Hulk Hogan, one of the most famous professional wrestlers in history, has died at the age of 71, according to TMZ Sports.
Emergency services rushed to Hogan’s home in Clearwater, Florida, early Thursday morning after receiving a call about a cardiac arrest. Witnesses said several police and ambulance vehicles arrived, and Hogan was taken out of his home on a stretcher.
Just weeks ago, his wife Sky Hogan had denied rumors that the WWE icon was in a coma, saying his heart was “strong” and that he was recovering well from recent surgeries.
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, helped make professional wrestling popular worldwide in the 1980s. With his muscular build, booming voice, and signature catchphrases, he became the face of WWE and attracted millions of fans of all ages.
“He brought energy, excitement, and larger-than-life entertainment to wrestling. There will never be another Hulk Hogan,” said a longtime fan outside a Florida wrestling school.
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In 1996, Hogan shocked fans by becoming a villain in the wrestling world. He created the famous New World Order (NWO) group and changed his name to “Hollywood Hogan”, which gave his career a fresh boost and took wrestling to new levels of popularity.
Hogan was first added to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, but was removed in 2015 after a private recording revealed him making racist comments. He later sued the media outlet Gawker over the leak and won a major legal case. WWE reinstated him in 2020 and gave him a second Hall of Fame induction, this time with the NWO.
Outside wrestling, Hogan appeared in movies like Rocky III, No Holds Barred, and Mr. Nanny. He also starred in the reality show Hogan Knows Best, which followed his family life.
Hulk Hogan’s impact on both sports and entertainment is unforgettable. He remains one of the most recognized faces in wrestling history.
“He changed the game forever. Rest in peace, Hulkster,” said a WWE spokesperson in a brief statement.