Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71: Remembering the Icon Behind Hulkamania

The wrestling world has lost a legend. Hulk Hogan, the headband-wearing, muscle-flexing titan who helped catapult pro wrestling into a global phenomenon died Thursday at the age of 71 in Florida. Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was rushed to the hospital after suffering cardiac arrest at his Clearwater home. He was pronounced dead less than 90 minutes later. Authorities confirmed there were no signs of foul play.

Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler, he was a cultural force. From body-slamming Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III to his signature shirt-ripping entrances, Hogan made “Hulkamania” a household word in the 1980s and beyond. His red and yellow ring gear, horseshoe mustache, and iconic 24-inch pythons became symbols of strength, patriotism, and larger-than-life entertainment.

“He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon,” said WWE co-founder Vince McMahon.

Hogan’s impact on WWE is immeasurable. He was the main event in the very first WrestleMania in 1985 and became a central figure in the WWE vs. WCW “Monday Night Wars” of the 1990s. His transformation into “Hollywood Hogan” and co-founding of the villainous New World Order helped WCW take a dominant lead in wrestling ratings during that era.

He officially returned to WWE in 2002, engaging in memorable battles, including a legendary showdown with The Rock at WrestleMania X8. Despite turning heel, fans still roared for the Hulkster.

Off the mat, Hogan was just as recognizable. He appeared in films like Rocky III and starred in his own VH1 reality series, Hogan Knows Best. He even made waves in politics, rallying behind Donald Trump with his trademark flair at the 2024 Republican National Convention, shouting, “Let Trumpamania run wild, brother!”

But his journey wasn’t without controversy. In 2015, WWE severed ties with Hogan after a leaked tape revealed him using racial slurs. Though he apologized and was eventually reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018, the scandal continued to cast a shadow. Former wrestler Mark Henry, who is Black, said Hogan failed to fully reconcile with the community.

Despite personal and legal battles including a high-profile lawsuit against Gawker Media over a leaked sex tape, Hogan continued to reinvent himself. Most recently, he was named commissioner of the Real American Freestyle organization, a new league aiming to bring unscripted authenticity to pro wrestling.

Born in Georgia and raised in Tampa, Hogan’s wrestling dreams began in a local gym where his first experience left him with a broken leg and a new resolve. His father’s advice? “Don’t you ever let anybody hurt you again.”

From then on, Terry Bollea became Hulk Hogan and wrestling was never the same.

As fans gathered outside Hogan’s Hangout, his restaurant in Clearwater Beach, memories flowed. Friend and fellow gym-goer Rich Null remembered, “Thirty minutes into our workout, he said, ‘Cut the Hulk Hogan crap, call me Terry.’ He was a super nice guy. We’re gonna miss him.”

Hulkamania may have started in the ring, but it lives on forever in the hearts of fans.