Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Passes Away at 71 in Florida

Hulk Hogan, the larger-than-life wrestling superstar who helped bring professional wrestling into the mainstream during the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 71. Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hogan reportedly suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, early Thursday morning. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

According to TMZ, Hogan had a neck surgery a few days ago, and had been recuperating. Although the cause of death is not official, ambulance workers were heard mentioning "cardiac arrest."

Best known for his trademark handlebar mustache, bandana, and catchphrase "Whatcha gonna do, brother?", Hogan was a global phenomenon. A central figure in WWE's (then WWF's) rise to prominence, Hogan headlined the first nine WrestleManias and became a household name through his battles with stars like André the Giant, Randy Savage, and The Ultimate Warrior.

Beyond the ring, Hogan starred in movies, TV shows, and even had a Saturday morning cartoon. He was instrumental in bridging wrestling and pop culture, appearing alongside celebrities like Mr. T and Cyndi Lauper and helping cement WrestleMania as an annual spectacle.

In the late 1990s, Hogan reinvented himself as a heel in WCW's New World Order (nWo), reigniting his career and helping WCW briefly overtake WWE in ratings. His legacy, however, has been complicated in recent years by health battles, personal controversies, and a leaked audio scandal that temporarily saw him banned from WWE.

Despite the setbacks, Hogan remained beloved by millions of fans across generations and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, with a second induction in 2020 as part of the nWo faction.

He is survived by his two children, Brooke and Nick, and his wife, Sky Daily, whom he married in 2023.

WWE has yet to issue an official statement, though tributes from wrestlers, fans, and celebrities have already begun pouring in across social media, honoring the man many still call the greatest of all time.

More details about Hogan's cause of death and funeral arrangements are expected in the coming days.