Florida authorities have opened a medical investigation into the death of professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan.
The WWE Hall of Famer, born Terry Bollea, passed away on Thursday morning (July 24) at the age of 71 at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida, after paramedics were dispatched to his home in response to a medical emergency.
Emergency crews reportedly spent over an hour attempting to save his life. TMZ reported that the initial call was for cardiac arrest, with multiple police vehicles and EMTs responding to the scene.
Major Nate Burnside of the Clearwater Police Department confirmed during a press briefing: “The Clearwater Police Department is conducting a medical investigation, which is standard in these types of cases. There are no signs of foul play or suspicious activity related to this call for service at this time," per Express.
He detailed the timeline of events: “Just before 10 AM, Clearwater Police Department responded to a house in the 1000 block of El Dorado Avenue for a medical related call. It was discovered at that time that Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was experiencing a serious medical-related issue. Personnel provided medical treatment at that time and transported Mr. Bollea to Morton Plant Hospital, where he died at 11:17 AM."
WWE confirmed Hogan's death on social media, stating: “WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture's most recognisable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans."
Tributes poured in from the wrestling world and beyond. Former WWE CEO Vince McMahon shared a post on X, which read: “The world lost a treasure today. Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world.
"He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved," he said, concluding the post with Hogan’s iconic mantra: “Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers.”
Fellow wrestling legends also paid tribute. The Undertaker said: “The wrestling world has lost a true legend. His contributions to our business are immeasurable, and for that, I am appreciative. Thank you, Hulk Hogan.”
Ric Flair, a longtime rival and friend, also posted: “I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan!... Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business.
"An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn’t Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside," he said. "Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!”
President Trump, also a longtime friend of Hogan, wrote on Truth Social: “We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster.’ Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way - Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart… Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!”
Hogan had been struggling with serious health issues in the months leading up to his death.
Following a four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in June, his wife Sky Daily revealed he was recovering from an “intense surgery with a long and layered healing process,” noting that it had affected his vocal cords and required breathing and feeding tubes.
In February 2023, Hogan was seen using a walking stick, and Kurt Angle later revealed the wrestling icon had lost sensation in his legs. Close friend and longtime manager Jimmy Hart had reassured fans just two days before Hogan’s death, posting on X: “Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal!”
Hogan transformed professional wrestling into mainstream entertainment.
Towering at 6’7", with his signature blond hair, mustache, and bandana, the late star became the face of the WWF in the 1980s, headlining events like WrestleMania III and battling legends like André the Giant.
His turn as “Hollywood” Hogan in WCW in the mid-1990s helped launch the New World Order (NWO) and ushered in the “Monday Night Wars,” revolutionizing the industry again.
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice - once in 2005 as an individual and again in 2020 with the NWO.
Although a 2015 scandal involving a leaked tape of him using racist language briefly severed ties with WWE, his impact on professional wrestling endured, and he was reinstated into the Hall of Fame in 2018.