Latest news with #professionalwrestling
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE Releases Statement Following Hulk Hogan's Death
WWE Releases Statement Following Hulk Hogan's Death originally appeared on Parade. World Wrestling Entertainment has released a statement following the death of WWE legend Hulk Hogan. According to TMZ, Hogan passed away at his Clearwater, Florida home on the morning of Thursday, July 24. His cause of death is unconfirmed. Via a statement on X, WWE said, "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has 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." RELATED: In the replies, WWE fans left tributes to Hogan, with many calling him an "all-time great." "How you feel about him personally aside, you can't deny he forever changed professional wrestling. RIP." wrote one fan. "The man who was one of the few that got me in to watching [WWE] all those years ago now R.I.P Brother." said another. "Ohhhh damn!!! Now I feel even more sad that the WWE fans booed him the last time he appeared in front of them just to go like this! Truly sad. So sad. May God grant him peace." added a third. Hogan first rose to fame as a professional wrestler for WWE and is credited with transforming wrestling into a family entertainment sport. He is remembered for his theatrics in the ring which exposed the media and entertainment company to a wider audience and drew more fans to the sport. Hogan is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame. Hogan is survived by his wife Sky Daily and his children Brooke Hogan and Nick Hogan. 🎬 WWE Releases Statement Following Hulk Hogan's Death first appeared on Parade on Jul 24, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Pro Wrestlers Who Took The Industry Mainstream And Fueled Its Rise
The A-Team TV Series (Season 4 Episode 7 - "Body Slam") from 1985. Mr. T and Hulk Hogan wearing ... More their Hulkamania shirts. (Photo by: NBC via Getty Images) Professional wrestling has recently experienced a surge in popularity, mainly reflected in its profits. Although television viewership has declined, the wrestling industry today is financially thriving due to revenue streams such as media rights deals, sponsorships, and live events. This pertains mostly to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), which is considered the top brand in the industry. According to a recent report from TKO Group Holdings, WWE generated $391.5 million in total revenue in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 24 percent increase from 2024. Like most industries, success did not happen overnight. Since the 1940s, professional wrestling has grown in popularity, thanks to its creative characters, stellar performances, and broad appeal to a mainstream audience. While the industry has experienced peaks and valleys, several notable in-ring performers have elevated the sport. So, which in-ring performers have been instrumental to the growth of professional wrestling? Who are some of the most impactful professional wrestlers in history? The 'First Golden Age' in Professional Wrestling At the turn of the 20th century, wrestling matches were typically featured carnivals or fairs. Lou Thesz, who began his career in the 1930s, played a pioneering role in professional wrestling gaining notoriety. He invented several moves and held the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) title for a total of 13 years, even competing in matches internationally. The 'First Golden Age' in wrestling occurred roughly from the late 1940s through the 1960s. While Thesz continued to make important contributions, the most popular character during this time was Gorgeous George, a pompous and flamboyant persona who brought a theatrical element to the ring, along with mainstream appeal. Gorgeous George was an effective self-promoter, and his character was a major influence on boxer Muhammad Ali and musician James Brown, as noted in Little Village Magazine. El Santo in a poster illustration for the movie "SANTO EN EL MUSEO DE CERA" or "SANTO IN THE WAX ... More MUSEUM." Mexican poster art, 1963. (Photo by LMPC via Getty Images) During this era, the sport was also gaining popularity in Mexico and Japan. One of the most iconic international wrestlers of all time, El Santo, became a cultural hero in Mexico. He is widely considered the most popular luchador in history. His ring attire featured an iconic silver mask along with silver tights. What many do not realize is that El Santo may have been the most impactful wrestler on a national scale that the sport has ever seen based on his crossover appeal into mainstream culture. He was a larger-than-life figure and a symbol of justice for many Mexican people, starring in over 50 films and being featured in a comic book series that ran 35 years. As a testament to his cultural significance, his funeral was among the largest in Mexican history. Rikidōzan had similar impact in Japan. Though he was born in North Korea, Rikidōzan became a symbol of strength and resilience for Japanese people after World War II. He is credited with establishing professional wrestling in Japan. According to the Sportster, Rikidōzan's matches were so popular that they sparked a nationwide increase in the purchase of color televisions. His series of matches with Lou Thesz in the 1950s were instrumental in the growth of the sport. During the 1960s, Bruno Sammartino was arguably the most popular wrestler in the United States. Born in Italy, he became especially popular among Italian Americans, who strongly identified with him. Wrestling in front of sold out crowds, Sammartino helped make Madison Square Garden a premier wrestling venue. He held the WWE title for a total of 4,040 days across two separate title reigns—a record that still stands. The 'Second Golden Age' in Professional Wrestling PONTIAC, MICHIGAN- MARCH 29, 1987: Andre The Giant faces off with Hulk Hogan during WrestleMania III ... More on March 29, 1987 at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. (Photo by WWE/WWE via Getty Images) Between the mid-1970s and early 1980s, André the Giant was arguably the most popular professional wrestler in the world. At 7 feet 4 inches tall and weighing over 500 pounds, he was a physical specimen and his matches were a major attraction. André starred in the movie The Princess Bride, a cult classic. His WrestleMania III match against Hulk Hogan was a major reason why the sporting event broke indoor attendance records in the United States. Along with former WWE owner and promoter Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan played a pivotal role in elevating professional wrestling into the mainstream. He was largely responsible for ushering in the 'Second Golden Age' of wrestling, which was arguably the most popular era in the sport's history, lasting from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. 'Hulk-a-Mania' was a global phenomenon that centered around the values of the Hulk Hogan character: train hard, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins. He was stood for patriotic principles and wore his heart on his sleeve. With Hogan's ascent, the industry rose to epic proportions. His cameo in Rocky III gave wrestling mainstream attention, along with his cartoon called Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling, which was broadcast on Saturday mornings in the mid-1980s. WWE began cross-promoting with other industries, such as music (e.g. MTV), and featured pop culture stars like Cyndi Lauper and Mr. T in their programming. WWE's Attitude Era, WCW, and the Industry's Revival After a dip in popularity, the wrestling industry made a comeback in the late-1990s. One of the main catalysts was the NWO storyline in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where Hulk Hogan demonstrated his versatility by reinventing himself as a heel (villain). At the time, WWE and WCW were involved in a bitter television ratings war, which elevated wrestling's popularity worldwide. Although WCW became popular and profitable, WWE's response was 'The Attitude Era,' an adult-themed and edgier brand of programming, which broke records for cable television ratings, pay-per-view buy rates, and revenue generation. The most impactful star during the Attitude Era was Stone Cold Steve Austin, who played a major role in WWE's record-breaking performance. Austin's peak popularity coincided with WWE's period of prosperity. His merchandise sales were off the charts, with his most popular T-shirt featuring the phrase 'Austin 3:16.' Boxing star and pop culture icon Mike Tyson's involvement with Austin in WrestleMania XIV helped turn the tide of the Monday Night War. WCW found mainstream success by featuring Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone in a tag-team match involving Hulk Hogan—remarkably, during the 1998 NBA Finals. RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - APRIL 15, 2011: Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) and Vin Diesel (R) pose for ... More photographers during the premiere of the movie "Fast and Furious 5" at Cinepolis Lagoon on April 15, 2011 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/LatinContent via Getty Images) During WWE's Attitude Era, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson was another big reason for the industry's growth. Known for his wit and charisma, The Rock has become the most accomplished actor of all professional wrestlers, starring in movies such as The Scorpion King, Fast Five, and Jumanji. He is considered the wealthiest wrestler in history, with an estimated net worth of around $800 million, according to Sports Illustrated. WWE's PG Era and Where Wrestling Stands Now In the 2000s and 2010s, professional wrestling returned to family friendly programming. The next big star, John Cena, served as WWE's top ambassador during what is referred to as 'The PG Era." According to a tweet from ESPN's financial expert Michele Steele sent in January 2012, Cena generated over $100 million in revenue for WWE in 2011. His global impact further stems from his involvement with the Make-a-Wish Foundation where he has granted more than 650 wishes—a record for celebrities. He is also transitioning to a Hollywood career. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 21, 2015: John Cena standing with children from Make-A-Wish event celebrating ... More of his 500th Wish Granting Milestone at Dave & Buster's Time Square on August 21, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/WireImage) Many other wrestling stars have contributed to the industry's rise and mainstream appeal through creative style, in-ring work, or longevity. Sting and The Undertaker demonstrated amazing longevity, while Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey bridged MMA with the professional wrestling audience. Bret Hart expanded the sport's international appeal with his technical style, while Ric Flair's persona became popular among Hip-Hop artists. Regardless of the era, recognizing the craft's origins is important to understanding its evolution. Today's professional wrestlers are forging their own path, and achieving success doing it, but the pioneers who built the business should never be forgotten.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NCW's TJ Jefferson Reacts to Hulk Hogan's Passing
Rich Eisen and 'No-Contest Wrestling' co-host TJ Jefferson reflect on the passing of Hulk Hogan and his impact on professional wrestling and it's growth in popularity over the last three decades.
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The Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
From Wrestlemania to MAGA-land: Hulk Hogan and Donald Trump's friendship through the years
President Donald Trump 's decades-long friendship with Hulk Hogan was forged over a love of professional wrestling but developed into a political alliance that eventually culminated in Hogan earning a spot in the president's trusted circle. Beginning in the 1980s, the two men embarked on parallel journeys to ultimate fame in their respective careers while maintaining a relationship that benefitted one another. Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, died on July 24 at the age of 71. The president remembered his 'great friend' in a post on Truth Social, calling him 'strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.' 'He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive,' Trump said. 'To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!' A start in the wrestling world Trump and Hogan first met in the 1980s when both were budding celebrities known for their over-the-top ways. Hogan, standing at 6'7' and weighing approximately 300 pounds, was a wrestling star who headlined multiple WrestleMania events, including WrestleMania IV and V held at Trump Plaza in 1989. Trump, a titan of the real estate industry of New York at the time, sponsored the events and sat ringside. 'My first interaction with Trump was WrestleMania four and five, and you know, I didn't think he'd come to the show. But he was there early, came in the dressing room, met all the wrestlers,' Hogan told PBD Podcast last year while recalling his first meeting with Trump. At WrestleMania V, Trump once again sat ringside, this time watching as Hogan defeated André the Giant. 'He's the same guy now that he was back then,' Hogan told PBD Podcast. 'He hasn't changed a bit. I mean, he's just a quality person.' The transition to the MAGA world Hogan wasn't always a MAGA Republican; in fact, he endorsed former president Barack Obama up until his re-election in 2012. After that, Hogan changed his tune and when Trump stepped into the political ring as a candidate contender in 2016, Hogan jumped on board. While he did not issue a public endorsement of Trump until 2024, Hogan said he did support Trump in 2016. The only hint of that Hogan gave publicly was in 2015 when he suggested he could be Trump's running mate. 'I don't want to be in the ring with any candidates, I want to be Trump's running mate," Hogan told TMZ at the time when asked which 2016 candidate he would get into the ring with. "Did you hear that?" he said. "Vice President Hogan?" Ultimately, Trump went with Mike Pence as his running mate. But Hogan would eventually make an appearance on stage with Trump when he spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention and Trump's Madison Square Garden rally. But in between Trump's 2016 presidential win and 2024 presidential win, Hogan experienced some life events that brought him closest to the MAGA world. In 2016, Hogan filed a $100 million lawsuit against former pop culture blog Gawker for publishing an excerpt of his sex tape. The lawsuit was backed by billionaire Peter Thiel, who had also been subjected to gossip spread by Gawker after the online blog outed him. Hogan eventually won the lawsuit, initially for $140 million, but settled with Gawker for $31 million. That ultimately led to Gawker 's closing. The lawsuit occurred at the same time Trump was unleashing his anger at the media, branding many as 'fake news.' Some, including Brian Knappenberger, who directed a documentary on Hogan's lawsuit, believed there were 'direct parallels' between the Gawker suit and Trump's rise to fame. 'MAGA all the way' Hogan decided to use his theatrical personality to endorse and advocate for Trump at the RNC after seeing the president survive an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. 'As an entertainer, I try to stay out of politics,' Hogan said on stage at the convention, wearing a red bandana. 'But after everything that's happened to our country over the past four years, and everything that happened last weekend, I can no longer stay silent.' Tapping into his entertainment background, Hogan decided to endorse the president by yelling into the microphone while ripping his shirt off with his bare hands to reveal a 'Trump Vance 2024' tank top underneath, flexing his muscles the entire time. 'Let TrumpMania run wild, brother!' he shouted. 'Let TrumpMania rule again! Let TrumpMania make America great again!' In remembering his friend, Trump recalled Hogan's 'absolutely electric speech' at the RNC. 'That was one of the highlights of the entire week,' Trump said after Hogan's death. Hogan tapped into that same energy again in October 2024 – this time wearing a red and yellow feathered boa. 'We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster,'' Trump said after his death. 'Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way.'
National Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- National Post
Toronto referee remembers Hulk Hogan, the man behind the myth
TORONTO — Even as Hulkamania was catching fire around the world, former WWE referee Jimmy Korderas says Hulk Hogan always treated him like 'one of the boys.' Article content When Korderas joined what was then called the WWF in 1985, one of his first jobs was picking up wrestlers from the airport and driving them to Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. Article content 'Hulk was one of the first guys I had to pick up, and right away, he made me feel comfortable and at home, like I belonged,' says Korderas, a Toronto native. Article content On one occasion, while giving Hogan and his then-wife Linda a ride, Korderas caught Hogan's eyes in the rear-view mirror as Linda gushed about Toronto. Article content 'The entire time Linda was talking about how beautiful the city is, this is her first time, oh my goodness. I could see Hulk's eyes going, 'Oh boy,'' he laughs. Article content 'When we got to the building, he pulled me aside and said, 'Brother, I'm sorry.' I said, 'For what?' He said, 'She kept going on and on.' I got a chuckle out of it and so did he. That's the nature he had … Here's this megastar and he's concerned about my needs.' Article content Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, died Thursday at 71. Article content Known for his stars-and-stripes swagger, handlebar moustache and chest-thumping catchphrases, Hogan was the face of professional wrestling's golden era and one of the most recognizable pop culture figures of the 1980s. Article content Korderas would referee many of Hogan's matches over the years and says he felt 'like a kid in a candy store' doing so. Article content 'You're trying to curb your emotions while you're out there trying to do your job, but at the same time you're thinking, 'Oh my God, I'm in here with Hulk Hogan,'' says the 63-year-old, reached by phone Thursday in Toronto. Article content Article content 'He was the guy. He was the catalyst. If it wasn't for him, I don't think wrestling would have taken off the way it did, hit the mainstream the way it did and become the global juggernaut it is today.' Article content Korderas vividly recalls officiating several hard-hitting bouts between Hogan and Mr. Perfect, but one that looms especially large is the inaugural Survivor Series in 1987, when Hogan's team battled Andre the Giant's in a stacked main event. Article content 'I have this picture of myself and (referee) Joey Marella in the ring trying to keep Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan separated,' he says. Article content 'Other guys got a great reaction from the crowd, whether it was cheering or booing, but it was different when Hogan entered the ring … He would flex for the crowd, he'd put his hand to his ear, he would pose and that got incredible reactions. He knew it was more about the entertainment aspects as opposed to the actual technical aspect of pro wrestling.' Article content Years later, Hogan reminded the world of his unmatched ability to command a crowd at WrestleMania X8 in Toronto in 2002, when he faced Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson in a blockbuster showdown. Hogan was firmly in his villainous 'Hollywood' persona, while The Rock was WWE's top babyface — but the Toronto crowd flipped the script and threw its support behind Hogan.
