By Burnett Munthali
Terry Bollea, known globally by his ring name Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 71.
The wrestling legend passed away on Thursday following a cardiac arrest at his home in Florida, according to multiple published reports.
Hogan had been in declining health in recent weeks, with concerns intensifying after he underwent neck surgery in May.
Despite these worries, close friends and confidants had been dismissing rumors of his deteriorating condition as recently as a day before his death.
Hogan’s career in professional wrestling began in 1977 with a regional promotion in Florida.
He catapulted to stardom after his appearance as “Thunder Lips” in Rocky III, before becoming the marquee name of the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in the Midwest.
There, he famously challenged longtime world champion Nick Bockwinkel in a series of memorable bouts for the AWA world title.
In 1983, Vince McMahon recruited Hogan from AWA, setting the stage for a transformation in the wrestling industry.
Standing 6’7” and weighing 302 pounds, Hogan was quickly crowned WWF world champion and became the centerpiece of the “Hulkamania” era.
This new era blended wrestling with pop culture, featuring celebrity appearances from Mr. T, Cyndi Lauper, Liberace, and others, bringing the WWF to international prominence.
Hogan’s first of six WWF title reigns lasted more than four years, a record-setting run from 1984 to 1988.
His first reign ended with a dramatic, nationally televised loss to André the Giant.
After dominating as the top “babyface” (fan favorite) in pro wrestling for more than a decade, Hogan shocked fans with a dramatic heel turn.
In 1996, he joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and formed the New World Order (NWO) faction alongside Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.
This move rejuvenated his career and helped usher in another era of mainstream attention for wrestling, including crossover appearances with celebrities like Dennis Rodman, Karl Malone, and Jay Leno.
Later in his career, Hogan attempted a comeback with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), but the magic of his earlier years eluded him.
Despite a four-year stint, Hogan’s run with TNA did not reach the iconic status of his WWF and WCW tenures.
His later years were overshadowed by controversy, including a racism scandal that led to WWE severing ties with him.
He was also at the center of a high-profile lawsuit against Gawker over a leaked sex tape, a case financially backed by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, which ultimately led to the website’s collapse.
Legal troubles were not new for Hogan.
In 1985, he was sued after placing a chokehold on actor Richard Belzer during a talk show appearance.
In 1994, he gave explosive testimony during Vince McMahon’s steroid distribution trial, admitting to years of anabolic steroid use.
Despite the setbacks, Hogan remained a public figure.
In recent years, he launched his own beer brand, attempted to start a freestyle wrestling league, and made an appearance on behalf of Donald Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea leaves behind a complicated but indelible legacy.
He was a foundational figure in turning professional wrestling into a global entertainment spectacle.
While controversies dogged his final years, his impact on the sport and pop culture is undeniable.
Fans, fellow wrestlers, and critics alike are mourning the loss of an icon who helped define an era of wrestling greatness.
