Hulk Hogan passes away at 71 due to cardiac arrest

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Jul 24, 2025

Hulk Hogan passes away due to reported cardiac arrest

Terry Gene Bollea, better known to the world as Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 71. The wrestling legend passed away on July 24, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida, following an apparent cardiac arrest, marking the end of an era in sports entertainment.

For millions, Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler—he was the face of a movement that brought professional wrestling out of niche fandom and into living rooms across the globe.

Emergency Response: What Happened the Morning Hogan Died

At approximately 9:51 AM ET, first responders from Clearwater Fire & Rescue arrived at Hogan’s home following a 911 call for cardiac arrest. Eyewitnesses saw paramedics performing chest compressions as Hogan was taken to an ambulance.

He was transported to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:17 AM. Authorities confirmed there were no signs of foul play, and no suspicious activity is suspected.

Remembering the Man Behind the Mustache: Who Was Hulk Hogan?

Before the red and yellow gear. Before “Hulkamania.” Before the roar of sold-out arenas—he was Terry Bollea, a bass-playing, beach-loving Florida kid with a dream.

Born in Augusta, Georgia, and raised in Tampa, Hogan originally wanted to be a professional musician. But fate had other plans. Under the guidance of wrestling promoter Hiro Matsuda, Hogan traded guitar strings for ring ropes—and the world took notice.

By the mid-1980s, Hulk Hogan had become the face of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).

Hulkamania Was More Than a Catchphrase

When Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik in 1984 to become WWF Champion, the phenomenon of “Hulkamania” was born. With slogans like “Train, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins,” he captured the imagination of kids and families.

Wrestling became mainstream entertainment. Toys, lunchboxes, cartoons, even a Saturday morning show—Hulk Hogan turned professional wrestling into a pop culture event.

Signature Look: Bandana, handlebar mustache, ripped tank top.

Signature Moves: Big boot, atomic leg drop, dramatic finger-pointing.

He didn’t just win matches—he told stories. Stories of triumph, honor, betrayal, and comebacks.

The Moment Wrestling Changed Again: NWO and Hollywood Hogan

In 1996, Hogan shocked the world again by turning heel (wrestling’s term for a villain). At WCW’s Bash at the Beach, he betrayed fans and created the New World Order (NWO) alongside Scott Hall and Kevin Nash.

With the NWO, Hogan reinvented himself as Hollywood Hogan—trading bright colors for black, and fan cheers for jeers.

This reinvention extended Hogan’s relevance, bringing older fans back while proving his mastery of wrestling’s narrative arcs. It also helped WCW outperform WWF in ratings during the Monday Night Wars.

WrestleMania Moments That Made History

  • WrestleMania III (1987): Body-slamming Andre the Giant in front of 93,000 fans—still one of the most iconic moments in sports history.
  • WrestleMania VI: Losing cleanly to Ultimate Warrior, symbolizing a passing of the torch.
  • WrestleMania X8 (2002): Facing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a generational dream match. Though Hogan lost, the crowd gave him one of the loudest ovations ever recorded in WWE.

These matches weren’t just athletic events—they were theatrical epics, and Hogan was their lead actor.

More Than a Wrestler: Hogan in Pop Culture

Hulk Hogan’s appeal extended far beyond the ring. He was everywhere in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

  • TV & Film: Suburban Commando, Mr. Nanny, Thunder in Paradise, and a pivotal cameo in Rocky III as “Thunderlips.”
  • Cartoons & Games: Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling, NES video games, action figures.
  • Reality TV: Hogan Knows Best offered a peek behind the curtain of the wrestling icon’s family life.

He became a household name—alongside Michael Jordan, Mr. T, and Sylvester Stallone.

Controversies and Redemption

Hogan’s legacy wasn’t without its darker chapters.

In 2015, he was embroiled in scandal after a private tape revealed racist comments. WWE responded by removing him from the Hall of Fame and all branding. Hogan later apologized and was reinstated in 2020, this time as a member of the NWO.

The incident divided fans, but many appreciated his eventual acknowledgment and the personal accountability he expressed in subsequent interviews.

Hulk Hogan’s Health Journey: A Warrior Until the End

In recent years, Hogan dealt with numerous health issues:

  • Multiple back and neck surgeries
  • Ongoing mobility challenges
  • Persistent rumors of declining health, including false coma reports in early 2025

Just weeks before his death, his wife Sky Daily Hogan (married in September 2023) publicly denied reports that he was near death, stating his heart was “strong.”

Unfortunately, it appears that complications from past surgeries and long-term wear on his body finally caught up to him.

Tributes Pour In from Around the World

Since the news broke, an outpouring of love has flooded social media from fans, wrestlers, celebrities, and even political figures.

  • WWE released a statement calling Hogan “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures.”
  • Ric Flair, Charlotte Flair, The Rock, and John Cena have all shared memories.
  • Even outside wrestling, stars like Jake Paul, Brooke Shields, and more paid tribute.

Fans from every generation are sharing photos, stories, and memories under hashtags like #RIPHogan, #HulkamaniaForever, and #ThankYouHulk.

Hulk Hogan’s Legacy

What makes Hulk Hogan’s story evergreen isn’t just what he did—but what he represented.

  • The underdog with a dream
  • The family-friendly hero
  • The villain who taught us to boo
  • The fighter who kept getting back up

For those growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, Hogan was more than entertainment—he was a role model (flawed, human, but iconic). For today’s wrestlers, he was the blueprint. And for pop culture? He was one of the pillars.

In life and in legacy, Hulk Hogan changed the game.