Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, has passed away at the age of 71. The twelve-time professional wrestling world champion and two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee died from cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, as emergency services were dispatched on Thursday morning, according to reports.
Hogan achieved global fame following his WWF debut in 1979. His incredible charisma, imposing physique, signature handlebar mustache, and the iconic “Hulkamania” persona were pivotal in transforming the company into a global sports entertainment powerhouse. At WrestleMania III, his legendary body-slam of Andre the Giant became one of the most memorable moments in professional wrestling history.
Hulk Hogan`s name became synonymous with the industry, and he was heavily featured in WWF video games, including WWF Wrestlemania, WWF Wrestlemania Challenge, and King of the Ring for Nintendo and Super Nintendo. After moving to competitor WCW in the mid-90s, he also became a central figure in their games for N64 and PlayStation, most notably WCW/NWO Revenge.
Beyond the wrestling ring, Hogan expanded his career into mainstream entertainment, appearing in films like Rocky III and TV shows including Hogan Knows Best. Shortly before his passing, in April, he co-founded the Real American Freestyle wrestling promotion alongside Eric Bischoff, which had planned to hold its inaugural event this summer in Cleveland.
However, his career was not without controversy. Despite being the company`s leading star and one of its “Mount Rushmore” figures, WWE completely “erased” Hogan from its history for several years following a 2015 scandal involving racist remarks, as well as subsequent allegations of infidelity.
Hulk Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky, and his children from a previous marriage. His immeasurable impact on the wrestling industry, from his early days in WWE to his later efforts in shaping new talent, will forever be remembered.