Hulkamania has taken its last bow as legendary wrestler and popular culture titan Hulk Hogan has died on the age of 71.
Hogan suffered a cardiac arrest at his house in Clearwater, Florida, on July 24. His sudden passing has left followers and generations of wrestling lovers reeling.
Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hulk Hogan was greater than only a wrestler. He was a motion.
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The Man Behind The Mustache: Hulk Hogan’s Iconic Rise To Wrestling Royalty
Hulk Hogan exploded onto the nationwide scene within the Eighties, remodeling the WWF (now WWE) into a worldwide leisure powerhouse.
Together with his handlebar mustache, yellow bandanas, and signature catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?,” he grew to become the face of wrestling’s golden period.
From headlining the very first WrestleMania to body-slamming André the Big in entrance of a sold-out Pontiac Silverdome at WrestleMania III, Hogan’s in-ring moments grew to become popular culture milestones.
He would go on to win 12 world championships and turn into a two-time WWE Corridor of Fame inductee, first solo in 2005, and once more in 2020 as a part of the New World Order faction.
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Crossing Over To Hollywood And Actuality TV Fame
Exterior the ring, Hulk Hogan was equally larger-than-life. He starred in cult-favorite movies like “Suburban Commando,” “Mr. Nanny,” and “No Holds Barred,” and famously performed Thunderlips in “Rocky III.”
However maybe his most memorable off-the-mat transfer was entering into the world of actuality TV.
“Hogan Is aware of Finest,” which aired on VH1 from 2005 to 2007, gave followers a front-row seat to his household life together with his then-wife, Linda, and their kids, Brooke and Nick. The present’s success cemented Hogan’s place not simply in wrestling historical past, however it could proceed to assist the truth TV realm growth, which later helped launch the careers of stars just like the Kardashians and the D’Amelios.
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WWE Dropped Hulk Hogan After Leaked Tape Sparked Outrage Over Racial Slurs
Hulk Hogan’s legacy wasn’t with out blemishes.
In 2015, the WWE lower ties with the star after a leaked tape revealed him utilizing racist language, together with the N-word, throughout a rant about his daughter Brooke’s relationship life. The footage, which was a part of a authorized battle with Gawker Media, rapidly went public and sparked outrage throughout each the wrestling world and wider leisure trade.
Following the leak, WWE swiftly terminated its contract with Hogan, eradicating all mentions of him from its web site, Corridor of Fame listings, and merchandise. The group launched a press release saying:
“WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan). WWE is dedicated to embracing and celebrating people from all backgrounds.”
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“Eight years in the past I used offensive language throughout a dialog. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there isn’t any excuse for it and I apologize for having carried out it.”
In 2018, WWE reinstated Hogan into its Corridor of Fame, stating that he had apologized and carried out outreach work, together with talking to WWE expertise about his errors.
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Scandal, Surgical procedure, And Second Probabilities
Although he later apologized and was reinstated within the Corridor of Fame, the scandal left a mark.
Hulk Hogan additionally confronted authorized battles, together with a extremely publicized lawsuit in opposition to Gawker that led to a $140 million judgment in his favor.
Nonetheless, his fanbase remained fiercely loyal, and Hogan saved going. Even after dozens of surgical procedures on his again, knees, and hips, he remained a fixture at fan conventions and WWE reunions.
In 2024, he even launched his personal beer model, Actual American Beer, and married yoga teacher Sky Each day.
Hulk Hogan Remembered As A Wrestling Icon Who Transcended The Ring
Information of Hogan’s passing despatched shockwaves via the wrestling world, with tributes pouring in from present superstars, followers, and celebrities alike.
“There isn’t a WWE with out Hulk Hogan,” one fan wrote.
One other added, “Politics and private flaws apart, he was the rationale I ever watched wrestling. RIP to the GOAT.”
The WWE issued a press release calling him “one of the crucial recognizable faces in leisure historical past.”
He’s survived by his spouse, Sky, and two kids, Brooke and Nick.
Whether or not body-slamming giants, starring on the silver display, or reinventing himself for a brand new technology, Hulk Hogan was an icon who redefined what it meant to be a sports activities entertainer. He didn’t simply dominate wrestling. He transcended it. And for thousands and thousands of followers, Hulkamania won’t ever die.
