Hulk Hogan Dead at 71: WWE Icon’s Death Shakes the World

Hulk Hogan

In a heartbreaking turn of events that has stunned the wrestling world and global pop culture fans alike, Hulk Hogan, the iconic WWE superstar and cultural phenomenon, has died at the age of 71. Hogan, born Terry Eugene Bollea, passed away following cardiac arrest at his Florida home, just days after undergoing a major spinal operation. Despite earlier reports assuring fans of his recovery, the wrestling legend’s condition took a fatal turn.

For millions across generations, Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler he was a movement. Known for his golden handlebar mustache, signature red-and-yellow gear, and the thunderous chant “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”, Hogan was a trailblazer in sports entertainment.

Debuting in the late 1970s and rising to stardom in the 1980s, Hogan became the face of WWE (then WWF), transforming wrestling into mainstream entertainment. His battles with the likes of Andre the Giant, Ultimate Warrior, and Randy “Macho Man” Savage are the stuff of legends. Hogan helped launch WrestleMania and made professional wrestling a global phenomenon.

Hulk Hogan had been battling various health complications in recent years, many of them stemming from decades of physically demanding performances in the ring. He underwent a complex four-level cervical spinal fusion surgery just weeks ago. While close friends and family initially denied rumors of critical illness, Hogan’s condition reportedly deteriorated rapidly.

According to official reports, he suffered cardiac arrest at home and was rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Emergency services responded quickly, but the damage was irreversible.

Tributes have poured in from across the wrestling community, entertainment industry, and even political figures:

• WWE released a heartfelt statement, calling Hogan “a titan of charisma and strength” whose “larger-than-life presence transformed wrestling and inspired millions.”

• Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who shared the screen and ring with Hogan, wrote, “You paved the way for all of us. Rest easy, brother.”

• Fans gathered outside WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando and Hogan’s beachfront restaurant in Clearwater to lay flowers, light candles, and celebrate the life of their hero.

While Hogan’s legacy is overwhelmingly positive, his life was not without controversy. From legal battles, reality TV drama, and a well-publicized lawsuit with Gawker Media, he remained a complicated, multifaceted figure in the public eye. However, nothing overshadowed the impact he had on the world of wrestling.

Hogan was:

• A six-time WWE Champion

• A Hall of Famer inducted in 2005

• The face of WrestleMania I, II, III and countless legendary matches

• One of the first wrestlers to cross into mainstream TV and film, starring in Thunder in Paradise and Mr. Nanny

• A mentor and role model for emerging wrestling talent globally

Even amid controversies, Hogan remained a symbol of an era when wrestling was at its most electric and he often served as its lightning rod.

Behind the flexed muscles and intense persona was Terry Bollea, a father, musician, businessman, and philanthropist. He often spoke of his struggles with fame, family, and health offering glimpses into the man behind the myth. In recent years, Hogan had been open about his medical challenges, undergoing numerous surgeries and speaking about pain management and aging.

Despite hardships, Hogan continued to make public appearances, offer motivational messages to fans, and remained a beloved figure at wrestling conventions and WWE specials.

• WWE is planning a special tribute episode of RAW and SmackDown, dedicating matches and video packages to Hogan’s legacy.

• A public memorial service is expected to be held in Clearwater, Florida, with thousands of fans anticipated to attend.

• The Hogan family has requested privacy, thanking fans for the outpouring of support and asking for donations in lieu of flowers to children’s hospitals—one of Hogan’s longtime philanthropic causes.

The bell tolls for Hulk Hogan, but the echoes of Hulkamania will never fade. His legacy lives on in every wrestling ring, every thunderous arena chant, and every dreamer who believed they, too, could body-slam giants.

As Hogan himself once said:

“Train, say your prayers, eat your vitamins, believe in yourself.”

Rest in power, Hulk Hogan. Wrestling will never be the same without you.