Image Credit: WWETMZ reports that WWE Hall of Famer and perhaps the most famous wrestler of all time, Hulk Hogan, has passed away at the age of 71. Emergency responders were dispatched to Hogan’s Clearwater, Florida home early Thursday morning following a report of cardiac arrest. Multiple police units and EMTs arrived at the scene, and Hogan was transported from the home on a stretcher.
There had beenrumors about the Hulkster’s health for weeks, with his wife Sky denying several of them, including one allegation that he was in a coma. She said that his heart was “strong” as he continued to recover from multiple surgeries. The rumors, which originated from Bubba the Love Sponge, claimed that Hogan was on his “deathbed”. At the time, sources close to him stated that he was simply experiencing complications from a neck surgery he had undergone in May.
Hogan, born Terry Bollea, helped revolutionize professional wrestling in the 1980s and ’90s, and helped it go mainstream during the ‘Rock ‘N Wrestling’ era. Hogan became a household name through his charisma and colorful promos. He famously turned heel in 1996 to form the NWO, igniting another boom period for wrestling. The two-time WWE Hall of Famer had memorable matches with legends like The Rock, Andre the Giant, Randy Savage and many others. His last match was for TNA Wrestling in 2012, in which he teamed with James Storm and Sting against Kurt Angle, Bobby Roode and Bully Ray.
He was also an actor, appearing in films likeRocky III andMr. Nanny, as well as theThunder in Paradise TV series. He even had his own reality show on VH1 calledHogan Knows Best. Recently, he launched an amateur wrestling league with Eric Bischoff called Real American Freestyle, set to debut August 30.
Hogan was also a controversial figure following the release of a secretly recorded video containing racist remarks. He later sued Gawker for publishing the tape and won a highly publicized legal battle. He also made a controversial appearance at the 2024 Republican National Convention in support of Donald Trump.
Most recently, Hogan was part of the new Real American Freestyle promotion, along with Eric Bischoff and others. Hogan’s name was part of the promotion’s branding. RAF will be holding their first event on August 30th.
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on his own in 2005, then as part of the nWo in 2020.
He leaves behind his daughter, Brooke Hogan, and son, Nick Hogan, as well as his wife, Sky Daily.
411 would like to send our condolences to his family and friends.
