Clearwater, Florida – The world of professional wrestling and global pop culture is in mourning following the death of Hulk Hogan, the mustachioed, headscarf-wearing icon, at the age of 71.
Authorities in Clearwater, Florida, confirmed on Thursday that Terry Bollea, known globally as Hulk Hogan, was pronounced dead at a hospital after emergency services responded to a call regarding a cardiac arrest earlier that morning.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) also released a statement confirming the passing of their Hall of Famer, expressing profound sadness at the loss of one of their most recognizable and influential figures.
Before stepping into the wrestling ring, Bollea pursued a passion for music, playing fretless bass guitar in several Florida rock bands. His band, Ruckus, gained popularity in the Tampa Bay area, and he even dropped out of the University of South Florida to dedicate himself to music. His entry into wrestling was serendipitous: he was discovered at a gig by legendary wrestlers Jack and Gerald Brisco.
His journey into professional wrestling began with rigorous training under Hiro Matsuda, famously having his leg broken by Matsuda during his first training session – only to return ten weeks later, undeterred, to continue. He made his wrestling debut on August 10, 1977, against Brian Blair, initially wrestling under a mask as “The Super Destroyer.” He also teamed with Ed Leslie (later Brutus Beefcake) as the Boulder Brothers.
The name "Hulk" was adopted after a television appearance beside Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk), and Vince McMahon Sr. bestowed upon him the surname “Hogan,” though he notably refused McMahon’s suggestion to dye his hair red.
Hogan's WWF debut was in 1979 against Harry Valdez. His international appeal began to grow in Japan, where he adopted a different wrestling style, utilizing the "Axe Bomber" as his finisher, and earned the nickname “Ichiban,” meaning “Number One.” He was even the first winner of the original IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
On January 23, 1984, he famously beat Iron Sheik to win his first WWF title, a night Gorilla Monsoon declared, "Hulkamania is here!" Hogan introduced his iconic "demandments": "train, say your prayers, eat your vitamins." His 1,474-day reign remains the longest of the WrestleMania era. He slammed the 520-pound André the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987, a moment dubbed "the bodyslam heard around the world." He was also the first to win back-to-back Royal Rumbles (1990, 1991).
His rivalries were legendary, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage (forming The Mega Powers) to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon. His 1988 title loss to André was watched by 33 million viewers, holding the TV ratings record for wrestling. He won his second WWF title at WrestleMania V and became the first three-time WWF Champion at WrestleMania VII.
In 1996, Hogan made a groundbreaking heel turn, forming the nWo and becoming "Hollywood Hogan," a storyline that helped WCW beat WWF in ratings for 83 straight weeks. He was a six-time WCW Champion, holding the longest title reign in company history, and his match versus Sting at Starrcade 1997 was WCW’s biggest PPV ever. He notably wore all black for the first time on Nitro in 1995.
He returned to WWF in 2002 and famously fought The Rock at WrestleMania X8, where fans turned him face mid-match with deafening cheers. He went on to win the Undisputed WWE title at Backlash 2002 at age 48. In 2003, he wrestled as “Mr. America” with a mask and flag tights.
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 by Sylvester Stallone, and again in 2020 as a member of the nWo. His final WWE appearance was in 2025 at the Raw Netflix debut.
He had his own popular cartoon, "Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling," and his album "Hulk Rules" hit #12 on Billboard’s Top Kid Audio chart in 1995. He was the cover athlete for more than 15 wrestling video games, and his own game, "Hulk Hogan’s Main Event," was released in 2011. He also co-hosted "Saturday Night Live" with Mr. T in 1985 and hosted "American Gladiators" in 2008.
Hogan was the most requested celebrity of the 1980s for Make-A-Wish. He also voiced characters in "China, IL" and "Robot Chicken."
His reality television show, "Hogan Knows Best," on VH1 in the early 2000s, offered a glimpse into his family life, further cementing his status as a mainstream celebrity.
In recent years, Hogan remained active, co-founding Real American Freestyle in 2025 and serving as its commissioner. He also launched Real American Beer in 2024. In his personal life, he was baptized in December 2023 at Indian Rocks Baptist Church and married Sky Daily in September 2023.
Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, passed away on July 24, 2025, of cardiac arrest at home in Clearwater, Florida. He is survived by his wife and daughter, whose names he never publicly disclosed.
Hulk Hogan's journey from a wrestling ring to a global icon leaves behind a legacy defined by charisma, unparalleled popularity, and an indelible mark on both sports entertainment and popular culture. Rest easy, Hulkster. The prayers were said, the vitamins were taken, and the world heard you loud and clear. Hulkamania lives forever.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) also released a statement confirming the passing of their Hall of Famer, expressing profound sadness at the loss of one of their most recognizable and influential figures.
From Musician to Mat Legend: The Genesis of Hulkamania
Born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, Hogan grew up in Port Tampa, Florida, from the age of one and a half. He was of Italian, Panamanian, Scottish, and French descent. Today, as the world remembers this titan, we celebrate a life that transcended the ring, leaving an indelible mark on entertainment.Before stepping into the wrestling ring, Bollea pursued a passion for music, playing fretless bass guitar in several Florida rock bands. His band, Ruckus, gained popularity in the Tampa Bay area, and he even dropped out of the University of South Florida to dedicate himself to music. His entry into wrestling was serendipitous: he was discovered at a gig by legendary wrestlers Jack and Gerald Brisco.
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| Hulk Hogan |
The name "Hulk" was adopted after a television appearance beside Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk), and Vince McMahon Sr. bestowed upon him the surname “Hogan,” though he notably refused McMahon’s suggestion to dye his hair red.
Hogan's WWF debut was in 1979 against Harry Valdez. His international appeal began to grow in Japan, where he adopted a different wrestling style, utilizing the "Axe Bomber" as his finisher, and earned the nickname “Ichiban,” meaning “Number One.” He was even the first winner of the original IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
A Colossus of the Squared Circle: Hulk Hogan's Unparalleled Wrestling Legacy
Hulk Hogan was arguably the biggest star in WWE’s storied history, revolutionizing professional wrestling and cementing its place in mainstream entertainment. His charismatic persona and the "Hulkamania" phenomenon were central to WWE's global expansion in the 1980s. He was the undeniable main attraction for the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985.On January 23, 1984, he famously beat Iron Sheik to win his first WWF title, a night Gorilla Monsoon declared, "Hulkamania is here!" Hogan introduced his iconic "demandments": "train, say your prayers, eat your vitamins." His 1,474-day reign remains the longest of the WrestleMania era. He slammed the 520-pound André the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987, a moment dubbed "the bodyslam heard around the world." He was also the first to win back-to-back Royal Rumbles (1990, 1991).
His rivalries were legendary, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage (forming The Mega Powers) to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon. His 1988 title loss to André was watched by 33 million viewers, holding the TV ratings record for wrestling. He won his second WWF title at WrestleMania V and became the first three-time WWF Champion at WrestleMania VII.
In 1996, Hogan made a groundbreaking heel turn, forming the nWo and becoming "Hollywood Hogan," a storyline that helped WCW beat WWF in ratings for 83 straight weeks. He was a six-time WCW Champion, holding the longest title reign in company history, and his match versus Sting at Starrcade 1997 was WCW’s biggest PPV ever. He notably wore all black for the first time on Nitro in 1995.
He returned to WWF in 2002 and famously fought The Rock at WrestleMania X8, where fans turned him face mid-match with deafening cheers. He went on to win the Undisputed WWE title at Backlash 2002 at age 48. In 2003, he wrestled as “Mr. America” with a mask and flag tights.
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 by Sylvester Stallone, and again in 2020 as a member of the nWo. His final WWE appearance was in 2025 at the Raw Netflix debut.
Beyond the Ropes: A Mainstream Celebrity and Pop Culture Icon
Hulk Hogan's influence extended far beyond the wrestling world. He parlayed his wrestling fame into a successful career in movies and television. He starred as Thunderlips in the third “Rocky” film (1982), where he took on Sylvester Stallone's title character. His filmography also includes "No Holds Barred" (1989), "Suburban Commando" (1991), and "Mr. Nanny" (1993).He had his own popular cartoon, "Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling," and his album "Hulk Rules" hit #12 on Billboard’s Top Kid Audio chart in 1995. He was the cover athlete for more than 15 wrestling video games, and his own game, "Hulk Hogan’s Main Event," was released in 2011. He also co-hosted "Saturday Night Live" with Mr. T in 1985 and hosted "American Gladiators" in 2008.
Hogan was the most requested celebrity of the 1980s for Make-A-Wish. He also voiced characters in "China, IL" and "Robot Chicken."
His reality television show, "Hogan Knows Best," on VH1 in the early 2000s, offered a glimpse into his family life, further cementing his status as a mainstream celebrity.
In recent years, Hogan remained active, co-founding Real American Freestyle in 2025 and serving as its commissioner. He also launched Real American Beer in 2024. In his personal life, he was baptized in December 2023 at Indian Rocks Baptist Church and married Sky Daily in September 2023.
Navigating the Public Eye: Legal Battles and Personal Scrutiny
Hogan's highly public life was not without its challenges and intense scrutiny of intimate details. In 2016, he won a landmark sex tape lawsuit against Gawker Media. Hogan had sued after Gawker in 2012 posted a video of him having sex with his former best friend’s wife, contending that the publication violated his privacy. A Florida jury famously sided with Hogan, awarding him 115 million dollars in damages. This lawsuit had significant implications for media law, ultimately leading to Gawker Media's closure.Terry Bollea, The Man Behind Hulkamania, Passes Away at His Florida Home
The news of Hogan's passing prompted an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from the WWE community and fans worldwide. WWE posted a note on X (formerly Twitter), expressing their profound sadness: "One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans."Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, passed away on July 24, 2025, of cardiac arrest at home in Clearwater, Florida. He is survived by his wife and daughter, whose names he never publicly disclosed.
Hulk Hogan's journey from a wrestling ring to a global icon leaves behind a legacy defined by charisma, unparalleled popularity, and an indelible mark on both sports entertainment and popular culture. Rest easy, Hulkster. The prayers were said, the vitamins were taken, and the world heard you loud and clear. Hulkamania lives forever.
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