I honestly wish this wasn’t something I had to write.
Hulk Hogan has passed away at 71 years old. The man who once seemed invincible—the face of an entire era of professional wrestling—died Thursday morning in Clearwater, Florida, after going into cardiac arrest. Local officials have confirmed there was no foul play involved. WWE has since released a statement expressing their sadness.
When I first heard the news, I didn’t want to believe it. Like many of you, I grew up watching Hogan on my TV screen. He wasn’t just a wrestler—he was the wrestler.
For longtime fans, today’s stars, and those of us who’ve covered this industry for years, this loss hits deeper than most. This isn’t just the death of a celebrity. It’s the loss of someone who shaped our childhoods, our passions, and in some cases, our careers. It’s hard to even put into words.
Terry Bollea, better known to the world as Hulk Hogan, wasn’t just a wrestler—he was wrestling. He was the face you saw on lunchboxes and posters. The hero who told kids to train, say their prayers, and believe in themselves. He was the reason millions tuned in week after week. His charisma was off the charts, and when that iconic theme song hit, the energy in any building—or living room—was undeniable.
Hogan became a household name in the 1980s, leading the then-WWF (now WWE) into a new era of national and global popularity. He headlined the first WrestleMania alongside Mr. T, and just two years later, lifted Andre the Giant in front of 80,000 screaming fans at WrestleMania III. That moment didn’t just make headlines—it became wrestling history.
He held the WWF title six times, including a reign that lasted over four years. He was on TV, in movies, on cereal boxes—you name it. For a long stretch of time, there was nobody more recognizable than Hulk Hogan. Not in wrestling, not in sports, not anywhere.
By the mid-‘90s, the red and yellow started to fade—but Hogan wasn’t done.
In 1996, he shocked the wrestling world by turning heel, joining WCW and forming the New World Order. As “Hollywood Hogan,” he traded the cheers for boos and played the bad guy like no one expected he could. And it worked. The NWO took over wrestling in the late ‘90s, and Hogan was once again right at the center of it all, helping WCW beat WWE in the ratings for 83 straight weeks.
He reinvented himself and, in the process, reinvented the business. That’s rare air.
WWE would not be where it is today without the larger-than-life characters that compete in the ring … and few, if any, loomed larger than Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea.
He was the archetype of what it meant to be a “Superstar” - a global sensation that inspired millions to work… pic.twitter.com/wXpgFvAhHA
Hogan made a powerful return to WWE in 2002 and faced The Rock at WrestleMania X8 in Toronto. Fans weren’t interested in booing him—they gave him one of the loudest ovations in wrestling history. He would bring back the red and yellow once more and give fans a few final chapters before stepping away from the ring in 2012. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
In recent years, Hogan had been dealing with serious back issues from decades of wear and tear. Still, he stayed busy. He was building a new promotion called Real American Freestyle Wrestling, and was planning to open a bar across from Madison Square Garden—a fitting location for a man who helped sell out the place so many times.
A Complicated Legacy, But an Undeniable Impact
Like many public figures, Hogan's journey wasn’t without controversy. In 2015, recordings surfaced of Hogan using racial slurs. WWE terminated his contract at the time, though they brought him back several years later in a limited role. Some fans welcomed him, others didn’t—but his influence never went away.
That same year, he successfully sued Gawker for leaking a private tape, winning a $115 million judgment and changing how online media handles privacy.
Earlier this year, Hogan appeared on WWE’s Netflix debut to promote his Real American Beer. It wasn’t met with universal cheers—but still, there he was, in the spotlight.
Tributes Pour In
As expected, tributes have been pouring in. Ric Flair, Triple H, and countless others in the wrestling world shared their thoughts and memories.
Former President Donald Trump also paid tribute, calling Hogan a “great friend” and praising his charisma and cultural impact.
Here at MainEvent.News and Wrestling.News, the loss hits hard.
Hogan had recently launched a new wrestling venture, Real American Freestyle Wrestling, and was preparing to open a themed bar in New York City across from Madison Square Garden—a poetic tribute to where it all began.
I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When… pic.twitter.com/rOWLakMjr4
Hulk Hogan was one of my all-time favorites—as a kid, a teenager, and an adult. He was the first larger-than-life figure I ever saw on TV. The bandana, the mustache, the flexing, the leg drop—it was magic. He made you believe in heroes, even when life didn’t give you many.
We’re heartbroken here at Main Event News. Our love and condolences go out to his children, Nick and Brooke, and to everyone around the world who grew up chanting his name.
Say what you will about the ups and downs of his life—there’s no denying that Hulk Hogan changed pro wrestling forever. And that’s not just a headline. That’s a fact.
Rest easy, Hulkster. Thanks for the memories. Thanks for the magic. Hulkamania may have started in the ‘80s… but it’ll never die.Rest in Peace - HoganMainEvent.News | Backstage Take:
Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler—he was the embodiment of an era. From Saturday morning leg drops to headlining WrestleMania, Hogan was a part of our childhoods, our teenage years, and even our adult fandom. He defined what it meant to be a wrestling superstar. Here at MainEvent.News and Wrestling.News, this one hits hard, we write this with a tear in our eye. We send heartfelt condolences to his children, Nick and Brooke, and to all Hulkamaniacs around the world.
R.I.P. Terry Gene Bollea (Hulk Hogan) Born: August 11, 1953, Augusta, GA Died: July 24, 2025 (age 71 years), Clearwater, FL
