Hulk Hogan wasn’t young, and a life in professional wrestling broke down his body, but it was still surprising to see news of his sudden death at the age of 71.
Hogan reportedly suffered a cardiac event at his home in Florida, as first reported by TMZ Sports. Emergency personnel rushed him to the hospital, but he was eventually pronounced dead.
The loss of Hogan, aka Terry Bollea, is one that was felt across not just the world of professional wrestling but all of entertainment. Despite the controversies in the second half of his life, Hogan’s work in pro wrestling was unmatched, at least regarding the impact he made on fans and culture.
WWE Pays Tribute to ‘Immortal’ Hulk Hogan
He did a lot of that work for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), the Vince McMahon-led promotion that eventually changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Hogan rose to stardom as the No. 1 attraction for a white-hot product in the 1980s and 1990s. He was the face of the company, the sport and became one of the first pro wrestlers to transcend the industry and become a media and pop culture sensation.
He left WWF/WWE in the mid-1990s for WCW. But he eventually returned and will forever be synonymous with the organization. Shortly after news of Hogan’s passing broke, WWE released this statement:
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer has passed away,” the company said in its statement. “One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends and fans.”
WWE chief content officer Paul Levesque, known better as Triple H, worked alongside Hogan during his own in-ring career. Levesque married into the McMahon family and now runs creative for the company, making him uniquely suited to reflect on Hogan’s life and impact.
Hogan’s Impact on Pro Wrestling Felt for Generations
Levesque also released a statement:
“WWE would not be where it is today without the larger-than-life characters that compete in the ring, and few, if any, loomed larger than Terry “Hulk Hogan’ Bollea.
“He was the archetype of what it meant to be a “Superstar” — a global sensation that inspired millions to work hard at whatever it was they wanted to accomplish and a look that made him recognizable to fans around the world.
“Hulk Hogan, clad in red and yellow or nWo black and white, was simply put, iconic. As a Real American or the leader of one of the industry’s biggest factions, he transcended and elevated the entire business to heights never before seen — in every country and every continent.
“There was no one like The Hulkster and there very well may never be another. My family sends their condolences to his family, friends and fans.”
He was the archetype of what it meant to be a “Superstar” – a global sensation that inspired millions to work
Hogan’s relationship with the WWE wasn’t always perfect. The company removed Hogan from its Hall of Fame after he was caught on a hidden camera making racist comments in a video that surfaced in 2015.
Hogan eventually apologized — including to the locker room — and the two sides resumed business. The six-time WWE champion made occasional on-screen appearances to help the company promote big events. Hogan’s last on-screen work for WWE came in early 2025 when he appeared on the first episode of “Monday Night Raw” broadcast on Netflix.
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