Hulk Hogan Passes Away at Age 71

WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, passed away on Thursday at the age of 71.

Hogan’s passing was first announced by TMZ who reported that Hogan had suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida this morning. It was reported that a slew of police cars and EMTs were parked outside of Hogan’s home and he was carried on a stretcher and into an ambulance to be rushed to the hospital.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Hogan had suffered a “massive cardiac arrest” and was rushed to a local hospital but they were unable to save his life.

Following his passing, WWE issued an official statement on social media.

“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away.

One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s.

WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”

Bollea’s wresting career spanned from 1977 to 2012 and was most known for his time in WWE and Hulk Hogan ring name.

Besides WWE, Hogan also had notable stints in WCW, New Japan Pro Wrestling, American Wrestling Association, and TNA Wrestling.

Hogan was most known for his “Hulkamania” character and as a pop culture icon during the Rock n’ Wrestling Connection wrestling boom in the 1980s. Hogan was also the center piece for Vince McMahon’s national and global expansion of WWE in the 1980s and early 1990s.

During his time in WWE, Hogan was involved in many memorable and iconic moments and rivalries with Andre The Giant, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, and many others. Hogan’s status as WWE’s top star was cemented following his match against Andre the Giant for the WWE Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania III in 1987.

Following his departure from WWE in 1993, Hogan would join rival promotion WCW in 1994 as their biggest star signing. While WCW attempted to recrate the magic of Hulkamania, it did not achieve a similar level of success. Hogan would achieve a big revival in popularity following the debut of the Outsiders and the forming of the nWo with him being revealed as the mystery third member in 1996. Hogan would remain in WCW until the company’s closure in 2001.

Following WCW’s closure, Hogan return to WWE for another stint from 2002 to 2003 that included him winning the Undisputed WWE Championship from Triple H.

After a brief stint in 2003, Hogan would later return to TNA Wrestling in 2009 for a second stint that lasted until 2013. Hogan’s second stint in TNA was notable for his storyline with Abyss revolving around his WWE Hall of Fame ring and for being the co-leader of the Immortal stable with Eric Bischoff. Near the end of his stint with TNA, Hogan was involved in a feud with Aces & Eights that ended with Sting and Hogan joining forces against the group.

Hogan’s notable wrestling achievements and accolades included being a 6-time WWE Champion, 6-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, 1-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, 1-time WWE Tag Team Champion, winner of the 1991 and 1990 Royal Rumbles, winner of the 1983 NJPW League Tournament, and inductions into the Professional Wrestling (2003), WWE (2005 & 2020) and International Professional Wrestling (2021) Hall of Fames.