TMZ is reporting that WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has died at 71 years old. According to the site, medics were sent to his home in Clearwater, Florida, earlier today, with operators saying it was a result of a "cardiac arrest" (a heart attack, in other words).
There have been some bizarre rumours about Hogan's health in recent weeks, including claims that he was comatose, on his "deathbed," and unable to speak. Those close to him repeatedly denied the reports, putting any recent struggles down to his recovery from a neck procedure he underwent in May.
Earlier this year, Hogan and former WCW boss Eric Bischoff announced plans to launch Real American Freestyle, a real wrestling league, with the first show set to launch at the end of next month.
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, was born on August 11, 1953. He debuted as a professional wrestler in 1977, wrestling for the National Wrestling Alliance and Championship Wrestling from Florida. In 1979, he joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), initially managed by Freddie Blassie.
Hogan gained prominence in 1983, returning to WWF after a stint in the American Wrestling Association and Japan’s New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He won the WWF Championship in 1984, defeating The Iron Sheik, sparking "Hulkamania" and becoming a global celebrity. Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias, including a historic match against André the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987.
He held the WWF Championship five times between 1984 and 1993 and, in 1994, joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW), forming the New World Order (nWo) in 1996, turning heel. He won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship six times.
Hogan returned to WWE in 2002, winning the Undisputed Championship. He also appeared in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) from 2009 to 2013. Beyond wrestling, Hogan starred in films like No Holds Barred and Suburban Commandos, TV shows, and the reality series Hogan Knows Best. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
A controversial figure thanks to a leaked sex tape, which saw him make a series of racist comments, many of Hogan's fellow wrestlers have spoken publicly about no longer supporting him. He returned to RAW earlier this year to a chorus of boos (thought to be a result of his passionate support for President Donald Trump), and often told some pretty tall tales.
Despite that, he was beloved by many and a professional wrestling icon who helped turn WWE into a sports entertainment juggernaut and put WCW on the map before its eventual decline.
Our thoughts go out to Hogan's friends and family at this time.