Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan Passes Away at 71
The world of professional wrestling mourns the loss of its legendary figure, Hulk Hogan, who has passed away at the age of 71, as reported by TMZ Sports.
Emergency responders were summoned to Hogan’s residence in Clearwater, Florida, in the early hours of Thursday following reports of a “cardiac arrest” incident.
Eyewitnesses noted the presence of numerous police and EMT vehicles at the location, and Hogan was observed being transported from his home on a stretcher before being placed into an ambulance.
Merely weeks prior, Hogan’s wife, Sky, had publicly refuted online speculation suggesting that the WWE luminary was in a coma, assuring that his heart was “strong” and that he was recuperating well from recent surgical procedures.
Born Terry Bollea, Hulk Hogan played a pivotal role in transforming professional wrestling into a global phenomenon. Before his ascension to fame, the sport enjoyed a more limited following. With his magnetic charisma, larger-than-life persona, and family-friendly allure,
Hogan emerged as the emblematic face of the WWE during the 1980s, captivating millions of fans, both young and old.
In 1996, Hogan famously reinvented his image, transitioning from beloved hero to villain by founding the iconic New World Order (NWO) faction and adopting the alias “Hollywood Hogan.” This transformation revitalized his career and elevated wrestling to unprecedented heights.
Hogan was initially inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. However, he was expelled in 2015 after a secretly recorded tape surfaced in which he made racist comments. He subsequently sued the now-defunct media outlet Gawker over the footage and emerged victorious in a highly publicized legal battle.
WWE reinstated him in 2020 with a second Hall of Fame induction, this time as a member of the NWO.
Beyond the wrestling ring, Hogan made a significant impact in Hollywood. His acting career commenced in 1982 with a memorable portrayal of Thunderlips in Rocky III. He went on to star in films such as No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny. Hogan also achieved reality TV fame in the 2000s with Hogan Knows Best, a VH1 series chronicling the lives of his family — wife Linda and their children, Nick and Brooke.
