Hulk Hogan, the larger-than-life wrestling legend who turned professional wrestling into a global spectacle, has died at the age of 71. He passed away on Thursday morning after suffering cardiac arrest in Clearwater, Florida.
Authorities confirmed there were no signs of foul play. Hogan was pronounced dead at a local hospital. WWE later expressed its sadness, calling Hogan one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures.
Born Terry Bollea, Hogan was more than just a wrestler. He was a cultural icon who defined the golden era of wrestling in the 1980s. From the first WrestleMania to packed stadiums, he helped make WWE a household name.
Hogan’s rise to fame began in 1985. He starred alongside Mr. T in the first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden. That match drew over a million viewers and changed wrestling forever.
Two years later, Hogan’s legendary bout with Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III drew 80,000 fans. Their rematch on NBC pulled in 33 million viewers, the highest in wrestling history. Hogan’s charisma and unmatched presence became wrestling’s heartbeat.
He won six WWE titles and held the championship for 1,474 days in one reign. That was a record beaten only by Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund. Hogan was the hero of his time, loved by millions.
In 1996, Hogan shocked fans by becoming a villain. He led the New World Order in WCW, trading his red and yellow gear for black and white. It sparked a ratings war and reinvigorated wrestling’s edge during the ‘90s.
His return to WWE in 2002 to face The Rock showed how much fans still loved him. More than 68,000 fans in Toronto cheered his name. He was later inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Outside the ring, Hogan’s life was not without controversy. He faced backlash for racist remarks and was removed from WWE before returning years later. A legal battle over a leaked sex tape ended with a $115 million settlement.
Hogan’s death marks the end of a wrestling era. From main event hero to wrestling’s most infamous heel, his story was unforgettable.
