Wrestling Icon Hulk Hogan Passes Away at 71 Following Cardiac Arrest

The world of professional wrestling has lost one of its most iconic and transformative figures. Hulk Hogan, a legend who redefined sports entertainment for generations, has died at the age of 71.

Emergency responders were dispatched to Hogan’s Clearwater, Florida residence early Thursday morning following a 911 call reporting a suspected cardiac arrest. Paramedics arrived at the scene swiftly, where the WWE Hall of Famer was reportedly found unresponsive. He was taken from the home on a stretcher and placed into an ambulance, surrounded by multiple police cruisers and medical personnel.

The somber news comes just weeks after Hogan’s wife, Sky Daily Hogan, publicly denied circulating rumors that the wrestling star was in a coma. At the time, she had assured fans that he was recovering steadily from a recent surgery and that his heart remained “strong.” But the sudden emergency has left fans and fellow wrestlers stunned.

A Legacy Larger Than the Ring

Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hulk Hogan was more than just a wrestler—he was a cultural phenomenon. With his trademark handlebar mustache, bandana, and larger-than-life charisma, Hogan helped bring wrestling out of smoky arenas and into living rooms across the country during the 1980s and 1990s.

Before Hogan, wrestling lived mostly in regional circuits with niche appeal. But with his emergence as the face of WWE (then WWF), Hogan helped revolutionize the sport’s reach. His energy, crowd engagement, and “say your prayers and take your vitamins” catchphrases made him a household name—and a hero to countless children and families.

From Babyface to Bad Guy: Reinventing Wrestling

Hogan’s most defining character shift came in 1996 when he stunned fans by turning heel for the first time in his career. He aligned himself with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall to form the New World Order (NWO) in WCW, shaking the wrestling world and breathing new life into his legacy.

Rebranded as “Hollywood Hogan,” he embraced the role of the villain with swagger and showmanship. It was a move that not only shocked loyal fans but reinvigorated professional wrestling’s popularity, propelling WCW to new heights during the famed Monday Night Wars.

He would later return to WWE and continue to reinvent himself, receiving ovations no matter which side of the good-versus-evil divide he stood on.

Hollywood’s Thunderlips and Beyond

Beyond the squared circle, Hogan also dabbled in acting—first gaining widespread attention in Rocky III (1982) as Thunderlips, the flamboyant wrestler who faces off against Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa. That role opened the door to a string of family-friendly films including Mr. Nanny, Suburban Commando, and No Holds Barred, helping solidify his crossover appeal.

Though not always critically acclaimed, these films found success among fans and added to Hogan’s legend as an entertainer who could thrive in any arena.

Controversy and Redemption

Hogan’s legacy wasn’t without its controversies. In 2015, he was at the center of a media firestorm when a private recording surfaced, in which he made racist remarks during a private encounter. WWE swiftly cut ties with him, removing his presence from all official materials.

The fallout was immense, but so too was the legal response. Hogan sued Gawker Media for releasing the tape without consent and won a staggering $140 million verdict that led to the media company’s bankruptcy.

Despite the controversy, WWE would later bring Hogan back into the fold, citing forgiveness and growth. In 2020, he was re-inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame—this time as a founding member of the NWO faction.

A Final Bow

Hogan’s passing marks the end of an era. With more than four decades in the spotlight, he leaves behind a complicated but undeniably massive legacy. He was a trailblazer, a showman, and an entertainer whose name became synonymous with wrestling itself.

From body slams to box office, from controversy to comeback, Hogan’s life was anything but small.

He is survived by his wife Sky, his children Brooke and Nick, and millions of fans around the world who once stood on their feet, waving foam fingers, chanting “Hulkamania is running wild!”

Rest in peace, Hulk Hogan. You dropped more than leg drops—you dropped barriers and built a legacy no one can replace.