Gambiaj.com – (Clearwater, Florida) – Wrestling legend and pop culture icon Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, has died at the age of 71. The WWE Hall of Famer, who became the face of professional wrestling during its meteoric rise in the 1980s and 1990s, passed away on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest at his Clearwater home.
According to city officials, emergency responders were dispatched to Bollea’s residence following a report of cardiac arrest. He was treated on the scene before being transported to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The news was first reported by TMZ and later confirmed by WWE.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” the company said in a post on X. “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.”
Bollea’s towering presence, blonde handlebar mustache, and trademark slogans like “say your prayers and eat your vitamins” turned him into a global sensation. He was central to wrestling’s “golden era,” headlining numerous marquee matchups and creating unforgettable rivalries with fellow legends such as André the Giant, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, and “Macho Man” Randy Savage.
His 1996 turn as “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he shocked fans by adopting a villain persona, remains one of the most dramatic and influential storylines in wrestling history. That era helped WCW dominate WWE in television ratings for 83 consecutive weeks—a feat that has not been repeated.
However, Hogan’s legacy was not without controversy. In 2015, a leaked sex tape captured him making racist remarks, leading to his temporary expulsion from WWE and a stain on his public image.
Hulk Hogan makes his entrance during a show in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1991.
WWE/Getty Images
The scandal also sparked a landmark legal battle with media outlet Gawker, which published the video. The resulting $115 million judgment in Hogan’s favor led to the outlet’s bankruptcy and reshaped conversations around media privacy.
Despite apologizing for his remarks and returning to WWE programming in 2019, Hogan remained a divisive figure. His later appearances were often met with mixed reactions from fans and wrestlers alike.
In recent years, Hogan had shifted his focus toward launching a new wrestling venture, Real American Freestyle, aimed at promoting traditional Olympic-style wrestling. The company was set to debut its first event on August 30 but has not yet issued a statement on Bollea’s passing.
Hogan’s final in-ring run included a legendary showdown with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at WrestleMania X8 in 2002, a match etched in wrestling lore for its electric crowd and symbolic passing of the torch.
He also had a stint with TNA Wrestling in the early 2010s, though it was widely seen as a lesser chapter of his storied career.
Known for his charisma, immense popularity, and enduring catchphrases, Hulk Hogan leaves behind a complicated yet towering legacy in the world of sports entertainment.
He is survived by his two children, Brooke and Nick Bollea.
