Wrestling Legend and Global Icon Hulk Hogan Dies at 71
Hulk Hogan, the iconic professional wrestler who catapulted the sport into a global pop culture phenomenon, has died at 71. Born Terry Bollea, Hogan became the face of the WWE's golden era in the 1980s, known for his "Hulkamania" persona. He later reinvented himself as a villain in WCW, leading the influential nWo faction. A two-time WWE Hall of Famer, Hogan's death from a reported cardiac arrest has prompted tributes from across the entertainment and sports worlds.
Unpacked:
Hulk Hogan won the WWE Championship six times, including a record 1,474-day reign, and was the first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches in 1990 and 1991. He headlined multiple WrestleMania events and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice—once individually and once as part of the nWo faction.
Hogan's charisma and “Hulkamania” persona helped turn WWE from a regional attraction into a global entertainment powerhouse. His mainstream appeal led to record-breaking WrestleMania audiences, crossover appearances in movies and TV, and drew celebrities and massive TV audiences, making him synonymous with wrestling's golden age.
Hogan's 1996 turn as a villain in WCW and leadership of the New World Order (nWo) revitalized his career and changed wrestling storytelling. It helped WCW surpass WWE in ratings for a time and introduced a more edgy, reality-based style that influenced wrestling's direction in the late 1990s.
Hulk Hogan reportedly died of cardiac arrest at age 71. His passing prompted tributes from across sports and entertainment, with many acknowledging his transformative impact on wrestling and pop culture. His death is widely mourned by fans, fellow wrestlers, and celebrities who considered him an icon.