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Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan died at 71 on July 24, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida. Hogan transformed wrestling, creating “Hulkamania” and joining the nWo.
Hulk Hogan passed away aged 71 (AP)
Wrestling icon Terry Gene Bollea, known worldwide by his ring name Hulk Hogan, passed away on Thursday (July 24, 2025) at the age of 71, following cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. The man who helped transform professional wrestling into mainstream entertainment and became one of the most recognisable figures in sports history leaves behind an unparalleled legacy that defined an entire era of American popular culture.
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The Birth of Hulkamania and Wrestling’s Golden Era
Born in Augusta, Georgia, on August 11, 1953, Hogan began his professional wrestling career in 1977 but achieved worldwide recognition after signing with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in December 1983. His heroic all-American persona helped usher in the 1980s professional wrestling boom, transforming the industry from a regional curiosity into a national phenomenon. Hogan’s charismatic personality, combined with his imposing 6’7″ frame, trademark blond horseshoe mustache, and red and yellow attire, made him the perfect ambassador for wrestling’s expansion into mainstream culture.
The phenomenon known as “Hulkamania” reached its zenith when Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik for the WWF Championship on January 23, 1984, at Madison Square Garden. This victory marked the beginning of a 1,474-day championship reign that remains one of the longest in wrestling history. During this era, Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleMania events, including the legendary encounter with André the Giant at WrestleMania III, which drew over 93,000 fans to the Pontiac Silverdome.
Hogan’s match with André the Giant on “WWF The Main Event” on February 5, 1988, still holds American television viewership records for wrestling with a 15.2 Nielsen rating and 33 million viewers. This extraordinary reach demonstrated wrestling’s penetration into American households and cemented Hogan’s status as a crossover star who transcended traditional sports entertainment boundaries.
Career Renaissance and the nWo Era
After departing WWF in 1993, Hogan signed with rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship six times. However, his most significant career transformation came in 1996 when he shocked the wrestling world by turning heel and adopting the “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan persona as the leader of the New World Order (nWo) stable.
This career renaissance demonstrated Hogan’s remarkable adaptability as a performer. The nWo storyline, with its signature black and white aesthetic and rebellious attitude, helped WCW compete directly with WWE during the “Monday Night Wars” of the late 1990s. Hogan’s heel turn was so effective that it revitalised his career and proved his ability to reinvent himself after more than a decade as wrestling’s premier hero.
The faction’s catchphrase, “When you’re nWo, you’re nWo for life,” became emblematic of the group’s lasting impact on wrestling culture. Hogan headlined WCW’s flagship event Starrcade three times during this period, including Starrcade 1997, which became the most profitable WCW pay-per-view ever.
Championships and Accolades
Throughout his career, Hogan accumulated numerous championships and honours that solidified his legendary status. He was a six-time WWE Champion and six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, making him a 12-time world champion overall. His first WWE Championship reign of 1,474 days remains one of the longest in the championship’s history.
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 as an individual performer and again in 2020 as a member of the New World Order, making him one of only eight wrestlers to be inducted twice. He was also the first wrestler to win consecutive Royal Rumble matches, achieving this feat in 1990 and 1991.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated recognised Hogan’s impact on the industry by naming him most inspirational wrestler in 1983, most popular wrestler in 1985, 1989, and 1990, and pro wrestler of the year in 1987, 1994, and 1997. The Make-A-Wish Foundation reported that Hogan was the most requested person terminally ill children wanted to meet.
Enduring Legacy and Cultural Significance
Hulk Hogan’s influence extended far beyond wrestling rings and movie screens. His catchphrases, including “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” and “Train hard, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins,” became part of American vernacular. These simple but powerful messages resonated with multiple generations of fans and embodied the values he promoted throughout his career.
Hogan’s ability to connect with audiences across demographic lines was perhaps his greatest strength as a performer. Whether inspiring children to live healthy lifestyles or entertaining adults with his larger-than-life personality, he possessed a rare charisma that transcended traditional entertainment boundaries. His impact on professional wrestling cannot be overstated – he helped transform it from a niche form of entertainment into a billion-dollar industry with global reach.
The transformation of Terry Bollea into Hulk Hogan represents one of the most successful character creations in entertainment history. His influence can be seen in every aspect of modern professional wrestling, from the emphasis on larger-than-life personalities to the integration of mainstream media coverage and celebrity involvement.
Hulk Hogan’s death marks the end of an era in professional wrestling and American popular culture. From his early days as a bassist in Florida rock bands to becoming the most recognisable wrestler in history, Hogan’s journey embodied the American dream while inspiring millions worldwide. Despite personal controversies and family challenges in recent years, his contributions to entertainment and his role in elevating professional wrestling to unprecedented heights remain undeniable.
His larger-than-life persona, unwavering determination, and ability to reinvent himself ensured that Hulkamania will continue running wild in the hearts and minds of fans for generations to come. The man who once proclaimed himself “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan has indeed achieved a form of immortality through his lasting impact on sports entertainment and American culture.
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you live updates, breaking news, opinions and photos from the wide world of sport. Follow @News18Sports
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you live updates, breaking news, opinions and photos from the wide world of sport. Follow @News18Sports
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