The world {of professional} wrestling is grappling with the lack of Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, who handed away at age 71 on Thursday (July 24). The WWE Corridor of Famer, whose iconic persona fueled the rise of wrestling within the Nineteen Eighties, died at his residence in Clearwater, Florida.
Motive behind the loss of life of the WWE legend
Hulk Hogan’s loss of life shocked followers worldwide. In line with a TMZ report, the reason for his loss of life was cardiac arrest.
Emergency providers had rushed to his Clearwater residence early Thursday morning after a 911 name reported a cardiac arrest.
“We’re advised a slew of police automobiles and EMTs have been parked outdoors Hogan’s residence … and the icon was carried on a stretcher and into an ambulance,” TMZ reported.
Regardless of efforts to avoid wasting him, Hogan was pronounced useless. His household has not but issued an announcement, however tributes have flooded social media.
Years of well being struggles
Hulk Hogan’s well being had been a rising concern, because the bodily calls for of his wrestling profession took a heavy toll. Over the previous decade, he underwent greater than 20 surgical procedures, together with again operations, knee and hip replacements, shoulder procedures, and surgical procedures on his eyes and stomach.
In Could 2025, he had a cervical fusion surgical procedure to deal with power neck ache, described as a “minor fusion process.” Following this, rumours unfold that Hogan was on his “deathbed” or in a coma, however his spouse, Sky Every day, dismissed these claims, stating, “His coronary heart is robust,” and noting his restoration progress. Nonetheless, his historical past of accidents from wrestling took a toll, culminating within the deadly cardiac arrest.
In a 2023 Males’s Well being interview, Hogan opened up about his well being, saying his physique had “shut down” after years of grueling matches and accidents. He embraced a more healthy way of life, specializing in weight reduction and train, however his historical past of cardiac points proved insurmountable.
WWE’s assertion
The WWE issued a poignant assertion on social media: “WWE is saddened to study WWE Corridor of Famer Hulk Hogan has handed away. One of popular culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE obtain international recognition within the Nineteen Eighties. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s household, buddies, and followers.”
The rise of “Hulkamania”
Born on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, Hulk Hogan turned a worldwide icon together with his charismatic persona, signature red-and-yellow gear, and catchphrase, “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” Becoming a member of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1979, he received his first WWF Championship in 1984, launching the “Hulkamania” period that propelled wrestling into mainstream popular culture.
Hogan’s affect prolonged past wrestling. He starred in movies like Rocky III and No Holds Barred, appeared on actuality TV, and launched ventures like a beer model.
