Hulk Hogan - aka Terry Gene Bollea - has tragically passed away at the age of 71.
News of the WWE Hall of Famer's death was first reported by TMZ.
According to TMZ Sports, emergency crews were dispatched to the WWE Hall of Famer’s Clearwater, Florida home early Thursday morning after a cardiac arrest call.
According to authorities, multiple police vehicles and EMTs were seen outside the residence, with Hogan transported from the scene on a stretcher and taken by ambulance.
WWE has since confirmed the news on social media, writing in a tribute: "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away.
"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."
Hulk Hogan: Wrestling’s Ultimate Icon
Born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, Hulk Hogan became one of the most recognizable and transformative figures in professional wrestling history.
Towering at 6’7” with his trademark blond hair, handlebar mustache and bandana, Hogan redefined what it meant to be a professional wrestling superstar — elevating the sport from regional circuits into a global entertainment juggernaut.
Hogan burst onto the national scene in the early 1980s with the then-WWF (now WWE), capturing imaginations with his larger-than-life persona and signature catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do, brother?”
Thanks to guidance from former chairman Vince McMahon, Hogan's feuds with icons like André the Giant, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and The Ultimate Warrior became the backbone of the WWF’s success during its boom years, with WrestleMania III — where he famously body-slammed André — becoming one of the most significant moment's in the history of the industry.
His initial reigns as WWF Champion made him the face of the company, turning him into a mainstream sensation and merchandising powerhouse.
Hogan's crossover appeal led to numerous film and television roles, solidifying his status beyond the wrestling world.
In 1996, Hogan shocked fans by turning heel for the first time in decades, reinventing himself as “Hollywood” Hogan and co-founding the villainous faction New World Order (NWO) in WCW after defecting to the WWF's rivals.
The move reinvigorated his career and helped WCW dominate ratings during the infamous Monday Night Wars.
Over the course of his storied career, Hogan held multiple world championships across WWE and WCW, headlined countless pay-per-view events, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice — first in 2005 as an individual, and again in 2020 as part of the NWO.
Throughout his career, Hogan became a 12-time world champion, winning both the WWF/E championship and WCW championship six times each. He is also a two-time Royal Rumble winner.
Controversies in later life
Hulk Hogan’s legacy was significantly tarnished in 2015 when a leaked tape revealed him using racist language, including repeated use of the N-word, while referring to his daughter’s then-boyfriend.
The recording, secretly captured during a sexual encounter, was published by Gawker Media and sparked immediate backlash. WWE severed ties with Hogan, removing him from its Hall of Fame and scrubbing his presence from official platforms. Hogan later apologized publicly, calling his comments “unacceptable” and “not who I am,” but the fallout was widespread. He sued Gawker for invasion of privacy and was awarded a $140 million settlement, which ultimately led to the company's bankruptcy. Though reinstated to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018, the scandal remains a deeply controversial chapter in Hogan’s career.
But despite controversies later in life, Hogan’s contributions to professional wrestling are undeniable.
For many "Hulkamanics", he wasn’t just the face of a company — he was the face of an era. Hulkamania wasn’t just a slogan. It was a movement that forever changed the industry.
Our thoughts go out to Hogan's family, friends, and fans at this time.
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