CLEARWATER, Fla. (BN24) — Hulk Hogan, the charismatic titan of professional wrestling who catapulted the sport into mainstream popularity and became a pop culture icon across generations, died Thursday in Florida at age 71 following a cardiac arrest.
Authorities confirmed that emergency medics responded to Hogan’s Clearwater home Thursday morning, and the wrestling legend—whose real name was Terry Bollea—was pronounced dead less than 90 minutes after arrival at a nearby hospital. Police said there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.
Hogan’s death marks the end of a towering era in professional wrestling. Known for his signature blond mustache, red-and-yellow attire, and the famous rallying cry “Hulkamania,” Hogan was the driving force behind the rise of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in the 1980s and ’90s. His star power launched the company’s first WrestleMania in 1985 and fueled decades of arena sellouts, television ratings, and pay-per-view records.
“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 faced wrestling legends like André the Giant, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, The Rock, and even McMahon himself, winning at least six WWE championships and earning a Hall of Fame induction in 2005.
His broad appeal stretched well beyond the ring. Hogan appeared in movies like Rocky III and starred in his own VH1 reality show, Hogan Knows Best. His larger-than-life charisma and theatrical bravado made him a beloved figure even among those who never watched wrestling.
In recent years, Hogan became active in conservative politics. At the 2024 Republican National Convention, he delivered a dramatic endorsement of President Donald Trump by fusing his iconic wrestling persona with campaign theatrics. Ripping off a shirt to reveal a red “Trump-Vance” campaign tee, Hogan roared, “Let Trumpamania run wild, brother!” to thunderous applause.
Trump responded to news of Hogan’s death with a tribute on Truth Social: “We lost a great friend today, the Hulkster. Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way—strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.”
Born in Georgia but raised in Florida, Hogan first encountered pro wrestling at Tampa’s Sportatorium and vowed to join the sport. After a punishing encounter with veteran wrestlers that left him with a broken leg, his father offered a stern warning: Don’t ever let anyone hurt you again. Hogan returned months later, determined—and never looked back.
He captured his first WWF championship in 1984 and helped usher in the inaugural WrestleMania the following year, teaming with Mr. T to defeat Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. He later body-slammed André the Giant at WrestleMania III, an iconic moment that symbolized pro wrestling’s surge into the mainstream.
His feud with Randy Savage, and later his transformation into the villainous “Hollywood Hogan” with the New World Order (NWO) in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), made him central to the Monday Night Wars, a ratings battle between WWE and WCW that reshaped the industry.
Hogan returned to WWE in 2002 and won a championship once again, proving his enduring popularity. His showdown with The Rock at WrestleMania X8—a match where fans cheered him despite his “heel” persona—remains one of wrestling’s most memorable moments.
He was also known for his electric interviews and “promos,” often beginning with his catchphrase: “Well, lemme tell ya something, Mean Gene!” in reference to interviewer Gene Okerlund.
But Hogan’s life outside the ring wasn’t without controversy. In 2016, a Florida jury awarded him $115 million in a privacy lawsuit against Gawker Media, which had published a sex tape involving Hogan and a friend’s wife. Though he prevailed in court, the scandal strained his relationship with WWE, which temporarily cut ties with him after reports surfaced that Hogan had used racial slurs in the tape. He publicly apologized, calling his language “unacceptable.”
In April, Hogan announced his newest venture: serving as the first commissioner of the Real American Freestyle organization, which markets itself as the world’s first “unscripted” pro wrestling league. Its debut event is scheduled for August 30 at Cleveland State University.
“The idea was so exciting—to guide a new generation of talent and help make them stars,” Hogan said at the time. “People might be surprised, but wrestling is wrestling, brother.”
Despite personal and professional setbacks, Hulk Hogan remained a revered figure in American pop culture—admired by fans who continued to see him as a symbol of strength, perseverance, and showmanship.
“Everywhere I show up, people treat me like I’m still the champ,” Hogan said during a 2016 court appearance, smiling at the outpouring of support.
He is survived by his children and a legacy that reshaped the landscape of professional wrestling—and entertainment—as we know it.
