Professional wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71, according to a breaking report by TMZ Sports. Emergency services responded to a cardiac arrest call at Hogan’s residence in Clearwater, Florida, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Eyewitnesses reported multiple police and EMT units at the scene. Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, was seen being placed on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance, according to sources on site.
Recent Health Rumors Denied by Family
Hogan’s sudden passing comes just weeks after his wife, Sky Daily Hogan, refuted online rumors claiming the WWE star was in a coma. At the time, she insisted that her husband’s heart was strong and that he was recovering well from recent surgical procedures.
Hulk Hogan: The Man Who Made Wrestling Mainstream
Born in 1953, Terry Bollea revolutionized professional wrestling during the 1980s. As Hulk Hogan, he became the face of WWE, transforming the sport into a global entertainment juggernaut with his larger-than-life persona, catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do, brother?” and appeal to both kids and adults.
Hogan’s charisma helped turn WWE events into must-watch spectacles, especially WrestleMania, where he headlined the first edition in 1985 and many others throughout the decade.
From Hero to Villain: The NWO Era
In 1996, Hogan stunned fans by turning heel (villain) and founding the New World Order (NWO) in WCW, adopting the name Hollywood Hogan. The bold reinvention reignited his career and played a major role in the “Monday Night Wars” era that brought pro wrestling to new mainstream heights.
WWE Hall of Fame Inductions and Controversy
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, but his legacy was briefly tainted in 2015 when a private tape surfaced, revealing racist comments. WWE removed him from its Hall of Fame and severed ties temporarily. Hogan later sued the media outlet Gawker over the video’s release and won a high-profile settlement.
He was reinstated in 2020 and received a second Hall of Fame induction — this time as part of the legendary NWO faction.
A Pop Culture Fixture
Outside the ring, Hogan also enjoyed success in Hollywood, appearing as Thunderlips in Rocky III (1982) and starring in movies like Mr. Nanny, Suburban Commando, and No Holds Barred. In the 2000s, he embraced reality TV with VH1’s Hogan Knows Best, which followed the lives of his then-wife Linda Hogan and their children Brooke and Nick Hogan.
An Unforgettable Legacy
Hulk Hogan’s impact on wrestling and popular culture is immeasurable. From body-slamming giants like Andre the Giant to helping usher in the “Attitude Era” with his bold heel turn, Hogan remains one of the most recognizable figures in sports entertainment history.
Tributes are pouring in across the wrestling world as fans, colleagues, and fellow legends remember a man who redefined an industry and inspired generations.
