The Rise, Controversies, and Enduring Legacy of Hulk Hogan

WWE has officially announced the death of Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea at the age of 71. He is survived by his third wife, Sky Daily, and his two children, Brooke and Nick.

TMZ initially broke the news of Hogan’s passing, which followed a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater Beach residence. First responders provided emergency care before transporting him to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Hogan launched his wrestling career in the late 1970s, but his rise to stardom came in the mid-1980s when he played a pivotal role in helping Vince McMahon expand the WWF from a regional promotion into a nationwide, highly lucrative brand.

During his early tenure with WWF, Hogan became the most recognizable wrestler of the era, famed for his entrance theme, memorable catchphrases, and signature red-and-yellow attire. Although his match style followed a simple formula, his magnetic personality made him the promotion’s biggest draw and a fan favorite.

Hogan’s defining moment came at WrestleMania III in 1987, where he faced Andre the Giant in a match charged with unprecedented anticipation. While the two had competed before, their bout at the Pontiac Silverdome stood out as a landmark event.

In the 2018 HBO documentary Andre the Giant, Hogan shared that he wasn’t sure if Andre would adhere to their planned match outcome. Ultimately, Andre allowed Hogan to win, and Hogan’s iconic bodyslam followed by victory cemented their match as a historic milestone in professional wrestling.

Hogan maintained his status as a top star well into the mid-1990s before departing WWF for Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Although his initial years in WCW were relatively uneventful, he eventually reemerged as a key figure for a new generation of wrestling fans.

In 1996, Hogan surprised audiences by turning heel and co-founding the New World Order (NWO) alongside Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. The NWO storyline became a cultural sensation, propelling WCW to outperform WWE in television ratings for an impressive 18 consecutive months.

Following WWE’s acquisition of WCW, Hogan returned to WWE in 2002 as his “Hollywood” Hogan persona and delivered a memorable WrestleMania 18 match against The Rock. He exited WWE again in 2003 and spent the next decade competing in various promotions, including TNA/Impact Wrestling.

In subsequent years, Hogan made sporadic WWE appearances at major events and found success beyond wrestling in the entertainment industry. He debuted on the big screen as Thunderlips in Rocky III (1982) and starred in the film Mr. Nanny and the television series Thunder in Paradise. In the mid-2000s, he and his family starred in the reality show Hogan Knows Best.

Throughout his life, Hogan faced numerous controversies. In 1985, actor Richard Belzer sued him after sustaining a head injury during a televised chokehold incident. Years later, Hogan testified in Vince McMahon’s federal steroid trafficking trial.

In 2012, Gawker leaked a private sex tape featuring Hogan and Heather Clem. Hogan sued the outlet and eventually won a $31 million settlement after prolonged litigation.

In July 2015, further footage from the sex tape emerged showing Hogan using racial slurs and admitting to being “a little racist.” WWE severed ties with him for several years before reconciling. When Hogan appeared on WWE Raw in January, fans responded with significant backlash.

In recent years, Hogan diversified his business ventures by opening a memorabilia shop in Florida, launching Real American Beer, and collaborating with Eric Bischoff to develop a freestyle wrestling promotion called Real American Freestyle.

Hogan also played a prominent role in the 2024 presidential election, delivering a speech at the Republican National Convention and introducing former President Donald Trump on the final night.

Despite facing criticism for his wrestling style and personal controversies, Hogan remained a major influence and a top attraction in professional wrestling, securing numerous championships and earning multiple Hall of Fame inductions throughout his six-decade career.