Hulk Hogan, the iconic professional wrestler whose real name is Terry Gene Bollea, has reportedly passed away. The WWE, where Hogan was a prominent figure, released a statement expressing regret over his death and acknowledging his meaningful role in the company’s global recognition during the 1980s.
“The WWE regrets that Hulk Hogan, a member of the WWE Hall of Fame, has died. One of the most recognized figures of pop culture, Hogan helped the WWE to reach the global recognition in the 80s,” the company stated on X. “The WWE extends its condolences to the family, friends and fanatics of Hogan.”
According to a statement from the city of Clearwater, Florida, emergency services responded to a report of an individual suffering cardiac arrest at Bollea’s residence. Firefighters and paramedics provided treatment before he was transported to Morton plant hospital,where he was pronounced deceased. TMZ was the first outlet to report the news.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Bollea, known for his muscular physique and catchphrases like “eat your vitamins and say your prayers,” was a central figure in professional wrestling’s “golden age.” His immense popularity and notable rivalries with wrestlers such as “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, andré the Giant, and “Macho man” Randy Savage were instrumental in transforming professional wrestling into a multi-million dollar industry during the 1980s and early 1990s.Bollea’s persona, both in and out of the ring, established him as a household name and a mainstream star, leading to film roles and widespread international fame.
Bollea’s career was not without controversy. In 2015, he was recorded using racist slurs, an incident that considerably impacted his public image among many wrestling fans. This controversy also played a pivotal role in the downfall of the Gawker website. Following a protracted legal battle over Gawker’s invasion of Bollea’s privacy by publishing a sex tape, a $115 million judgment against the website led to its bankruptcy and marked a significant moment in media law.
News in progress.
