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WWE legend’s death comes after his wife, Sky, denied rumors he was in a coma after undergoing surgeries
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WWE legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71.
Medics were reportedly called to Hogan’s Clearwater, Florida, home Thursday morning. An official cause of death hasn’t been revealed, though TMZ reported he experienced “cardiac arrest.”
Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hogan skyrocketed to fame in the 1980s, bringing professional wrestling into the mainstream. He went on to become an eight-time WrestleMania headliner and six-time World Wrestling Entertainment champion, in addition to an actor and reality television personality.
Hogan was also embroiled in controversy throughout his career. A sex tape scandal and racist remarks clouded his reputation and left him asking fans for forgiveness.
The former wrestler also became a fixture during President Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign, appearing at the Republican National Convention to appeal to voters.
Survived by wife Sky, ex-wife Linda, and children Brooke and Nick, Hogan has been mourned by the WWE, fellow wrestlers, and political figures.
Eric Bischoff, who was a close friend of Hogan’s, having worked with him for decades in WCW, WWE and TNA, has confirmed their new venture will still go ahead.
The duo had recently formed a new promotion called Real American Freestyle Wrestling, which was due to host their first show in Cleveland, Ohio, on 30 August.
Responding to a fan’s enquiry about the show, Bischoff simply replied: “The Show goes on. BROTHER!”
In an earlier tribute, Bischoff paid tribute to his friend, writing: “Thanks for the house, Hulkster.”
Back to the Future actor Christopher Lloyd has shared his tribute to Hulk Hogan following the wrestler’s death.
The pair starred together in the 1991 sci-fi comedy Suburban Commando. Lloyd shared a poster of the movie, which features the two standing side-by-side, writing: “Rest in peace, Hulk.”
Following Hogan’s death, attention has naturally turned to how WWE will pay tribute to the former champion on live TV. Their next scheduled show is Smackdown, which will air on Netflix on Friday night (25 July) from Cleveland, Ohio.
According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, WWE plans to honour Hogan as “normal”. Following the recent deaths of fellow wrestling legends Sabu and Sid Vicious, WWE aired video packages using archive footage.
WWE is likely to do the same for Hogan but it remains to be seen how much more time will be dedicated to him. Previously, the company have aired ten bell salutes when stars like Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk have died.
US radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge has said that he is ‘saddened’ that he can never apologise to Hogan and mend the rift between them.
The 59-year-old, real name Todd Alan Clem, was a former friend of the WWE superstar until it emerged that Hogan had slept with the DJ’s wife, Heather, during a 2012 sex tape scandal. Hogan later sued the couple for leaking the tape.
Speaking to TMZ, Bubba said: “I’m heartbroken to hear of Terry’s passing. As everyone knows, we had our issues and those issues were mostly my fault. I loved him as a friend while he was with us, and will continue to love his memory as a friend going forward.
He added: “I’m saddened that I will never be able to tell him how sorry I am for the way I handled things that created the rift between us. I miss my friend and hope he rests in peace.”
The president called the wrestling icon a ‘great friend’ and hailed his ‘massive’ cultural impact over the years.
Andrew Feinberg reports:
Hogan was a wrestling icon, but he was never far from scandal, writes Kevin E G Perry
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has paid tribute to Hogan calling him his “childhood hero”.
Posting a video of their legendary match at Wrestlemania 18 on Instagram, Johnson shared a lengthy eulogy to the star. He wrote: “In 1984, I gave you your “HULKSTER” headband back, in the locker room in Madison Square Garden – I was the lucky kid caught it when you threw it in the crowd. You were wrestling “Mr Wonderful”, Paul Orndorff that night in the main event. You were shocked and so happy after the match because you told me that was your very last headband and if it weren’t for me, you’d have no way of getting that exact one made again. You promised me that you would get more made and give me a Hulkster headband of my own as a thank you gift.”
Johnson then fast-forwarded to their match in 2002, equating it to one of the greatest moments in his career: “The match was to decide who would go down in history, as The Greatest of All Time.When you kick out of my Rock Bottom finisher – just listen and FEEL that crowd go ELECTRIC…all for you. I’ve never felt anything like that in my entire wrestling career. It takes two to tango, but that historic crowd reaction was all for you.”
Hulk Hogan’s ex-wife, Linda Hogan, shared a throwback photo with the WWE legend just days before his death.
Read more:
Hulk Hogan’s ex-wife Linda shared poignant post about WWE legend days before his death
Pair shared two children, Brook and Nick
When Hulk Hogan took the stage at the Fiserv Forum for the final night of the Republican National Convention, he said the vibe was so electric that he felt like he was back in his WWE days, wrestling Andre the Giant.
He’s “in a room full of real Americans, brother,” he added, before ripping his shirt open to reveal a Trump-Vance shirt.
The line probably went over the heads of plenty of attendees.
Read more:
If you’re a ‘Real American,’ you’re in with Trump. What does that really mean?
What are we gonna do, brother?
In 1987, Hogan performed the most iconic wrestling take-down of his career: body slamming the late French wrestler André the Giant.
The two faced off as part of WrestleMania 3’s main event.
Up until that point, the 7’4,” 520-pound legend had remained invincible in the world of WWE. So when Hogan successfully lifted André over his head and slammed him to the ground, it marked the turning point in their storied David vs. Goliath feud.
The move, widely referred to as “the body slam heard around the world,” further cemented the sport’s place in pop culture.
Reflecting on his historic feat years later, Hogan admitted: “I was worried because I didn’t know if I could get him up.
“It was different than anything that’s ever happened,” he said in 2023, describing it as the “greatest moment ever in my life as far as my career.”
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Hulk Hogan latest: The Rock mourns death of ‘childhood hero’ at 71 plus Trump tribute – The Independent
