ALBAWABA- Wrestling legend and global pop culture icon Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71, marking the end of one of the most influential careers in professional wrestling history.
Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hogan passed away early Thursday morning at his home in Clearwater, Florida, following a cardiac arrest.
Hogan rose to superstardom in the 1980s, transforming the landscape of professional wrestling with his charismatic presence, unmatched showmanship, and signature catchphrase.
Donning his iconic yellow and red attire, Hogan became the face of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) after joining in 1983. Under the direction of Vince McMahon, Hogan's all-American persona and raw strength helped launch wrestling from a niche regional sport into a global entertainment phenomenon.
His 1984 championship victory over The Iron Sheik ignited the “Hulkamania” craze, with Hogan holding the title for a then-record 1,474 days.
Perhaps his most legendary moment came at WrestleMania III in 1987, where he body-slammed the 520-pound André the Giant before over 93,000 fans in what remains one of the most iconic events in wrestling history.
In a bold career pivot, Hogan shocked fans in 1996 by turning heel and forming the New World Order (nWo) with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall in World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
This move not only revitalized his career but helped usher in a new, edgier era of pro wrestling. Hogan would later be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, once individually in 2005 and again in 2020 as a member of nWo.
Hogan’s appeal extended well beyond the ring. He starred in Hollywood films like Rocky III (1982), No Holds Barred (1989), and Suburban Commando (1991). In the 2000s, he became a reality TV star with VH1’s "Hogan Knows Best", which offered fans a glimpse into his family life and further cemented his status as a pop culture fixture.
His personal life, however, was often marred by public controversy. Hogan was married three times, most recently to Sky Daily in 2023.
In 2015, he was removed from the WWE Hall of Fame after a leaked transcript revealed racist remarks. He later won a major lawsuit against Gawker Media for publishing a sex tape and was eventually reinstated into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
Even in recent years, Hogan stayed active in public life. He appeared at the 2024 Republican National Convention, launched a new amateur wrestling league called Real American Freestyle, and continued to engage with fans and media.
