Legendary professional wrestler Hulk Hogan passes away at the age of 71, carrying a impactful legacy that extends far beyond his time in the ring.
Remembering Hulk Hogan: A Legendary Figure in Professional Wrestling
Hulk Hogan, one of the most iconic figures in the history of professional wrestling, passed away early Thursday morning at his home in Clearwater, Florida, following a cardiac arrest. He was 71.
Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hogan rose to superstardom in the 1980s, becoming the face of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) after joining in 1983. His charismatic persona, trademark look (horseshoe mustache, bandanas, red and yellow attire), and immense popularity helped catapult wrestling into mainstream entertainment.
Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleMania events, helping establish WrestleMania as wrestling’s premier annual event and expanding WWE’s global recognition. His first reign as WWF Champion lasted 1,474 days, one of the longest in history, and he was the first wrestler to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches in 1990 and 1991.
A defining moment in Hogan’s career and overall wrestling history was his 1996 heel turn as part of the New World Order (nWo) stable in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he transformed from a beloved hero into a villain. This shift revitalized wrestling during a period when interest was declining, leading to a boom in popularity in the late 1990s and influencing the industry’s direction.
Hogan's career accolades include multiple world championships across major promotions, Royal Rumble victories, and induction into the WWE Hall of Fame individually (2005) and as part of the nWo group (2020).
Off the wrestling ring, Hogan was married three times, most recently to Sky Daily in 2023. He also launched a new amateur wrestling league called Real American Freestyle and made appearances at various events, including the 2024 Republican National Convention.
In 2015, Hogan was removed from the WWE Hall of Fame due to racist remarks revealed in a leaked transcript. However, he won a major lawsuit against Gawker Media for publishing a sex tape and was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2020.
Hogan's most legendary moment was body-slamming André the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987, a move that will forever be etched in wrestling history.
Hulk Hogan’s career achievements and larger-than-life persona made him a pioneer who helped professional wrestling reach a global audience and shaped its evolution from the 1980s through the 1990s and beyond. His influence will continue to be felt in the world of wrestling for years to come.
- In addition to his impact on professional wrestling, Hulk Hogan's popularity extended into other areas of entertainment.
- Alongside his wrestling career, Hulk Hogan pursued entrepreneurial ventures, creating a new amateur wrestling league named Real American Freestyle.
- The world of business also felt Hulk Hogan's influence when he made an appearance at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
- Hulk Hogan's career spanned multiple facets of pop-culture, from alliances in the nWo to his infamous heel turn in World Championship Wrestling.
- The realm of politics and celebrity intersected with Hulk Hogan's life as he married Sky Daily in 2023.
- Controversies surrounding Hulk Hogan’s career, such as his removal from the WWE Hall of Fame due to racial remarks, have remained topics of interest in the mainstream news cycle.
