Wrestling Icon Hulk Hogan Dies At 71 Following Cardiac Arrest

Hulk Hogan, wrestling legend, dies at 71. His passing marks the end of an era for fans who saw him transform wrestling into a mainstream spectacle.

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Florida home. (Image Credit: X)

Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71, TMZ Sports reported. Emergency responders were dispatched to Hulk Hogan’s Florida home following a 911 call about a suspected cardiac arrest, the report noted. Hulk Hogan’s passing comes just weeks after his wife dismissed rumors that the former WWE superstar was in a coma, insisting at the time that his heart was “strong” and that he was recovering well from a series of surgeries.

Often referred to as the man who revolutionized professional wrestling, Hulk Hogan’s death marks the end of an era for fans who grew up watching him turn wrestling into a mainstream, family-friendly global spectacle.

From Wrestling Superstar To Pop Culture Icon

Born Terry Eugene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, Hulk Hogan became the most recognizable figure in professional wrestling during the 1980s and early 1990s. With his trademark handlebar mustache, yellow bandanas and catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”, Hulk Hogan helped transform WWE (then WWF) into a household name.

He headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias, became a six-time WWE champion and starred in films, TV shows and commercials that cemented his status as a crossover celebrity. His charisma and over-the-top theatrics drew in millions of new fans, particularly children and families, at a time when wrestling was still seen as a niche sport.

In 1996, Hulk Hogan shocked the world by turning heel- transforming his all-American, good-guy persona into the villainous “Hollywood Hogan” and forming the now-iconic wrestling faction, the New World Order (NWO) in WCW (World Championship Wrestling). The move revitalized his career and ushered in a new era of edgy, storyline-driven wrestling that kept audiences riveted.

Hulk Hogan’s Complicated Legacy

Hulk Hogan was first inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 but was removed in 2015 after a leaked sex tape published by Gawker included him making racist remarks while being secretly recorded. He later won a lawsuit against Gawker, receiving a substantial financial settlement that led to the outlet’s bankruptcy. In 2020, Hulk Hogan was re-inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, this time as a member of the NWO, alongside wrestling legends Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.

Though his later years were clouded by scandal and health issues, Hulk Hogan remained a towering figure in the world of sports entertainment- both literally and culturally.