2. Jamie Whitehead
3. Live reporter
4. Image source, Getty Images
5. Image caption,
6. Going title-for-title at WrestleMania VI
7. WWE’s flagship event, WrestleMania, might never have become what it did without Hulk Hogan.
8. From a headline appearance in the first event in 1985, to the last time he competed there against The Rock in 2002 – Hogan knew how to top the big cards.
9. “The Mega Powers explode” was the tagline for Wrestlmania V in Atlantic City New Jersey as Hogan went up against former tag team partner Mach Man Randy Savage for the World Heavyweight Championship – Hogan won that one.
10. But he wasn’t so successful the following year in Toronto.
11. Hogan, still heavyweight champion, went up against intercontinental champion the Ultimate Warrior in a title-for-title match. It was the first time Hogan lost to a clean pinfall since 1981.
12. Hogan’s last ever WWE match came at SummerSlam 2006, where he defeated the Legend Killer Randy Orton.
15. The latest American politician to pay tribute to the professional wrestling star is US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
16. He posts “RIP” on X, alongside a picture of Hulk Hogan waving an American flag in a wrestling ring, surrounded by people.
19. There had been speculation about Hulk Hogan’s health in the last few months.
20. In June a representative for the wrestling legend told TMZ sports that Hogan was dealing with ailments but was “back to moving” after rumours he was unwell.
21. In May, it was widely reported he had underwent neck surgery.
22. Last year in an interview with YouTuber and wrestler Logan Paul, external, Hulk said he had at least 25 operations in the last decade.
23. “I’ve had like 25 surgeries in the last 10 years,” he said. “Ten back surgeries, both knees and both hips replaced, shoulders – everything.”
26. In a short X post, Donald Trump Jr, son of the US president, says “R.I.P to a legend”.
27. The post is accompanied by a selfie featuring the pair at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
28. Hogan spoke on stage at the convention and other events in support of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
29. Image source, X/Donald Trump Jr
32. Image source, Getty Images
33. Image caption,
34. Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant are seen at a match in Montreal, Canada, on 25 August 1980
35. Hulk Hogan was one of the most popular figures in the history of wrestling. He was also one of the most divisive.
36. Hogan bodyslamming Andre the Giant will live forever in wrestling history, as will his title run lasting more than three years.
37. He carried the WWE (then WWF) on his back during the wrestling boom in the 80s and is widely credited with giving “sports entertainment” mainstream appeal, while a reinvention in the 90s led him to run one of wrestling’s biggest ever factions in the nWo.
38. Hogan was larger-than-life in the ring, while his remarkable charisma outside of it made him the total package.
39. But for everything he achieved in wrestling – and he basically achieved everything – the end of his career was tarnished by racist comments in 2015 that effectively ended his relationship with the sport.
40. And his one-off appearance for WWE during the first episode of Raw on Netflix in January 2025 was most notable for the sheer volume of boos he received when he walked on stage.
41. But despite the controversies, Hogan will likely be best remembered for his biggest moments in the ring – and the Hulkamaniacs will always have a lot to choose from, brother.
44. Image source, Getty Images
45. Image caption,
46. Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair arrive in Sydney ahead of the Australian Hulkamania tour in 2009
47. Wrestling legend Ric Flair has paid tribute to his close friend Hulk Hogan, saying he is “absolutely shocked” to hear about his death.
48. “An incredible athlete, talent, friend and father,” he says in a post on X. “Our friendship has meant the world to me.”

Quote Message

Hulkster, no one will ever compare to you. Rest in peace my friend.”

Ric Flair

3. Image source, Getty Images
4. Hulk Hogan is arguably the most famous name in professional wrestling history.
5. Born Terry Boella in 1953, Hogan dominated the professional wrestling world throughout the 80s and 90s before expanding into films, and later reality TV.
6. Joining the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE) in 1979 but leaving shortly after in 1981, Hogan headlined the first WrestleMania in New York in 1985, where he and Mr T defeated Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper.
7. Throughout the 90s, Hogan’s popularity transcended the wrestling ring, appearing in films including Mr Nanny and Suburban Commando.
8. It was a surprise to no-one when Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 (he would later be inducted again in 2020 as a member of the NWO), but he was removed from the hall in 2015 when his WWE contract was terminated after a tape of him emerged using a racist slur.
9. In 2018, the company reinstated him, saying he deserved a second chance, but several WWE superstars, including the New Day and Titus O’Neil, said it would be “difficult to simply forget” what Hogan had said.
10. In recent years, Hogan had appeared at Trump rallies and on the US election campaign trail last year.
11. Hogan was booed by the crowd at his most recent WWE appearance, when he appeared on the company’s flagship Monday Night Raw programme to promote his beer brand.
14. Image source, Corbis via Getty Images
15. Image caption,
16. Hulk Hogan holds an opponent in a headlock in 1981
17. Image source, Bettmann via Getty Images
18. Image caption,
19. Hulk Hogan picks up singer Cyndi Lauper at the Grammys in 1985
20. Image source, Getty Images
21. Image caption,
22. Hulk Hogan at a WrestleMania press conference in 2014
23. Image source, Reuters
24. Image caption,
25. Hulk Hogan rips his shirt during a Trump presidential rally in New York City in 2024
28. Image source, Getty Images
29. In a statement World Wrestling Entertainment says it’s “saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away”.
30. Describing Hogan as “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures”, it says “Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s”.
31. “WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans,” the post concludes. , external
34. Professional wrestler Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71, the WWE confirms.
35. Stick with us as we bring updates on this developing story.