Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71

Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea, one of the most famous professional wrestlers in history, died on July 20, 2025, at his home in Clearwater, Florida. He was 71. Hogan’s passing marks the end of an era for sports entertainment and leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the wrestling ring.

Hogan’s Final Moments

Hogan suffered a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater residence. Emergency responders were called, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Just weeks earlier, his wife, Sky Bollea, had publicly denied rumours that he was in a coma following surgery, assuring fans that he was recovering well.

His sudden death shocked wrestling fans and celebrities around the world.

The Rise of “Hulkamania”

In the early 1980s, Hulk Hogan transformed professional wrestling from a niche sport to a global phenomenon. With his signature red-and-yellow tights, patented leg drop finishing move and booming catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”

He became a household name. Hogan headlined the first five WrestleMania events and helped the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) become a worldwide brand.

Reinvention as “Hollywood Hogan”

After dominating in the 1980s, Hogan stunned fans in 1996 by turning “heel” (villain) and joining the villainous New World Order (nWo) faction in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). As “Hollywood Hogan,” he donned black-and-white gear and adopted a sinister attitude. This reinvention kept his career fresh, sparked new rivalries, and fueled WCW’s rise in the infamous “Monday Night Wars” against WWE.

Hall of Fame Ups and Downs

Hogan was first inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, cementing his status as a wrestling great. However, in 2015, a leaked tape featuring racist remarks led WWE to remove him from the Hall.

Hogan sued for defamation and won, and in 2020 he was re‑inducted,this time as part of the nWo portion of the Hall of Fame. His journey reflects both the heights of his fame and the challenges he faced off-camera.

Beyond the Ring: Film and TV

Hogan’s charisma carried over into movies and television. He played the musclebound boxer Thunderlips in Rocky III (1982) and starred in films like No Holds Barred and Mr. Nanny. In the 2000s, he and his family headlined the reality show Hogan