Hulk Hogan Death : Wrestling’s Icon Dies at 71

Hulk Hogan , wrestling’s iconic showman, died at 71 from a cardiac arrest on July 24, 2025. This tribute traces his rise from Tampa to WWE stardom, his health battles, controversies, and lasting pop culture legacy. Explore how “Hulkamania” reshaped wrestling and inspired millions worldwide.

The wrestling world stopped cold on July 24, 2025. Hulk Hogan, the man who turned “Hulkamania” into a battle cry, was gone at 71. His larger-than-life presence—blond mustache, ripped shirts, and booming “brother”—made him a legend. Let’s walk through the life of Terry Gene Bollea, from Tampa’s backyards to global stardom, and unpack the truth behind Hulk Hogan death.

A Heart Stops: Hulk Hogan Death

It was a sunny morning in Clearwater, Florida, when tragedy struck. At 9:51 AM on July 24, 2025, Hulk Hogan suffered a massive cardiac arrest at his home. Paramedics fought to save him, performing CPR before rushing him to Morton Plant Hospital. By 11:17 AM, the wrestling icon was pronounced dead at 71. Fans flooded social media, sharing memories of WWE Hulk Hogan and his unforgettable charisma.

Hogan’s body had endured decades of punishment. Years of body slams and suplexes led to 10 back surgeries and a neck fusion in May 2025. His wife, Sky Daily, told People in June, “Terry’s tougher than anyone I know.” Yet, the sudden heart failure caught everyone off guard, ending a warrior’s journey.

From Tampa Kid to Wrestling Hopeful

Terry Bollea wasn’t born a superstar. Raised in Tampa, Florida, after his birth in Augusta, Georgia, on August 11, 1953, he chased baseball dreams as a pitcher. Injuries crushed that path, so he turned to music, strumming bass in local bands. At 22, a chance encounter at a wrestling show changed everything. Promoters saw his 6-foot-8, 300-pound frame and knew he was special.

Training under Hiro Matsuda, Bollea debuted in 1977 as “The Super Destroyer.” The name “Hulk” came when a promoter likened him to the comic book brute. His big break? Playing Thunderlips in Rocky III (1982). That role landed him in the World Wrestling Federation, where WWE Hulk Hogan began his climb.

Hulkamania Runs Wild: The WWF Years

In 1983, Hogan stepped into the World Wrestling Federation and rewrote history. His red-and-yellow gear, “Real American” theme, and “say your prayers” catchphrase hooked fans. On January 23, 1984, he defeated the Iron Sheik for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship, sparking “Hulkamania.” Arenas shook as fans mimicked his shirt-ripping theatrics.

Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias, facing titans like Andre the Giant and Randy Savage. His 1987 WrestleMania III bout with Andre drew 93,173 fans—a spectacle Sports Illustrated called “wrestling’s defining moment.” Hulk Hogan now was the face of a sport turned global phenomenon, thanks to his grit and showmanship.

Pop Culture Giant: Hogan’s Mainstream Magic

Hogan didn’t just dominate wrestling; he owned the 1980s. He traded jabs with Mr. T on The A-Team, rocked out with Cyndi Lauper at the Grammys, and starred in No Holds Barred (1989), which earned $16 million. Kids wore his bandanas, clutched his action figures, and chanted his slogans. His feuds with heels like Roddy Piper tapped into America’s post-Cold War pride.

In 1985, a New York Post reporter trailed Hogan through Manhattan, noting he was mobbed every 20 steps. Hulk Hogan now was a cultural juggernaut, blending athleticism with a rock-star aura that made him bigger than the ring.

WCW and the nWo: A Villain’s Turn

By 1994, Hogan craved a new challenge. He joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and initially played the hero. Then, in 1996, he shocked the world. Ditching his red-and-yellow for black-and-white, he became “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, leading the New World Order (nWo). The move ignited the “Monday Night War,” with WCW’s Nitro outrating WWF.

Hogan’s heel turn was genius. He won six WCW World Heavyweight Championships, and his 1997 Starrcade match against Sting drew 700,000 pay-per-view buys. Hulk Hogan reinvented himself, proving he could mesmerize fans as a villain.

Final Matches and Honors: A Legend’s Exit

Hogan returned to WWE in 2002, facing The Rock at WrestleMania X8 in a match fans still rave about. At 48, he won his sixth WWE Championship, tying a record. After wrestling in Total Nonstop Action (TNA) and making occasional WWE appearances, he hung up his boots in 2012. His last public gig was a January 2025 event for Real American Beer.

Hogan earned two WWE Hall of Fame inductions (2005 and 2020 for nWo). Wrestling historian Dave Meltzer told ESPN, “No one drew more fans than Hogan.” Despite physical pain, Hulk Hogan remained a beloved figure, his legacy etched in every piledriver.

Movies, TV, and Hustle: Hogan’s Other Ventures

Hogan’s charisma fueled a side career. He starred in Suburban Commando (1991) and Mr. Nanny (1993), though reviews were mixed. His reality show, Hogan Knows Best (2005–2007), drew 1.9 million viewers, showing his life with wife Linda and kids Brooke and Nick. In 2025, he launched Real American Freestyle, a wrestling league for amateurs.

His business attempts—like Pastamania restaurants—flopped, but his drive never wavered. Hogan’s knack for staying in the spotlight, even in his 70s, was pure magic.

The Dark Side: Hogan’s Scandals

Hogan’s story has shadows. In 2015, a leaked sex tape showed him using racial slurs, prompting WWE to erase him from its Hall of Fame. He apologized, calling it his “lowest moment,” and won a $140 million lawsuit against Gawker for publishing the tape. WWE reinstated him in 2020.

His 2007 divorce from Linda and steroid rumors hurt his image, too. Yet, fans saw a man who owned his mistakes, making Hulk Hogan human and relatable.

FAQs: Your Questions About Hulk Hogan Death

Closing the Ring: Hulk Hogan’s Legacy Lives On

Hulk Hogan death at 71 silenced a legend, but his roar echoes. From Tampa’s fields to sold-out arenas, he built “Hulkamania” into a cultural force. Flawed, resilient, and unforgettable, Hogan shaped wrestling and pop culture. His matches, movies, and spirit endure, urging fans to keep the faith.

Watch Hogan’s greatest moments on Peacock or share your favorite “brother” memory below. What’s your Hulkamania story?