Hulk Hogan dies at 71: Tributes pour in for WWE legend — follow live updates

Yahoo

3 days ago

The professional wrestling icon and entertainer died in Clearwater, Fla., on Thursday morning.
Hulk Hogan, the professional wrestling icon credited with helping turn pro-wrestling into a global phenomenon, has died after paramedics were dispatched to his home in Florida following reports of a cardiac arrest. He was 71.
Police in Clearwater, Fla., said on Thursday that they were called to his home, where they found him unresponsive. The wrestling legend was treated before being brought to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hogan gained fame as a member of the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) and was known for dramatically ripping off his shirt as he entered the ring.
Tributes have been pouring in following Hogan's death. Referring to him as the "Hulkster," President Trump described Hogan as "a great friend" and "MAGA all the way." Vince McMahon, the co-founder and former CEO of WWE, called Hogan "the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME."
Follow the blog below for the latest updates and reactions to Hogan's death.
In an Instagram post, actor Sylvester Stallone reflected on his time filming Rocky III with Hogan in 1982, when Hogan was 26 years old.
"He was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special," Stallone wrote. "My heart breaks."
Stallone would later induct Hogan into the WWE Hall of Fame, in 2005.
Professional wrestler and Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle posted a heartfelt tribute to the "Hulkster" on X, thanking him for opening doors to many people in the wrestling business. "There would not be a Kurt Angle, without the American Made, Hulk Hogan," he wrote. "My heart and prayers go out to his family. We lost a real icon today."
In the world of 1990s WWF rivalries, the Undertaker was positioned as a dark villain, contrasting Hulk Hogan's heroic, all-American character. The wrestler known as the Undertaker posted a tribute to Hogan on social media, writing, "The wrestling world has lost a true legend."
WWE Hall of Famer and former commentator John Layfield said Hulk Hogan partly inspired his wrestling career. "There will never be another. Hulkamania never dies," he wrote in a post on social media.
For many people, the last time they saw Hulk Hogan was last July during the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he praised Donald Trump as a 'gladiator' and his 'hero" before ripping his shirt off in signature fashion.
'Let Trumpamania run wild, brother!' shouted Hogan on the final night of the convention. 'Let Trumpamania rule again! Let Trumpamania make America great again!'
President Trump posted a tribute on social media to Hulk Hogan, who endorsed him at the Republican National Convention ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster.' Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week. He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive. To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!
Former WWF professional wrestler Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake said he was "devastated" by Hogan's death.
"Through the good times and the bad, I always loved my brother Terry!" he wrote on X. "I am devastated by the loss of my friend, I only wish we had time to mend our broken friendship."
Brutus, whose real name is Edward Leslie, added, "Until I see you Brother, in the big squared circle in the sky! I love you."
Charlotte Flair, Ric Flair's daughter and a professional wrestler herself, paid tribute to Hogan in an X post.
"When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan," she wrote. Ric Flair expressed a similar sentiment in his own tribute post, saying Hogan was one of the first people to visit him "When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living."
Charlotte Flair said that her "heart breaks for Nick and Brooke," Hogan's children.
"Rest in peace, brother," she added.
Clearwater Police Major Nate Burnside made the following statement to reporters on Thursday afternoon:
Just before 10 a.m. today, Clearwater Fire and Rescue, along with the Clearwater Police Department, responded to a house in the 1000 block of Eldorado Avenue for a medical-related call. It was discovered at that time Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was experiencing a serious medical-related issue. Personnel provided medical treatment at that time and transported Mr. Bollea to Morton Plant Hospital, where he died at 11:17 a.m. The Clearwater Police Department is conducting a death investigation, which is standard on these types of cases. There are no signs of foul play or suspicious activity related to this call for service at this time.
Fellow professional wrestler Jake "the Snake" Roberts reacted to the news of Hogan's death on X, saying it was "hard to put into words what Terry 'Hulk Hogan' Bollea meant to professional wrestling and entertainment."
"He may be gone," Roberts wrote, "but his memory and legacy will live forever."
House Speaker Mike Johnson posted a tribute to Hogan on social media, recalling fond memories of the wrestling star, from his childhood to recently when campaigning with him as a supporter of President Trump during his 2024 White House run. "I always saw him as a giant in stature and in life," Johnson wrote. Lee Greenwood, singer-songwriter of "God Bless the USA," which has been played at Trump rallies, also paid tribute to the late wrestler.
Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, ventured outside the wrestling ring in the mid 2000s. The '80s wrestling star had a reality TV show with his family called Hogan Knows Best. The VH1 series debuted in 2005 and took viewers inside the Hogan home, capturing marital tension with his then-wife Linda and teenage growing pains as a protective father to his son, Nick, and daughter, Brooke.
The series ran for four seasons until 2007.
Fellow WWE Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter reacted to the news on X, saying he was "saddened" to hear about Hogan's passing.
"I Guess God Needed An Incredible Angel," he wrote.
Fellow wrestling legend and longtime friend Ric Flair reacted in a post on X saying he was "absolutely shocked" to hear the news about Hogan's death.
"Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father!" he wrote, adding that Hogan was among those who visited him in the hospital when he was ill. "No One Will Ever Compare To You!"
Hulk Hogan and his wife, Sky Daily Hogan, were baptized in December 2023. Hogan shared a post on Instagram that the pair were baptized during a ceremony at Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Florida. The wrestling icon, who was 70 years old at the time, wrote in the caption: "Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life. No worries, no hate, no judgment… only love!"
Days before Hulk Hogan's death, Jimmy Hart, his longtime manager, refuted reports of Hogan's declining health.
"Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal!" Hart wrote in a post on X on July 22. "Last night at karaoke with Nick was absolutely fantastic, baby!!!"
Last month, radio host Bubba the Love Sponge said that he was told Hogan was near death.
'It's not good,' the host said on June 18. "There are phone calls being made to various family members about getting to town to come say your goodbyes."
Donald Trump Jr. and Republican Reps. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Elise Stefanik of New York paid tribute to Hogan by sharing photos from the Republican National Convention last year. Hogan spoke at the event, calling Donald Trump a "gladiator" and his "hero," and brought the theatrics of the wrestling ring to the convention stage when he shredded his shirt. "Let Trumpamania run wild, brother!" Hogan shouted.
The Clearwater, Fla., police department posted a statement to its Facebook page confirming Hulk Hogan's death.
"A 71-year-old resident, Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased," authorities wrote.
According to the Yahoo Sports combat website Uncrowned, Hogan died after suffering from cardiac arrest Thursday morning.
WWE posted a brief statement on X in response to the news of Hulk Hogan's death.