Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan passes away at 71 years old

Clearwater, Florida— The entertainment and wrestling world is in mourning. WWE icon Hulk Hogan passed away at the age of 71, TMZ Sports confirmed on Thursday morning.

Paramedics went to his residence in Clearwater, Florida, following an emergency call for cardiac arrest. According to reports, several police vehicles and emergency services were seen at the scene, and Hogan was taken on a stretcher to an ambulance. Just weeks ago, his wife Sky Hogan denied rumors about his critical condition, stating that his heart was "strong" while recovering from recent surgeries. Although it had already been reported that Hogan was suffering complications after a neck surgery in May, his death represents an unexpected blow to millions of fans around the world.

An Eternal Legacy in Wrestling

Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) was not only a superstar inside the ring, but a cultural phenomenon. His charisma and style transformed professional wrestling into global family entertainment. In 1996, he reinvented his character as Hollywood Hogan, by founding the legendary group NWO (New World Order), redefining his career and revolutionizing the industry. Among his most remembered matches are his confrontation against Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III, his historic fight against The Rock at WrestleMania X8, and his rivalries with icons such as Ultimate Warrior and "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and again in 2020 as a member of the NWO. His career also extended to film and television, starring in films such as "Rocky III", "No Holds Barred" and his family reality show "Hogan Knows Best". Despite multiple surgeries stemming from his career in the ring, Hogan remained active. Last May, he had announced the launch of his new amateur wrestling league Real American Freestyle, with a debut event scheduled for August 30 on Fox Nation.