Sports activities followers and popular culture fans had been shocked on the information of Hulk Hogan’s loss of life, who at age 71, was discovered lifeless at age 71 resulting from cardiac arrest. The information got here on July 24 at when TMZ Sports activities first reported the incident, stating that EMTs had been known as to Hogan’s house in Clearwater, Florida on Thursday early morning.
Born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, Hogan grew to become the face {of professional} wrestling and served as its most recognizable spokesman for over 30 years. Finest identified for his in-ring charisma and larger-than-life persona, he was inducted into the WWE Corridor of Fame twice — as soon as individually in 2005 and once more in 2020 as a member of the nWo (New World Order). He helped rework skilled wrestling into mainstream, family-friendly leisure as the highest star of the WWF (now WWE) throughout the Nineteen Eighties.
On the peak of his recognition, Hogan not solely headlined the World Wrestling Federation but additionally starred in a Saturday morning cartoon, Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling, and appeared in movies resembling Rocky III and No Holds Barred. Within the 2000s, he starred within the actuality present Hogan Is aware of Finest (2005–2007) and have become closely concerned in politics, even talking on the 2024 Republican Nationwide Conference, showing on the ultimate night time earlier than President Donald Trump’s handle.
Information of his premature loss of life got here as a shock to followers and colleagues alike, lots of whom took to social media to specific their grief and pay tribute to his life and legacy.
The WWE’s official X account posted: “WWE is saddened to study WWE Corridor of Famer Hulk Hogan has handed away. One of popular culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE obtain world recognition within the Nineteen Eighties. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s household, buddies, and followers.”
Wrestling superstar-turned-actor John Cena posted only a easy image on Instagram of Hulk Hogan in his prime, going through off towards Andre the Big at WrestleMania III on March 29, 1987.
The match is finest remembered for Hogan’s iconic physique slam on Andre, which led to his victory and allowed him to retain the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.
Sylvester Stallone honored Hogan in an Instagram submit that learn: “I had the pleasure of assembly this sensible persona and showman when he was 26 years previous. He was completely fantastic and his superb talent made Rocky three extremely particular. My coronary heart breaks. I believe that he’s gone…”
Days earlier than his passing, his ex-wife Linda reminisced about relationship with a throwback picture on Instagram captioned, “The great previous days!”