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Hulk Hogan, who helped lead professional wrestling’s rise in popularity in the 1980s and beyond, has died, Florida police and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) said Thursday. He was 71.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” the organization said in a 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.”
According to the police statement, fire and police in Clearwater, Fla., responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. ET, with the nature of the call being cardiac arrest. Hogan was treated on scene before being transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased, the statement said.
“We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend,” Linda Bose, listed on IMDB as Hogan’s manager, told CBC News in an email confirming his death.
Born Terry Bollea, Hogan began wrestling in the mid-1970s. His popularity soared in 1984 after he defeated the Iron Sheik to win the heavyweight championship of what was then called the World Wrestling Federation.
Vince McMahon, former chairman and CEO of WWE, called Hogan the “greatest WWE superstar of all time” in a post on X.
“His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled — and made him a consummate performer. He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved,” McMahon wrote.
Other wrestling greats, including Ric Flair and Brutus Beefcake, have also expressed their condolences for Hogan.
“Hulk has been by my side since we started in the wrestling business,” Flair said on social media. “Hulkster, no one will ever compare to you! Rest in peace my friend!”
From the ring to the big screen
“Hulkamania,” as the energy he created was called, started running wild in the mid-1980s and pushed professional wrestling into the mainstream. He was a flag-waving American hero with the horseshoe moustache, red and yellow gear, and massive arms he called his “24-inch pythons.”
Wrestling historian Greg Oliver said Hogan’s passing took him right back to the ’80s.
“Hulkamania ran wild on everybody my age,” Oliver said. “Everybody was talking about WWF wrestling — and Hulk Hogan was the catalyst for all that.”
Cast as a patriot, Hogan was pitted in Vince McMahon’s WWF against opponents like the Iranian Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff, a Russian character. The wrestling organization scored a TV deal with NBC, and Hogan was front and centre, entering the ring beginning in 1985 to Real American, the song written by rock musician Rick Derringer, who died in May.
Fans cheered his in-ring exploits, which included a body slam of Andre the Giant, as well as a legendary match against the Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania in Toronto in 1990. Hogan’s other matches in Canada included championship bouts against Paul (Mr. Wonderful) Orndorff and Ric Flair, and even an arm-wrestling match with then-Toronto mayor Rob Ford (who died in 2016) at Fan Expo in 2013.
But his most famous match in Canada was a 2002 fight with Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson in 2002 at the Toronto-hosted WrestleMania. When Hogan faced Johnson in the “Icon vs. Icon” showdown, the crowd’s support for Hogan was unequivocal. Hogan was the bad guy going into that match — and in a remarkable display of adaptive storytelling, the two wrestlers switched attitudes mid-match.
In between stints with the WWE/WWF, he took a turn as a villain with the rival World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the 1990s.
Hogan signed on with WCW not long after being called to testify by the prosecution in a steroid conspiracy case against McMahon. “I would go by the office and pick up the steroids along with my paycheque and fan mail,” Hogan said from the stand.
Hogan was the “right man at the right time,” said Oliver, when professional wrestling was coming onto the scene, as his charisma and presence on TV lifted the sport’s profile.
In the early days, when wrestlers’ paycheques were dictated by how full the arena was, wrestlers wanted to be in the ring with Hogan because they knew he drew big crowds, Oliver said.
His presence made him a star outside of the wrestling world, too.
Paving the way for wrestlers-turned-actors such as Johnson and John Cena, Hogan also appeared on screen in fictional roles in Rocky III, Suburban Commando and Mr. Nanny. From 2005-07, he joined the reality television trend with Hogan Knows Best, starring his then-wife and two children.
Hogan won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, by none other than Sylvester Stallone.
The wrestling icon also waded into politics in recent years. He made headlines last year when he endorsed Donald Trump during his second presidential candidacy in a speech at the Republican National Convention. Hogan called Trump his “hero” and ripped off his shirt to reveal a red Trump-Vance one underneath.
“Let Trumpamania run wild! Let Trumpamania rule again! Let Trumpamania make America Great Again!” Hogan shouted at the crowd.
Trump expressed his condolences for Hogan today as well, and referenced the RNC speech, saying it was one of the “highlights of the entire week.”
“Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart,” the president wrote on Truth Social.
That appearance upset some fans of Hogan, and Oliver points out that the former pro was booed at some of his last appearances with the WWE.
In 2016, Hogan reached a $31 million US settlement with Gawker after a significant legal battle. Hogan sued the online publication after they posted a video of the wrestler having sex with a woman who was not his wife. He contended the 2012 post violated his privacy.
But there was other fallout from the sex tape. Hogan used racial slurs and made other racially-charged comments in the footage. Hogan apologized and said his words were “unacceptable,” though WWE cut ties with him for a number of years.
Hogan lately began to invest in alternatives to theatrical professional wrestling, announcing plans in April to serve as the first commissioner for the Real American Freestyle organization, which describes itself as “the first unscripted pro wrestling” league in the world. The first event is scheduled for Aug. 30 at Cleveland State University.
Real American Freestyle expressed their sadness at Hogan’s passing as well.
“From Day 1, he threw his weight behind this league. He met with athletes. He watched tape, shared stories and showed up like only he could,” CEO and founder Chad Bronstein told CBC News in an email. “This league is part of his legacy, and we intend to honour it.”