WWE Legend’s Death Marks End of Era for Professional Wrestling
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died aged 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, on Thursday morning, marking the end of an era for professional wrestling.
The WWE icon, born Terry Gene Bollea, was found unresponsive early Thursday morning when emergency medical services were dispatched to his Florida residence. According to dispatch operators, the call was regarding a “cardiac arrest,” with multiple police vehicles and EMTs surrounding the property before a stretcher was seen being loaded into an ambulance.
The death comes just weeks after Hogan’s wife, Sky, had publicly denied rumours that the wrestling legend was in a coma, stating his heart was “strong” as he recovered from recent surgeries. In May, Hogan had undergone what his representatives described as a “little fusion procedure” on his neck, one of numerous health issues that had plagued the wrestler in recent years.
From Terry Bollea to Global Icon
Born on 11 August 1953 in Augusta, Georgia, Terry Gene Bollea would transform from a construction foreman’s son into one of the most recognisable figures in sports entertainment history. The youngest child of Pietro “Peter” Bollea and Ruth V. Bollea, a dance teacher, young Terry moved with his family to Port Tampa, Florida, during his childhood.
Before entering the wrestling world, Bollea showed promise as a baseball pitcher, attracting scouts from Major League Baseball teams including the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds during his teenage years. However, an arm injury ended his baseball aspirations, leading him to pursue music, playing bass guitar for Florida-based rock bands throughout the 1970s.
Hogan’s entry into professional wrestling came in 1977 after being noticed by wrestlers Jack and Gerald Brisco due to his imposing 6ft 7in frame. Training under the legendary Hiro Matsuda, who famously broke Hogan’s leg on his first day of training, Bollea earned his mentor’s respect by returning immediately after healing.
The Birth of Hulkamania
Hogan’s transformation into a household name began when he signed with the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) in December 1983. WWF owner Vince McMahon initially wanted him to adopt an Irish persona with red hair, but Bollea refused, declaring “I’ll be a blond Irish” instead.
On 23 January 1984, Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden to win his first WWF Championship, igniting the phenomenon known as “Hulkamania.” This victory launched the golden era of professional wrestling, with Hogan’s all-American hero persona captivating audiences worldwide.
The pinnacle of Hogan’s career arguably came at WrestleMania III on 29 March 1987, when he body-slammed the 520-pound André the Giant before a reported crowd of 93,173 at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan. The iconic moment, followed by Hogan’s signature leg drop for the victory, remains one of wrestling’s most replayed highlights.
Championship Legacy
Throughout his illustrious career, Hogan amassed an impressive collection of championships:
- Six-time WWF/WWE Champion
- Six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion
- First wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumbles (1990 and 1991)
- Original IWGP Heavyweight Champion
- WWE Tag Team Champion (with Edge)
His combined 1,474-day reign as WWF Champion from 1984-1988 stands as the fourth-longest in the title’s history, whilst his 469-day WCW World Heavyweight Championship reign from 1994-1995 remains the longest in that title’s history.
Hollywood and the nWo
In 1996, Hogan shocked the wrestling world by turning heel and becoming “Hollywood Hulk Hogan,” leading the villainous New World Order (nWo) stable in World Championship Wrestling. This character reinvention proved instrumental in WCW’s ratings war against WWF during the “Monday Night Wars” of the late 1990s.
The nWo angle revitalised Hogan’s career and demonstrated his ability to evolve with the changing landscape of professional wrestling. His eventual return to WWE in 2002 culminated in a dream match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8, bridging wrestling generations.
Beyond the Ring
Hogan’s influence extended far beyond wrestling. He appeared in numerous films, including a memorable role as Thunderlips in “Rocky III” (1982), and starred in movies such as “No Holds Barred” (1989) and “Suburban Commando” (1991). His reality television show “Hogan Knows Best” ran from 2005 to 2007, introducing him to a new generation of fans.
In 2005, Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, with a second induction in 2020 as part of the nWo. He had recently been serving as commissioner for Real American Freestyle, a new wrestling promotion he co-founded in April 2025.
Health Struggles
In recent years, Hogan had been open about his numerous health challenges. During a September 2024 appearance on the IMPAULSIVE podcast with Logan Paul, he revealed he had undergone approximately 25 surgeries over a ten-year period, including ten back surgeries, both knees and hips replaced, and multiple shoulder procedures.
“I’ve had like 25 surgeries in the last ten years. Ten of them were back surgeries,” Hogan told Paul. “I’ve had 10 back surgeries, both knees and both hips replaced, shoulders—everything.”
Wrestling Community Mourns
The wrestling world has begun paying tribute to the man who helped transform professional wrestling from a regional attraction into a global entertainment phenomenon. Hogan’s larger-than-life persona, trademark yellow and red attire, handlebar moustache, and signature bandanas made him instantly recognisable worldwide.
Wrestling historian Dave Meltzer once stated: “You can’t possibly overrate his significance in the history of the business. And he sold more tickets to wrestling shows than any man who ever lived.”
Hogan’s match with André the Giant at The Main Event on 5 February 1988 still holds American television records for wrestling viewership, drawing 33 million viewers and a 15.2 Nielsen rating.
Personal Life
Hogan was married three times, first to Linda Claridge from 1983 to 2009, with whom he had two children: daughter Brooke and son Nick. He later married Jennifer McDaniel from 2010 to 2021, before marrying Sky Daily in 2023.
Despite controversies that marked portions of his career, Hogan’s impact on professional wrestling and popular culture remains undeniable. He transformed wrestling from a niche sport into mainstream entertainment, paving the way for the industry’s current global reach.
As news of his passing spreads, fans worldwide are remembering the man who asked them one simple question: “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?
Terry Gene Bollea is survived by his wife Sky, daughter Brooke, and son Nick.
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