Wrestling Icon Hulk Hogan Passes Away at 71

Hulk Hogan Passes Away at 71

TMZ Sports has reported that wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71.

Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to Hogan’s residence in Clearwater, Florida, early Thursday due to a cardiac arrest incident.

Speculation about his declining health had surfaced recently when his wife, Skye, denied claims that he was in a coma. She emphasized that he was, in fact, mentally strong.

Hogan had undergone multiple surgeries recently, which led some outlets to report that he was “on his death bed” last month.

Few figures in professional wrestling, or even in sports overall, have had such a profound impact as Hulk Hogan. A representation of patriotism and resilience, he inspired countless fans—especially children—during the 1980s and 1990s, leaving a lasting impression on their notions of strength and morality.

During the peak of his career, his events attracted thousands of “Hulku-maniacs,” all sporting red and yellow attire emblazoned with his name. He played a pivotal role in wrestling’s narrative, even settling fictional conflicts like the Cold War in the ring.

In 1984, he triumphed over the trash-talking Iron Sheik to claim the heavyweight championship, a moment that’s forever etched in wrestling history. We can’t forget that iconic 1985 match where he defended his title, proudly draped in the stars and stripes.

In 1996, Hogan turned from hero to villain by founding a new faction called the nWo, adopting the persona of Hollywood Hulk Hogan. Yet, for those who grew up in the ’80s, seeing him as anything but a hero was pretty challenging.

He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, but a decade later, he was removed after racially charged comments surfaced from a leaked video. Hogan later took legal action against Gawker and returned to the Hall of Fame in 2020, this time as a member of the New World Order.

More recently, he made headlines for his conversion to Christianity at the age of 70. Additionally, his spirited endorsement of President Trump during the 2024 Republican National Convention also caught widespread attention.