On Thursday morning, the world of wrestling lost a giant, Hulk Hogan, who died at 71 in his Clearwater, Florida home from a cardiac arrest. First responders were called to his home, where video showed the police and EMTs, and he was wheeled away by stretcher. Fans all over the world were stunned.

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) expressed its condolences on X about Hogan’s death, calling him a pop culture legend who helped turn the WWE into a household name in the 1980s and beyond. They offered their condolences to his family, friends and the millions of fans.

Hogan (Terry Gene Bollea) was born in August 1953 in Augusta, Georgia, but grew up in Port Tampa, Florida. Starting as a teenager, he developed a passion for wrestling and turned pro in 1977. He began to be called “Hulk” because of his larger-than-life persona, and when he donned the red and yellow clothing, his fame was born.

The legendary wrestler captured six WWE titles and headlined events with over 93,173 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome for WrestleMania III. When he beat The Iron Sheik in 1984 for the WWE Championship, his patriotic “Real American” character became a global persona, and there was no stopping him. He headlined the first WrestleMania and even had an appearance on Saturday Night Live.

Hogan’s rivalries with wrestlers like “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, King Kong Bundy, and Ultimate Warrior created unforgettable all-time WWE moments. Even today, fans are still captivated by Hogan’s match against Andre the Giant on The Main Event in 1988. Hogan also made history by being the first wrestler to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches in 1990 and 1991.

When Hogan joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1993, he won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship six times as well as the longest reign. At WCW, he also took on a darker persona as “Hollywood Hogan” while also leading the New World Order group.

Hogan returned to WWE in 2002 after WWE acquired WCW, where he won the Undisputed WWF Championship for a sixth time before leaving the promotion in 2003. In 2005, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and again in 2020 as part of the New World Order.

With his wrestling neither here nor there, Hogan ventured into acting, the first index role being Rocky III in 1982. Hogan also starred in films such as No Holds Barred in 1989 and Suburban Commando in 1991. He appeared on Hogan Knows Best and Thunder in Paradise (TV shows). During his personal life, he had two kids, named Brooke and Nick, with Linda, with whom he was formerly married. After his marriage with Jennifer McDaniel, he remarried Sky Daily, who remains his widow.

Also Read: Shocking Scam: Doctor Amputates Own Legs For Insurance Payout

Just a few months before his death, Hogan underwent a major heart surgery. Rumors about his health were lately put in the trash by the wife of Hogan, Sky, who insisted that Hogan’s heart is strong and denied all rumors that Hogan was in a coma. The legacy of Hogan as a wrestling pioneer, entertainer, and cultural icon shall live in the hearts of fans forever.

Share

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•