CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Hulk Hogan, the iconic figure of professional wrestling who wore a headscarf, had a mustache, and had a toned biceps, made the sport a huge industry, and extended his cultural impact well beyond the ring, passed away in Florida Thursday at the age of 71.
Less than 90 minutes after Clearwater medics responded to a call about a cardiac arrest in the morning, Hogan was declared dead at a hospital, according to authorities.
Maj. Nate Burnside informed reporters that no indications of suspicious activity or foul play were present.
Perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s lengthy history was Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea. From Andre the Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even WWE co-founder Vince McMahon, he was the primary attraction at the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985 and remained a mainstay for years.
In 2005, Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame after winning at least six WWE titles. Professional sports venues now host WWE contests, and the company’s weekly live television program, Raw, which launched on Netflix in January, has amassed millions of viewers.
McMahon described Hogan as a pathfinder, the first artist to go from being a wrestling star to a worldwide sensation.
Hogan s own brand of passion
The energy he generated, known as “Hulkamania,” began to take off in the middle of the 1980s and propelled professional wrestling into the public eye. With his red and yellow outfit, horseshoe mustache, and enormous arms he dubbed his 24-inch pythons, he was a flag-waving American hero. When he made his usual move of ripping off his T-shirt in the ring to display a tan, toned torso, the crowds went into a frenzy.
Outside of the world of professional wrestling, Hogan was also a well-known figure, having starred in a number of films and television series, notably Hogan Knows Best, a reality show on VH1.
Hogan has been incorporating his fame into politics in recent years. He fervently supported Donald Trump for president at the 2024 Republican National Convention by fusing his rhetoric with traditional WWE moves.
Brother, let Trumpamania run wild! Restore Trumpamania to power! Allow Trumpamania to restore America’s greatness! Hogan yelled into the boisterous assembly.
He pulled a bright red Trump-Vance campaign shirt off a T-shirt that had an image of him riding a motorcycle. Trump cheered the action from his feet.
Trump tweeted on Truth Social Thursday, “We lost a great friend today, the Hulkster.” The entire time, Hulk Hogan was insane. Smart, rugged, and strong, but most importantly, kind.
In April, Hogan announced plans to become the first commissioner of the Real American Freestyle organization, which bills itself as one of the world’s first unscripted professional wrestling organizations. Hogan has recently started to invest in alternatives to theatrical professional wrestling. Cleveland State University will host the first event on August 30.
“I get to be involved with all these young people and help guide them in any way, especially to make them huge stars and create a future for them,” Hogan said, adding that the idea was very exciting. It may surprise some, but, dude, wrestling is wrestling.
Broken leg and a new attitude
Despite being born in Georgia, Hogan spent a large portion of his life in the Tampa, Florida, area. He remembered missing class to see wrestlers at Tampa’s professional wrestling studio, Sportatorium.
In 2021, Hogan told the Tampa Bay Times, “I had been running my mouth, telling everybody I’m going to be a wrestler, and in a small town, the word gets out.” They were therefore keeping quiet for me when I went down there. They worked me out till I felt like passing out.
The outcome was a broken leg and a warning from his father.
Hogan remembered his father saying, “Never allow anyone to hurt you again.” So, four or five months later, I returned with a completely different mindset. The rest is history.
In 1984, Hogan won his first title in the World Wrestling Federation, and pro wrestling quickly gained popularity. Because of his success, the annual WrestleMania event was created in 1985. In the main event, he and Mr. T defeated Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff and Rowdy Roddy Piper.
At WrestleMania III in 1987, he slammed and defeated Andre the Giant, and the WWF took off. Pro wrestling was further advanced by his fight with the late Macho Man Randy Savage, who was arguably his fiercest opponent.
One of the main players in the so-called Monday Night Wars was Hogan. In 1996, World Championship Wrestling and the WWE were competing for the highest ratings. By creating the Hollywood Hogan character and the New World Order, a villainous stable that helped WCW outperform the ratings, Hogan swung the odds in WCW’s favor.
In 2002, he rejoined the WWE and won another title. It was viewed as a passing of the torch when he lost to The Rock at WrestleMania X8, when fans applauded his villainous persona.
Perhaps even more well-known than his in-ring heroics was Hogan’s extravagant personality. He was well-liked for the hype sessions and promotions he utilized to get supporters to games. “Well, let me tell ya something, Mean Gene!” was a common opening line he used to mock his interviewer, Mean Gene Okerlund.
Outside the ring
He also ventured into television and film. He played Thunderlips in the 1982 film Rocky III.
In a 2016 case against Gawker Media, a Florida jury gave Hogan $115 million, plus an additional $25 million in punitive penalties. After Gawker shared a video of him having sex with the wife of his former best friend in 2012, Hogan filed a lawsuit. He claimed his privacy was invaded by the post.
Outside the court case, however, there were additional repercussions. After it was revealed that Hogan had uttered racial epithets on the recording, WWE temporarily severed their relationship with him. Hogan expressed regret and stated his remarks were inappropriate.
Hogan wore black and grinned during the three-week trial.
Regarding the love from supporters, he stated, “Everywhere I go, people treat me like I’m still the champ.”
By Ed White and Curt Anderson
