Wrestling Icon Hulk Hogan Passes Away at 70: A Legend Who Transformed Sports Entertainment Forever

The wrestling world was struck with grief and disbelief this morning as news broke that WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan — real name Terry Bollea — has passed away at the age of 70. The legendary figure, known for his unmatched charisma, signature “Hulkamania” persona, and immeasurable impact on professional wrestling, died of cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home on Thursday.

The heartbreaking news was first reported by TMZ, who confirmed that emergency responders were dispatched to Hogan’s residence early Thursday morning. Paramedics reportedly spent over 30 minutes attempting to revive the wrestling icon before transporting him to the hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead.

In the hours following the announcement, TMZ also released the 15-second audio recording of the 911 dispatch call from the Pinellas County Fire and EMS. Though brief, the recording reflects the urgency and seriousness of the situation as first responders attempted to save one of the most iconic figures in pop culture history.

A Shocking Turn Few Saw Coming

While Hogan’s struggles with health in his later years were well known among fans and the wrestling community, his death still came as a shock to many. In fact, there had been no public indication that Hogan was suffering from any immediate or life-threatening condition. In a podcast appearance with Logan Paul just last year, Hogan revealed that he had undergone an astounding 25 surgeries over the past decade. These included multiple spinal procedures, knee replacements, and hip surgeries — all a testament to the physical toll his decades in the ring had taken on his body.

Despite these health issues, Hogan appeared to remain in good spirits. He continued making public appearances, participating in interviews, and even made a cameo at WWE-related events, sparking hope among fans that the Hulkster still had some fuel left in the tank. His unexpected passing has left a void that will not easily be filled.

Hulk Hogan (Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Rumors and Denials

Just last month, a concerning rumor began circulating that Hogan was on his deathbed. This claim came from controversial radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge (real name Todd Clem), who alleged that Hogan’s family had been summoned to say their goodbyes. The rumor was quickly debunked by Hogan’s representatives, and the star himself never publicly acknowledged the claim.

At the time, many dismissed Clem’s comments as sensationalist and unfounded — a publicity stunt from a former associate with whom Hogan had a tumultuous history. The abrupt nature of Hogan’s death now casts a new light on that claim, but it remains unclear whether there was any merit to the warning or if this was truly an unforeseen medical emergency.

A Family Man Behind the Spotlight

Hulk Hogan is survived by his two children, Brooke and Nick Bollea, and his third wife, Sky Daily. Hogan had been married to Daily since 2022, following two high-profile previous marriages. His first and most publicized marriage was to Linda Claridge, which lasted from 1983 to 2009. During that time, the family became well-known through the VH1 reality series Hogan Knows Best, which aired from 2005 to 2007 and gave fans a behind-the-scenes look into the life of the wrestling icon.

His second marriage, to Jennifer McDaniel, lasted from 2010 until their divorce in 2021. Despite the challenges and controversies he faced over the years — both personally and professionally — Hogan’s love for his children remained a constant. Tributes from both Brooke and Nick have already begun pouring in on social media, reflecting a profound loss that extends far beyond the wrestling ring.

Hulkamania: The Movement That Changed Wrestling

To fully understand Hulk Hogan’s legacy, one must look beyond his achievements and examine the cultural tidal wave he created in the 1980s. When Vince McMahon envisioned transforming the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) into a national, and eventually global, entertainment juggernaut, he knew he needed a singular star to lead the charge. That star was Terry Bollea.

Rebranded as Hulk Hogan — a name inspired by his resemblance to the Incredible Hulk and his larger-than-life frame — he became the face of professional wrestling’s most explosive era. His charisma, energy, and unforgettable catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?!” resonated with millions. His matches became must-see events. His yellow and red gear became the symbol of a movement.

From his legendary showdown with André the Giant at WrestleMania III — where he body-slammed the 520-pound behemoth in front of a record crowd — to his countless battles with the likes of “Macho Man” Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, and Ric Flair, Hogan’s in-ring career was the stuff of legends. He headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias and remained a staple of WWE programming for over a decade.

A Shocking Heel Turn That Made History

But Hogan’s influence didn’t end with the WWE. In 1994, he made a seismic jump to World Championship Wrestling (WCW), a move that shocked the wrestling world. Two years later, in one of the most jaw-dropping moments in wrestling history, Hogan turned heel — aligning himself with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall to form the New World Order (nWo) at Bash at the Beach 1996.

Fans were stunned. The all-American hero had embraced the dark side. Yet this bold transformation revitalized his career and helped launch the “Monday Night Wars,” a ratings battle between WWE’s Monday Night Raw and WCW’s Monday Nitro that defined a generation of wrestling fans.

The nWo angle was groundbreaking and helped WCW briefly overtake WWE in popularity. Hogan’s reinvention as “Hollywood Hogan” showed his versatility as a performer and his unmatched understanding of the business. Without Hogan, it’s hard to imagine the Attitude Era — and stars like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Triple H — flourishing in the way they did.

Controversy and Redemption

Hogan’s life was not without scandal. In 2015, he was embroiled in a racial controversy after audio surfaced of him using offensive language. WWE severed ties with him, removing him from the Hall of Fame website and disassociating him from promotional material. Hogan issued multiple public apologies and entered a long period of reflection and silence.

In time, WWE reinstated Hogan into the Hall of Fame and began including him in legacy programming. While the controversy left a mark on his reputation, many fans and peers accepted his apologies and continued to honor his contributions to the sport.

As he aged, Hogan remained active in wrestling through appearances, interviews, and as a mentor to younger talent. While he never had the clean exit from the ring that some stars enjoy, his presence remained powerful, and his name still drew crowds and headlines.

Tributes Pour In

Following the news of his death, the wrestling community exploded with tributes. WWE issued an official statement acknowledging Hogan’s profound contributions to the industry and expressing condolences to his family. Fellow Hall of Famers like Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, and Kurt Angle took to social media to share personal memories and praise Hogan’s legacy.

Hulk Hogan and Hulk Hogans house (Photos via Imagn and Getty Images)

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, one of the many who followed in Hogan’s footsteps, wrote:

“Without Hulk Hogan, there is no me. No millions of fans screaming ‘Do you smell what The Rock is cookin?’ Hulk opened the door and broke the mold for what we could be as wrestlers and entertainers. Rest easy, brother.”

John Cena, who has often cited Hogan as a role model, simply posted:

“The man. The myth. The legend. Thank you, Hulk.”

A Lasting Legacy

There will never be another Hulk Hogan. He didn’t just dominate wrestling — he transcended it. From action figures and lunchboxes to movies like Rocky III and Suburban Commando, Hogan was everywhere. He was the embodiment of American wrestling, a pop culture titan who made “sports entertainment” what it is today.

He brought joy, excitement, and inspiration to generations of fans across the globe. Whether you were a child watching Saturday Night’s Main Event in the 80s, or a teen glued to Nitro during the nWo era, chances are Hulk Hogan had a role in shaping your love for professional wrestling.

As fans, we will remember the entrance music. The finger-pointing. The leg drop. The ripping of the shirt. The electrifying energy that filled arenas when “Real American” blared from the speakers. And above all, we’ll remember the man who made us believe that anything was possible — as long as we trained, said our prayers, and took our vitamins.

Rest in peace, Hulk Hogan. You ran wild on us all — and we loved every second of it.