Wrestling legend Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea has passed away. He was 71 years old.
According to TMZ, paramedics were dispatched to Hogan’s home on Thursday morning with “operators stating it was regarding a cardiac arrest.” at 9:51 AM … and he received treatment from the Clearwater Fire & Rescue personnel before being transported to a local hospital.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
In a post on X(formerly Twitter), WWE paid tribute to one of the biggest stars in the history of wrestling.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s,” the posted “WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
Beginning his wrestling career in the late 1970s with AWA and a brief stint in the WWF (former name of the WWE), Hogan became a global pop culture icon, helping to bring wrestling from a territorial system to mainstream in the 80s. Along with Vince McMahon’s WWF, known for his “Hulkamania” phenomenon, his signature yellow and red attire, and catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do, brother?”Hogan captivated millions throughout the 1980s and 90s as the company’s champion. He headlined the first nine WrestleManias and became the first man to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches (1990-91).
After leaving WWE, Hogan turned heel and established the New World Order (nWo) faction at WCW along with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash at the Bash at the Beach event.
Controversy is also a part of Hogan’s legacy. In 2015, he was caught on tape making racial slurs about his daughter Brooke Hogan to his then-lover Heather Clem.
“I mean, I don’t have double standards,” Hogan said. “I mean, I am a racist, to a point, f*****g n*****s. But then when it comes to nice people and s**t, and whatever. I guess we’re all a little racist. Fucking n****r.”
During his final appearances for the WWE, Hogan was booed by the crowd during the Netflix premiere of Monday Night Raw in Los Angeles. Many speculated he was booed for his past racist remarks and political affiliations.
