Wrestling Icon Hulk Hogan Dead at 71
Clearwater, Fla., July 24, 2025 – Terry Gene Bollea, better known to the world as Hulk Hogan, has passed away at the age of 71 following a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater Beach, Florida. Emergency responders arrived at 9:51 a.m. and performed CPR for over 30 minutes before Hogan was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital. Authorities confirmed there were no signs of foul play and described the investigation into his death as routine.
Hogan was a cornerstone of WWE’s rise to global prominence in the 1980s, generating "Hulkamania" with his electrifying charisma, iconic look, and inspirational catchphrases. He headlined WrestleMania I in 1985 and delivered the legendary body slam of André the Giant at WrestleMania III. His legacy extended beyond the ring, as he starred in Rocky III, launched restaurants, and endorsed enterprises like Real American Beer.
Despite his monumental impact, Hogan’s career was marked by controversy—from steroid-related suspensions and a public sex tape scandal to infamous racist remarks that led to a temporary Hall of Fame expulsion. He later sued Gawker Media over a leaked tape and won a high‑profile privacy judgment. Though critics weighed his personal failings, his influence on sports entertainment remains undeniable.
In recent months, Hogan co‑founded Real American Freestyle, a new unscripted wrestling promotion where he served as commissioner. The organization’s inaugural event is scheduled for August 30, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
In the wake of his death, tributes poured in from across the wrestling world, including stars like John Cena, Ric Flair, Triple H, and Dwayne "The Rock." Hogan’s legacy—as a flamboyant champion, cultural pioneer, and polarizing figure—will endure across generations of fans.
Hogan was a cornerstone of WWE’s rise to global prominence in the 1980s, generating "Hulkamania" with his electrifying charisma, iconic look, and inspirational catchphrases. He headlined WrestleMania I in 1985 and delivered the legendary body slam of André the Giant at WrestleMania III. His legacy extended beyond the ring, as he starred in Rocky III, launched restaurants, and endorsed enterprises like Real American Beer.
Despite his monumental impact, Hogan’s career was marked by controversy—from steroid-related suspensions and a public sex tape scandal to infamous racist remarks that led to a temporary Hall of Fame expulsion. He later sued Gawker Media over a leaked tape and won a high‑profile privacy judgment. Though critics weighed his personal failings, his influence on sports entertainment remains undeniable.
In recent months, Hogan co‑founded Real American Freestyle, a new unscripted wrestling promotion where he served as commissioner. The organization’s inaugural event is scheduled for August 30, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
In the wake of his death, tributes poured in from across the wrestling world, including stars like John Cena, Ric Flair, Triple H, and Dwayne "The Rock." Hogan’s legacy—as a flamboyant champion, cultural pioneer, and polarizing figure—will endure across generations of fans.