Hulkamania Goes Silent: WWE Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71 in Devastating Turn

The wrestling world—and beyond—stopped in its tracks on July 24, 2025, as news broke that Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Gene Bollea), the towering figure behind Hulkamania, passed away at the age of 71 from cardiac arrest in his Clearwater, Florida home .

🕰️ How It Happened

Paramedics rushed to his residence just before 10 a.m., responding to a distress call. Hogan was taken to Morton Plant Hospital but tragically pronounced dead on arrival .

Authorities confirmed no foul play and described it as a medical-related incident .

Reports indicate he had recently undergone neck surgery, and while his wife, Sky Daily, had publicly said he was improving, his sudden collapse shocked everyone .

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A Legacy Built on “24‑Inch Pythons”

Hogan wasn’t just a wrestling superstar—he was a cultural phenomenon:

He burst onto the scene in 1979, debuting at Madison Square Garden, soon becoming a staple of WWE (formerly WWF) .

As the face of WrestleMania I in 1985, alongside Mr. T, Hogan cemented the event as wrestling’s marquee spectacle .

His legendary clash with André the Giant at WrestleMania III is still one of the most iconic moments in pro-wrestling history .

Hogan went on to win 6 WWE championships, was twice inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame (2005, 2020), and led the WCW’s infamous nWo during the "Monday Night Wars" .

His signature persona—bandana, handlebar mustache, red-and-yellow outfit, and catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do, brother?”—made him an unmistakable cultural icon .

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Beyond the Ring: Hollywood and Headlines

Hogan appeared as Thunderlips in “Rocky III” (1982) and starred in films like No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny .

His reality TV show, “Hogan Knows Best,” gave audiences a peek at his family life .

He made waves in politics—most notably endorsing Donald Trump at the 2024 RNC, leading to the viral “Trumpamania” moment .

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Complex Years & Final Chapters

Hogan’s life wasn’t without controversy:

In 2015, recordings revealed racist remarks, resulting in his temporary removal from WWE, but by 2018, he’d made a public apology and was reinstated .

He successfully sued Gawker Media over its publication of a sex tape in 2016, in one of the highest-profile privacy cases of the decade .

Years of spinal — and later neck — surgeries took a toll on his health, culminating in the operation earlier this summer .

Despite this, he kept reinventing himself. In April 2025, Hogan co-founded Real American Freestyle, an unscripted wrestling promotion slated to debut in Cleveland on August 30 —a venture he would never see come to fruition.

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Global Mourning and Emotional Tributes

Within hours of his passing, tributes poured in:

WWE described Hogan as “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures” and extended condolences to his family and fans .

Ric Flair: *“I Am Absolutely Shocked… He was always there for me… Hulkster, no one will ever compare to you!”*

Charlotte Flair: *“My heart breaks for Nick and Brooke…”*

John Cena, Dana White, Sylvester Stallone, Lee Greenwood, Donald Trump Jr., and many others also paid homage .

His ex-wife, Linda Hogan, shared a poignant Instagram photo just days before his death, captioning it “The good old days” .

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The Legend Lives On

The legacy of Hulk Hogan is immeasurable. From igniting Hulkamania in the 1980s to spearheading the nWo revolution in the 1990s, influencing film and TV, and venturing into politics and business, his life reflected the highs, lows, and unshakeable resilience of a true icon.

RIP Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea—the man who leapt off TV screens into the hearts of millions. The "Hulkster" may be gone, but Hulkamania lives forever.