Hulk Hogan Dies at 71 of Cardiac Arrest, Ends WWE Era

Hulk Hogan, the mustachioed, headscarf-wearing icon who helped transform professional wrestling into a global phenomenon, died at age 71 following a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home. Florida police confirmed the incident on July 24, 2025, stating first responders arrived to find him unresponsive before he was pronounced dead at a local hospital [1]. Known as Terry Bollea in real life, Hogan’s career spanned decades, during which he became a cornerstone of WWE’s rise to mainstream cultural prominence. His passing marks the end of an era for wrestling, a sport he helped redefine through larger-than-life personas and high-stakes storytelling [1].

Hogan’s influence began in the 1980s, when his “Hulkamania” fervor propelled wrestling into the mainstream. He headlined the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985, teaming with Mr. T to defeat Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff in a main event that drew an estimated 1 million closed-circuit viewers. His rivalry with Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987 further solidified his status, with the rematch on NBC attracting 33 million viewers—a record at the time. Over his career, Hogan appeared in seven of the first eight WrestleMania main events and held the WWF World Heavyweight Championship for over 1,474 days, a record second only to Bruno Sammartino [1].

His impact extended beyond the ring. In 1996, a pivotal “heel turn” saw Hogan join the New World Order (NWO) in World Championship Wrestling, repositioning himself as a villain and revitalizing the industry during the 1990s. This character shift, coupled with his feud with Randy Savage, drew massive audiences and redefined wrestling’s narrative potential [1]. Hogan returned to WWE in 2002, becoming a champion again, and his 2004 match with The Rock at WrestleMania X8—where fans cheered his “bad guy” persona—symbolized a generational passing of the torch [1].

Beyond wrestling, Hogan’s persona seeped into broader pop culture. He starred in films like Rocky III and TV shows such as Thunder in Paradise. His “promos,” energetic hype sessions that engaged audiences, became a signature element of WWE’s entertainment model. Yet his legacy was not without controversy. A 2012 sex tape leak and subsequent legal battles, including a $115 million lawsuit against Gawker Media that he won in 2018, cast a shadow over his public image [1].

In recent years, Hogan waded into politics, most notably at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he merged WWE theatrics with President Donald Trump’s rhetoric. Shouting “Let Trumpamania run wild!” and tearing off a T-shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance campaign shirt, he echoed his 1980s-era fervor while aligning with a prominent political figure [1]. His ability to adapt to shifting cultural currents—from the family-friendly 1980s to the edgier 1990s—underscored his enduring appeal [1].

Analysts note that Hogan’s legacy lies in his unique ability to blend athleticism, entertainment, and cultural commentary. His career demonstrated the power of character-driven storytelling in sports, a strategy that remains central to wrestling’s enduring appeal. While his later years saw mixed public reactions, including booed appearances for his Real American Beer brand in 2025, his foundational role in WWE’s global dominance is irrefutable [1].

Hogan is survived by his family and a fanbase that continues to celebrate his contributions to professional wrestling. WWE’s statement emphasized his role in achieving “global recognition” during the 1980s, calling him “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures” [1].

Source: [1] [Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies at age 71] [https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/45813406/pro-wrestling-legend-hulk-hogan-dies-age-71]