Wrestling icon dies at 71 after decades of unforgettable moments in the ring—fans everywhere are mourning
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The entertainment world is in mourning as fans and fellow performers alike reflect on a name once synonymous with a cultural phenomenon.
For years, he dominated television screens, pay-per-view arenas, and even political rallies. Known for his catchphrases, charisma, and controversies, his story spanned generations and headlines.
His death has sparked renewed attention on a decades-long career filled with victories, reinventions, and moments that shaped the industry he helped elevate. But not all memories are simple ones—and the legacy he leaves behind is a complicated mix of adoration and accountability.
If you watched any professional wrestling in the 1980s or 1990s, chances are you saw him rip a shirt in half, flex his famed “24-inch pythons,” or rally a crowd with patriotic fervor.
Hulk Hogan, born as Terry Bollea, wasn’t just a character—he was the engine that drove wrestling from backroom events to sold-out stadiums. Fans knew him for his gear, his signature mustache, and his larger-than-life persona.
But behind the showmanship was a sharp instinct for branding, one that helped birth WrestleMania and turn it into a global spectacle.
His character evolved with the times. While many admired his all-American image, complete with red and yellow attire, it was his villainous turn in the late 1990s that reignited his career.
He transformed into “Hollywood” during the height of the Monday Night Wars between WWE and WCW, co-founding the rebellious New World Order. This move helped WCW briefly dominate TV ratings in a fierce industry rivalry.
His return to WWE in the early 2000s brought yet another wave of popularity, highlighted by his acclaimed match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8.
Even in loss, the crowd’s overwhelming cheers proved his relevance hadn’t faded.
His fame wasn’t contained to the wrestling ring. He crossed over into acting with roles in movies like Rocky III, where he played the hulking “Thunderlips.”
He also starred in a hit reality show, Hogan Knows Best, offering a glimpse into his family life and helping him reach new audiences. But his media presence was eventually overshadowed by scandal.
In 2012, a private video was leaked and published without his consent. He sued the outlet responsible and won a total of $140 million in damages, including punitive awards.
The lawsuit eventually led to the bankruptcy of Gawker Media.
Source: NBC News / YouTube
The tape also revealed him using racial slurs—a revelation that led to swift consequences. In 2015, WWE cut all ties with him and removed him from its Hall of Fame.
He later apologized, saying his comments were “unacceptable.”
In 2018, WWE reinstated him into the Hall, but the controversy has never fully left his image. Mark Henry, a fellow WWE legend, described the situation as a “dark cloud” over his career, adding that redemption required effort Hogan hadn’t fully shown.
In the final years of his life, he found a new stage: politics. At the 2024 Republican National Convention, he stole the spotlight with a dramatic endorsement of Donald Trump.
Ripping off a T-shirt to reveal Trump-Vance campaign gear, he bellowed, “Let Trumpamania run wild brother!”His flair for performance found a new audience—and his longtime friend Donald Trump praised him as “strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.”
Even as his in-ring days ended, he looked toward the future of wrestling. Earlier this year, he announced plans to serve as the first commissioner for Real American Freestyle, a new league focused on unscripted wrestling.
He was deeply invested in mentoring younger talent, saying the idea of “creating a future for them” motivated him.
The league’s first event was already scheduled for August. The organization has vowed to honor his legacy.
Also read: Remembering Jim Marshall: Vikings icon and NFL iron man dies at 87
Born in Georgia and raised in Florida, his early life revolved around watching local matches at the Tampa Sportatorium.
He once recalled how, during his first tryout, trainers pushed him so hard he broke his leg.
Told by his father to never let that happen again, he returned months later with a new attitude—one that would ultimately launch his global career.
In 1984, he claimed his first title in what was then the World Wrestling Federation. He became a household name.
Also read: Gone too soon: Wrestling legend dies just weeks after final match
Despite the persona, close friends and fans often remembered him as down-to-earth and kind. One gym partner remembered him saying, “Cut the Hulk Hogan crap, call me Terry.”
He was known for generosity and connection, always making time for admirers.
He died following a cardiac arrest at his home in Florida, with no signs of foul play reported. He was pronounced dead at the hospital less than 90 minutes later.
Read next: This WWE legend's popular TV show cancelled shockingly soon—find out why!
Were you a Hulkamaniac? Did you ever see Hogan wrestle live, or do you have a favorite match or moment? How do you feel about his impact on wrestling and pop culture?
For years, he dominated television screens, pay-per-view arenas, and even political rallies. Known for his catchphrases, charisma, and controversies, his story spanned generations and headlines.
His death has sparked renewed attention on a decades-long career filled with victories, reinventions, and moments that shaped the industry he helped elevate. But not all memories are simple ones—and the legacy he leaves behind is a complicated mix of adoration and accountability.
If you watched any professional wrestling in the 1980s or 1990s, chances are you saw him rip a shirt in half, flex his famed “24-inch pythons,” or rally a crowd with patriotic fervor.
Hulk Hogan, born as Terry Bollea, wasn’t just a character—he was the engine that drove wrestling from backroom events to sold-out stadiums. Fans knew him for his gear, his signature mustache, and his larger-than-life persona.
But behind the showmanship was a sharp instinct for branding, one that helped birth WrestleMania and turn it into a global spectacle.
He became the face of the very first WrestleMania in 1985 and just two years later, stunned the world by slamming and defeating Andre the Giant in front of nearly 93,000 people. Image source: FOX 11 Los Angeles / YouTube
His character evolved with the times. While many admired his all-American image, complete with red and yellow attire, it was his villainous turn in the late 1990s that reignited his career.
He transformed into “Hollywood” during the height of the Monday Night Wars between WWE and WCW, co-founding the rebellious New World Order. This move helped WCW briefly dominate TV ratings in a fierce industry rivalry.
His return to WWE in the early 2000s brought yet another wave of popularity, highlighted by his acclaimed match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8.
Even in loss, the crowd’s overwhelming cheers proved his relevance hadn’t faded.
His fame wasn’t contained to the wrestling ring. He crossed over into acting with roles in movies like Rocky III, where he played the hulking “Thunderlips.”
He also starred in a hit reality show, Hogan Knows Best, offering a glimpse into his family life and helping him reach new audiences. But his media presence was eventually overshadowed by scandal.
In 2012, a private video was leaked and published without his consent. He sued the outlet responsible and won a total of $140 million in damages, including punitive awards.
The lawsuit eventually led to the bankruptcy of Gawker Media.
Source: NBC News / YouTube
The tape also revealed him using racial slurs—a revelation that led to swift consequences. In 2015, WWE cut all ties with him and removed him from its Hall of Fame.
He later apologized, saying his comments were “unacceptable.”
In 2018, WWE reinstated him into the Hall, but the controversy has never fully left his image. Mark Henry, a fellow WWE legend, described the situation as a “dark cloud” over his career, adding that redemption required effort Hogan hadn’t fully shown.
In the final years of his life, he found a new stage: politics. At the 2024 Republican National Convention, he stole the spotlight with a dramatic endorsement of Donald Trump.
Ripping off a T-shirt to reveal Trump-Vance campaign gear, he bellowed, “Let Trumpamania run wild brother!”His flair for performance found a new audience—and his longtime friend Donald Trump praised him as “strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.”
Even as his in-ring days ended, he looked toward the future of wrestling. Earlier this year, he announced plans to serve as the first commissioner for Real American Freestyle, a new league focused on unscripted wrestling.
He was deeply invested in mentoring younger talent, saying the idea of “creating a future for them” motivated him.
The league’s first event was already scheduled for August. The organization has vowed to honor his legacy.
Also read: Remembering Jim Marshall: Vikings icon and NFL iron man dies at 87
Born in Georgia and raised in Florida, his early life revolved around watching local matches at the Tampa Sportatorium.
He once recalled how, during his first tryout, trainers pushed him so hard he broke his leg.
Told by his father to never let that happen again, he returned months later with a new attitude—one that would ultimately launch his global career.
In 1984, he claimed his first title in what was then the World Wrestling Federation. He became a household name.
Also read: Gone too soon: Wrestling legend dies just weeks after final match
Despite the persona, close friends and fans often remembered him as down-to-earth and kind. One gym partner remembered him saying, “Cut the Hulk Hogan crap, call me Terry.”
He was known for generosity and connection, always making time for admirers.
He died following a cardiac arrest at his home in Florida, with no signs of foul play reported. He was pronounced dead at the hospital less than 90 minutes later.
Read next: This WWE legend's popular TV show cancelled shockingly soon—find out why!
