined a rival wrestling company, WCW, and became the leader of a gang called the New World Order, ditching his yellow tights for black ones and going by “Hollywood Hogan”.
He later returned to WWE and even fought The Rock at WrestleMania in 2002, a match that drew global attention.
Hulk Hogan’s Controversies and Comebacks
Hogan’s career wasn’t without drama. In 2015, he was suspended from WWE after a leaked recording revealed him using a racial slur. He was reinstated in 2018.
He also made headlines for a lawsuit against gossip site Gawker over a leaked sex tape. He won the case and was awarded US$140 million in damages, a move that eventually shut Gawker down.
More recently, in 2024, Hogan appeared at the Republican National Convention to endorse Donald Trump. He ripped off his shirt to reveal a Trump tank top and shouted, “Let Trumpamania rule again!”, a nod to his wrestling catchphrases.
Wrestling Icon and Pop Culture Star
Hogan called himself the “Babe Ruth of wrestling” and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame not once, but twice.
Outside the ring, he starred in a reality show, Hogan Knows Best, with his family and appeared in movies like Santa with Muscles and Mr. Nanny.
He was married three times and leaves behind two children.
Whether you loved him for his over-the-top energy or iconic matches, there’s no doubt Hulk Hogan left a lasting legacy in wrestling and pop culture.
