"The immortal" no more: Hulk Hogan dies at 71

The global sports and entertainment world is in mourning following the death of Terry Gene Bollea known to fans across the globe as Hulk Hogan who passed away at age 71.

A symbol of professional wrestling’s golden age, Hogan was one of the most influential athletes of all time, whose presence elevated wrestling into a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s and 1990s. Tributes have poured in worldwide, including from WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who shared a deeply moving message on his X account (formerly Twitter).

“WWE would not be where it is today without the larger-than-life characters that compete in the ring … and few, if any, loomed larger than Terry ‘Hulk Hogan’ Bollea.”

“He was the archetype of what it meant to be a ‘Superstar’ a global sensation that inspired millions to work hard at whatever it was they wanted to accomplish and a look that made him recognizable to fans around the world. Hulk Hogan, clad in red and yellow or nWo black and white, was simply put, iconic.”

“As a Real American or the leader of one of the industry’s biggest factions, he transcended and elevated the entire business to heights never before seen in every country and on every continent.”

“There was no one like The Hulkster and there very well may never be another. My family sends their condolences to his family, friends, and fans.”

From bass guitarist to the “Hulkamania” phenomenon

Born in Augusta, Georgia on August 11, 1953, and raised in Port Tampa, Florida, Hogan’s path to superstardom began in music, performing for over a decade as a bassist in Florida rock bands. After catching the attention of wrestling scouts, he trained under Hiro Matsuda famously breaking his leg in the first session and made his wrestling debut in 1977.

The nickname “Hulk” emerged when a talk show host noticed that Bollea’s enormous size dwarfed Incredible Hulk star Lou Ferrigno. Thus began the journey from Terry Boulder to the legendary Hulk Hogan.

Defining an era of wrestling

Hogan’s meteoric rise began after joining the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1983. With his unmatched charisma and patriotic energy, he quickly became a household name:

Capturing his first WWF Championship in 1984 by defeating The Iron Sheik.
Headlining eight of the first nine WrestleManias.
Forming iconic feuds with André the Giant, Randy Savage, and more.
Becoming the most requested celebrity for the Make-a-Wish Foundation in the 1980s.

His “Hulking up” routine, colorful promos, and electric crowd connection made him a true fan favorite around the world—including in Africa, where his presence helped introduce pro wrestling to a new generation.

Reinvention and the nWo legacy

In 1996, Hogan shocked the world by turning heel and reinventing himself as Hollywood Hogan in WCW. Leading the black-and-white-clad New World Order (nWo), he sparked a second wrestling boom during the “Monday Night War” against WWE.

His creative risk paid off, making him a villain fans loved to hate—and ultimately respect. He became a six-time WCW Champion and the face of wrestling’s boldest reinvention.

A final act of showmanship

Hogan returned to WWE in 2002 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice—once as a solo inductee and again with the nWo. His final wrestling appearance came in early 2025, during WWE’s Netflix debut, where he promoted his new venture, Real American Beer. That same year, he co-founded Real American Freestyle, showing that even in his 70s, Hogan’s drive hadn’t slowed.

Controversies and reconciliation

While Hogan’s career was filled with triumphs, it also faced setbacks. In 2015, leaked audio revealed racially offensive language that led to WWE severing ties. Though he later apologized and many wrestling peers came to his defense, the incident shadowed his legacy.

In 2018, WWE reinstated Hogan to the Hall of Fame, and in recent years, he had returned to hosting and legacy roles within the company. However, his political commentary in 2024 again drew public criticism.

Global and African influence

Across Africa, Hogan remains a beloved figure. In Nigeria, veteran wrestler Power Uti once cited Hogan as the inspiration for his own career. Fans across Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa recall Hogan’s matches as their first exposure to wrestling via local television in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

“He made wrestling feel like it was larger than life,” said South African wrestling promoter Sipho Maluleke. “He brought spectacle and strength to our screens.”

Tributes from the world over

Vince McMahon: Called Hogan “the greatest WWE Superstar of all time.”
Ric Flair: Said Hogan’s friendship “meant the world” to him.
Sylvester Stallone: Remembered Hogan as “absolutely wonderful” in Rocky III.
Donald Trump: Wrote, “MAGA all the way – Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: Stated Hogan “paved the road for all of us.”

A legend larger than life

From Thunderlips to Mr. America, from headlining WrestleMania to reinventing himself for each new generation, Hulk Hogan’s impact transcended borders and industries.

As Triple H said, “There was no one like The Hulkster, and there very well may never be another.”

Rest in power, Hulk Hogan. You slammed giants, inspired nations, and made millions believe in heroes.