Terry Bollea, better known as pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, is dead after suffering cardiac arrest at this Clearwater, Florida home. He was 71. TMZ broke the news this morning.
Hogan is largely credited with sending pro wrestling’s popularity into the stratosphere in the 1980s, turning both himself and the then-World Wrestling Federation into household names. He then went on to reinvent himself in the mid-’90s, turning heel and founding the New World Order during his time in WCW, one of the most consequential groups in wrestling history.
Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias, was a six-time WWF/WWE Champion, and a six-time WCW World Champion. He also spent time in TNA Wrestling in the early 2010s. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, once as an individual in 2005, and again as a member of the nWo in 2020.
In recent years, controversy has followed Hogan. He was temporarily removed from the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015 following a recording of him making disgusting, racist comments. He was eventually welcomed back to the WWE family after apologizing to the company and several of its talents (many of whom said the apologies were unsatisfactory). He had also become an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump in his final years, speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Most recently, Hogan was set to launch Real American Freestyle wrestling with former WCW President Eric Bischoff.
Rumors of Hogan’s failing health have swirled in recent weeks, but his wife Sky and close confidants such as Jimmy Hart vehemently denied the rumors.
