Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies at 71 in Florida
Hogan, born Terry Bollea, was pronounced dead at a hospital following a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, police said. Authorities confirmed there were no signs of foul play.
A towering figure with a signature bandana, handlebar mustache, and '24-inch pythons,' Hogan was a household name by the mid-1980s.
He headlined the first WrestleMania in 1985 and became the face of 'Hulkamania,' captivating audiences with his charisma and powerful ring presence.
He won six WWE championships and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, later reinstated in 2018 after a suspension.
Beyond the ring, Hogan expanded his influence into pop culture, starring in movies, TV shows, and even reality television with Hogan Knows Best.
In recent years, he made headlines for his vocal support of U.S. President Donald Trump and was a high-profile guest at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Despite a scandal-ridden second act—including a racially charged controversy and a privacy lawsuit against Gawker Media—Hogan remained a beloved figure for many fans, symbolizing an era of wrestling superstardom.
WWE co-founder Vince McMahon described him as 'the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon.'
In his final months, Hogan was set to become the commissioner of the Real American Freestyle league, promoting it as the 'first unscripted pro wrestling' venture, with its debut scheduled for August 30.
He is survived by his legacy in sports entertainment and a generation of fans who grew up chanting his name. — Agencies
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Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies at 71 in Florida
FLORIDA — Hulk Hogan, the iconic face of professional wrestling who helped transform the WWE into a global phenomenon, died Thursday in Florida at the age of 71. Hogan, born Terry Bollea, was pronounced dead at a hospital following a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, police said. Authorities confirmed there were no signs of foul play. A towering figure with a signature bandana, handlebar mustache, and '24-inch pythons,' Hogan was a household name by the mid-1980s. He headlined the first WrestleMania in 1985 and became the face of 'Hulkamania,' captivating audiences with his charisma and powerful ring presence. He won six WWE championships and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, later reinstated in 2018 after a suspension. Beyond the ring, Hogan expanded his influence into pop culture, starring in movies, TV shows, and even reality television with Hogan Knows Best. In recent years, he made headlines for his vocal support of U.S. President Donald Trump and was a high-profile guest at the 2024 Republican National Convention. Despite a scandal-ridden second act—including a racially charged controversy and a privacy lawsuit against Gawker Media—Hogan remained a beloved figure for many fans, symbolizing an era of wrestling superstardom. WWE co-founder Vince McMahon described him as 'the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon.' In his final months, Hogan was set to become the commissioner of the Real American Freestyle league, promoting it as the 'first unscripted pro wrestling' venture, with its debut scheduled for August 30. He is survived by his legacy in sports entertainment and a generation of fans who grew up chanting his name. — Agencies
Arab News
3 days ago
- Arab News
Hogan is dead, but Hulkamania lives on
The news hit like a steel chair to the soul. On July 24, 2025, Terry Gene Bollea — the man the world knew as Hulk Hogan — passed away at his home in Clearwater, Florida, following a cardiac arrest. He was 71. While tributes poured in from across the US, few outside the region may realize the profound impact Hogan had on the Arab world — a place where Hulkamania was not just a pop culture phenomenon, but a childhood rite of passage. Born on Aug. 11, 1953, Hogan's rise to fame in the 1980s coincided with a time when American entertainment was beginning to seep into global consciousness. Long before satellite television or the internet's broadband revolution, a handful of American icons became unofficial ambassadors of 'Brand America.' Sylvester Stallone, Michael Jackson, and perhaps more than any of them, Hulk Hogan — with his bandana, handlebar mustache and booming charisma — became a household name from Riyadh to Rabat. In Saudi Arabia, Tuesday nights were sacred. Families gathered around their televisions to watch recorded World Wrestling Federation matches. Schoolchildren were allowed to stay up late, and living rooms erupted with excitement the moment Hogan's entrance music blared: 'I am a real American, I fight for the rights of every man.' It was not just a theme song — it was a declaration. Hogan was the hero who stood tall against the villains of the ring, and by extension, the world. He took on wrestling's most notorious 'baddies' — from the sumo-sized Yokozuna to the Machiavellian 'Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase, the monstrous Andre the Giant, and the flamboyant Ric Flair. But Hogan was not just a wrestler; he was a symbol. And when the Gulf War erupted in 1990, that symbol took on new meaning. As American forces mobilized to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation, many Arab children — raised on Hogan's battles against evil — saw him as a real-life Superman. WWE even introduced characters such as Sgt. Slaughter, who controversially turned heel by aligning with Iraq, setting the stage for Hogan to once again embody the American savior at WrestleMania VII. As American forces mobilized to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in 1990, many Arab children — raised on Hulk Hogan's battles against evil — saw him as a real-life Superman. Faisal J. Abbas Yet Hogan's strength was not just physical. His true power lay in his ability to evolve. In 1994, he shocked the wrestling world by defecting from WWF to its rival, World Championship Wrestling. Two years later, he did the unthinkable; he turned heel — wrestling jargon for becoming a villain. As 'Hollywood Hogan,' he led the New World Order, a faction that redefined wrestling's narrative and helped WCW to dominate the ratings during the infamous Monday Night Wars. Even in his final year, Hogan remained relevant. On July 18, 2024, just days after Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania, Hogan took the stage at the Republican National Convention. Ripping off his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance tee, he declared: 'Let Trumpmania run wild, brother!' For Hogan, it was not just politics — it was personal. 'When I saw him stand up with that fist in the air and the blood on his face — as a warrior, as a leader — I realized that's what America needs,' he told Fox News. Hogan's legacy is golden — forged in the squared circle, polished on the silver screen, and etched into the hearts of millions. He starred in films such as 'Rocky III,' 'Suburban Commando,' and 'Mr. Nanny,' and even had his own reality show, 'Hogan Knows Best.' But his greatest role was always as the immortal Hulkster — the man who taught generations to train hard, say their prayers, and eat their vitamins. He may be gone, but Hulkamania will most certainly live on for a very long time. • Faisal J. Abbas is the Editor-in-Chief of Arab News. X: @FaisalJAbbas
Arab News
4 days ago
- Arab News
Hulk Hogan, icon in professional wrestling, dies at age 71
CLEARWATER: Hulk Hogan, the mustachioed, headscarf-wearing icon in the world of professional wrestling, has died at the age of 71, Florida police and WWE said Thursday. In Clearwater, Florida, authorities responded to a call Thursday morning about a cardiac arrest. Hogan was pronounced dead at a hospital, police said in a statement on Facebook. Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was perhaps the biggest star in WWE's long history. He was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon. He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. Hogan was also a celebrity outside the wrestling world, appearing in numerous movies and television shows, including a reality show about his life on VH1, 'Hogan Knows Best.' Hogan's public persona has transcended the ring, making him a household name. He appeared in numerous movies — including the third 'Rocky' film, where he took on the title character, played by Sylvester Stallone. Hogan also had a reality show about his life on VH1, called 'Hogan Knows Best' in the early 2000s. The attention on the intimate details of Hogan's personal life has not always been welcomed by the superstar. A Florida jury sided with Hogan in 2016, awarding him $115 million in a lawsuit against Gawker Media for posting a video of him having sex with his former best friend's wife. Hogan contended the 2012 post violated his privacy. The lawsuit forced Gawker to shutter and was closely watched by First Amendment experts and media lawyers alike. WWE posted a note on X saying it was saddened to learn the WWE Hall of Famer had passed away. 'One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans,' it said.
