Hulk Hogan, one of the most iconic and prominent figures in professional wrestling history, died at the age of 71. In a short release, his family announced the tragedy, saying that the legendary wrestler passed away peacefully in his home in Clearwater, Florida. They requested privacy while mourning and expressed gratitude to fans worldwide for their affection and support.
Wrestling Era
Born Terry Gene Bollea in Augusta, Georgia, on August 11, 1953, Hogan became the figurehead of the golden age of wrestling in the 1980s. Having joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1983,Hulk Hogan captured audiences’ imagination right away with his puffed-up physique, never-ending charisma, and over-the-top personality.
Hogan was the centre of the WWF’s national expansion. In 1985, he was the headliner of the first WrestleMania, teaming with Mr. T in a bout that garnered national attention and helped professional wrestling gain mainstream recognition.
Champion and Cultural Icon
In 1984, Hogan bested The Iron Sheikh in Madison Square Garden to claim the WWF Championship. He established a record for this era by holding the title for an astounding 1,474 days, or nearly four years. He successfully defended the title throughout that time against all-time greats such as Randy “Macho Man” Savage, André the Giant, and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.
Hogan became more than a wrestler. He endorsed a wide range of products, from action figures to vitamins, and appeared in cartoons and movies, including No Holds Barred. Kids copied his signature poses, screamed his name, and sported his red-and-yellow gear. America and eventually the world were swept up in Hulkamania.
Villian of WCW
For the first time in over a decade, Hulk Hogan surprised fans in 1996 when he turned heel. Perhaps the most shocking event in wrestling history was when he formed an alliance with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to create the New World Order (nWo) in World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
His rebirth revitalised his career, and for more than 80 consecutive weeks, WCW outperformed WWE in television ratings. In his role as “Hollywood” Hogan, he demonstrated his flexibility and star power by portraying the conceited villain to perfection.
WWE Hall of Fame
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. His pioneer work in the field and his role in helping make wrestling so popular were honoured at the induction ceremony. He later made appearances on WWE programming several times, hosting WrestleMania and serving as a coach to budding wrestlers.
Despite a number of scandals throughout his lifetime, Hogan’s legacy and impact were nonetheless recognised by WWE. He helped the company grow into a billion-dollar worldwide brand and was credited by many industry veterans with helping to pave the way for the modern wrestling boom.
Hulk Hogan Fame
Despite facing personal and legal challenges in his later years, Hogan remained devoted to his family and faith. He spent his later years in a more peaceful life in Florida focusing on his health, spirituality, and legacy. He kept in touch with fans online and attended conventions and fan expos, where everyone still loved him. Outside the ring, Hogan lived the life of a family man. He was married to two women and had two sons, Brooke and Nick, both of whom appeared with him on the VH1 reality show Hogan Knows Best.
Hulkamania
The essence of Hulkamania lives on even after Hogan’s death. He influenced far more than just the wrestling arena. His iconic entrance theme, “Real American,” still riles up crowds. His red-and-yellow attire, title wins, and classic promos etched themselves into wrestling lore. He showed the world that charisma, determination, and self-belief could fuel a revolution. Hogan told kids to say their prayers, take their vitamins, and believe in themselves, and millions did.
