Wrestling Icon Hulk Hogan Dies at 71

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by Butch Belga

Hulk Hogan in 2014 at Wrestlemania 30. Photo: Mediapunch.

Terry Bollea, famously known as Hulk Hogan, passed away on Thursday at age 71, as confirmed by WWE. A towering figure in professional wrestling, Hogan became a global pop culture phenomenon in the 1980s and ‘90s, helping catapult WWE into mainstream popularity.

Hogan died at a hospital in Clearwater, Florida, after suffering cardiac arrest, according to authorities. Police confirmed there was no foul play, and an investigation is ongoing.

"The Immortal" Hulk Hogan. Photo: Getty Images.

Famous for his red-and-yellow gear, charisma, and signature lines like “Say your prayers and eat your vitamins,” Hogan became the face of wrestling’s boom era. He headlined WrestleMania events, feuded with legends like André the Giant and Randy Savage, and was pivotal in transforming wrestling into a billion-dollar entertainment industry.

Hogan body slams Andre The Giant at Wrestlemania 3. Photo: X/Darren Rovell.

In 1996, he shocked fans by turning heel and becoming “Hollywood” Hogan in WCW, forming the New World Order alongside Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. This move helped WCW dominate TV ratings for over a year, marking a rare period where WWE fell behind.

"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan. Photo: The Sportster.

After WCW’s decline, Hogan returned to WWE and shared an iconic WrestleMania match with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He later joined TNA Wrestling but saw limited success.

Despite a Hall of Fame career, Hogan’s legacy took a hit in 2015 after a leaked sex tape revealed him using racist language. WWE terminated its relationship with him at the time, though he later returned in a limited capacity. His apology drew mixed reactions from peers and fans, some of whom never forgave the remarks.

Outside the ring, Hogan starred in movies, a cartoon series, and a reality show, “Hogan Knows Best.” His influence extended into politics, most recently with a surprise appearance at the 2024 Republican National Convention, publicly endorsing Donald Trump.

Hogan was set to launch “Real American Freestyle,” a wrestling promotion centered on amateur-style competition, before his death. The company mourned the loss of its founding commissioner, calling him “one of wrestling’s greatest champions, in spirit and legacy.”

Tributes poured in from across the political and wrestling world, including from Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Once the poster boy for Hulkamania, Hogan leaves behind a complicated legacy—one marked by fame, controversy, reinvention, and undeniable cultural impact.