Hulk Hogan, Legendary WWE Champion, Dead at 71
Legendary professional wrestler Hulk Hogan has died at 71 from cardiac arrest. Known for revolutionizing wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s, Hogan’s impact on pop culture and sports entertainment remains unmatched. He leaves behind a legacy as one of the most influential figures in the history of pro wrestling.
Tampa, FL — Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, one of the most recognizable faces in professional wrestling history, has died at the age of 71. According to a statement from his family, Hogan passed away peacefully following cardiac arrest late Wednesday night. The news has left millions of fans around the world mourning the loss of the man who helped shape modern professional wrestling.
Born Terry Eugene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, Hogan rose to prominence in the 1980s as the face of Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). With his larger-than-life persona, trademark handlebar mustache, bandana, and catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”, Hogan became a pop culture phenomenon.
His meteoric rise coincided with the golden era of professional wrestling. He headlined eight of the first nine WrestleMania events, notably squaring off against legends such as André the Giant, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and The Ultimate Warrior. Hogan’s 1987 WrestleMania III match with André the Giant, where he body-slammed the 520-pound behemoth, remains one of the most iconic moments in sports entertainment history.
Beyond wrestling, Hogan found mainstream fame through film and television. He starred in movies like Suburban Commando and Mr. Nanny, and appeared in his own reality TV show, Hogan Knows Best, which ran from 2005 to 2007.
Hogan’s career also included a successful heel turn in the 1990s when he joined WCW (World Championship Wrestling) and helped form the notorious New World Order (nWo), rejuvenating his career and forever changing the wrestling landscape. The shift not only extended his time in the spotlight but also marked a turning point in how characters were portrayed in the industry.
Despite a series of controversies in the 2010s including a legal battle with Gawker Media and a temporary ban from WWE due to leaked tapes, Hogan remained a beloved figure among many fans. He was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018 and continued to make occasional appearances at wrestling events and fan conventions.
In his later years, Hogan battled numerous health issues, undergoing multiple back and knee surgeries. Yet he remained positive, often speaking about his faith, family, and enduring love for the fans who supported him throughout decades of ups and downs.
WWE released an official statement shortly after the news broke, honoring Hogan as “a global icon, a Hall of Famer, and a hero to millions of Hulkamaniacs around the world.”
He is survived by his children, Brooke and Nick Hogan, and his wife Sky Daily, whom he married in 2023.
Hulk Hogan’s legacy will live on not only in the ring but also in the hearts of generations who grew up watching him train, say their prayers, and take their vitamins. He wasn’t just a wrestler; he was a movement. Hulkamania may have started in the '80s, but its energy will never die.
Rest in power, Hulkster.
