|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Terry Gene Bollea, better known around the world as Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 71. The iconic wrestler, actor, and cultural phenomenon passed away Thursday morning following a cardiac arrest, according to police and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Hogan was rushed to Morton Plant Hospital by emergency services, where he was later pronounced dead.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” the company said in a statement. “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.”
Clearwater Police Major Nate Burnside confirmed during a press briefing that there were no signs of foul play, though an investigation into Hogan’s death is ongoing.
A Larger-Than-Life Legacy
Hogan’s rise to fame began in 1977, but it was his explosive run in the 1980s with the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF) that transformed professional wrestling into a global entertainment juggernaut. With his yellow bandanas, signature leg drop, and 24-inch “pythons” (his famously bulging arms), Hogan became the face of wrestling during its golden era.
He was a six-time WWE Champion and a ten-time WrestleMania competitor, headlining eight of those events. His most memorable moments include his tag-team victory with Mr. T at the first-ever WrestleMania in 1985 and his iconic showdown with The Rock at WrestleMania X8 in 2002.
“Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” became one of the most enduring catchphrases in sports entertainment history.
More Than Just a Wrestler
Hogan’s charisma extended far beyond the ring. He became a household name through television and film appearances, starring in movies such as Rocky III, Mr. Nanny, and the series Thunder in Paradise. He hosted Saturday Night Live, appeared on The Tonight Show, and became a beloved pop culture figure.
His journey also included a transformative character turn in the 1990s, when he shocked fans by turning heel as “Hollywood Hogan” in WCW’s New World Order (NWO) faction, revitalizing the wrestling industry once again.
Scandals and Setbacks
Despite his monumental career, Hogan’s personal life was fraught with controversy. In the early 1990s, he testified during WWE Chairman Vince McMahon’s federal trial over anabolic steroid distribution. Hogan admitted to steroid use but denied receiving them from McMahon, who was later acquitted.
In 2012, Hogan sued media outlet Gawker for releasing a sex tape involving him and a friend’s wife. The court awarded him $140 million in damages, leading to Gawker’s bankruptcy. The lawsuit was later settled for $31 million.
The most serious public fallout came in 2015, when a leaked 2007 recording revealed Hogan using racist language. WWE cut ties with him, removing him from their Hall of Fame. Hogan later apologized, calling his comments “embarrassing” and “wrong,” and was reinstated in 2018.
A Final Public Moment
In what would be his final major public appearance, Hogan took the stage at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Tearing off his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance 2024 t-shirt, he endorsed his longtime friend, former President Donald Trump.
“Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart,” Trump said in a statement on Thursday. “He entertained fans from all over the world, and the cultural impact he had was massive.”
Personal Life and Farewell
Hogan was married three times. He is survived by his third wife, yoga instructor Sky Daily, whom he married in September 2023, and two children Brooke and Nick from his first marriage to Linda Bollea. He divorced his second wife, Jennifer McDaniel, in 2021.
He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice first in 2005 as an individual and again in 2020 as part of the NWO faction. In 2021, he co-hosted WrestleMania 37, proving that his influence on the industry was as powerful in retirement as it was in his prime.
The Immortal One Lives On
Though the lights have dimmed on Hulk Hogan’s in-ring theatrics, his legacy will never fade. Hogan was more than a wrestler he was a movement, a brand, and an icon who brought professional wrestling into mainstream consciousness and inspired generations of athletes and fans alike.
In the end, Hulkamania wasn’t just about strength or spectacle, it was about believing in something bigger, louder, and more colorful than life itself.
As he once said: “Say your prayers, eat your vitamins, and you will never go wrong.”
Rest in power, Hulkster.
Read Also: India great Kohli retires from Test cricket
