Wresting Icon Hulk Hogan Dies At 71

Wresting Icon Hulk Hogan Dies At 71

Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan is dead. He was aged 71.

Emergency responders rushed to his Clearwater, Florida home early Thursday morning following reports of a cardiac arrest.

Witnesses at the scene observed multiple police and EMT vehicles, and Hogan was seen being carried out on a stretcher and placed into an ambulance.

Just weeks prior, his wife Sky had publicly denied rumors that the wrestling legend was in a coma, assuring fans that his heart remained strong and that he was recovering well from recent surgical procedures.

Born Terry Bollea, Hulk Hogan was instrumental in turning professional wrestling into a global spectacle. Before his rise to fame, wrestling had a more niche following. With his charisma, larger-than-life persona, and family-friendly appeal, Hogan became the face of the WWE in the 1980s and drew in millions of fans – adults and children alike.

In 1996, Hogan famously reinvented himself by switching from fan favorite to villain, forming the legendary New World Order (NWO) faction and adopting the moniker “Hollywood Hogan.” The move reinvigorated his career and propelled wrestling to new heights.

Hogan was first inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. However, he was removed in 2015 following the leak of a secretly recorded tape in which he made racist remarks. He later sued the now-defunct media outlet Gawker over the footage and won a high-profile legal battle. WWE reinstated him in 2020 with a second Hall of Fame induction — this time as a member of the NWO.

Beyond the ring, Hogan made a notable mark in Hollywood. His acting career began in 1982 with a memorable role as Thunderlips in Rocky III. He went on to star in movies such as No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny. He also found reality TV fame in the 2000s with Hogan Knows Best, a VH1 series that followed the lives of his family — wife Linda and their children, Nick and Brooke.

Hulk Hogan’s legacy, both as a wrestling pioneer and pop culture icon, leaves an indelible mark on the world of sports entertainment.