On Thursday afternoon, wrestling, sports and pop culture fans across the world were stunned to learn about the passing of the iconic Hulk Hogan.
Police in Clearwater, FL responded to Hogan’s home after receiving a call about a cardiac arrest and rushed him to the hospital, were he was pronounced dead at the age of 71.
The loss hit the wrestling community hard, particularly the WWE, which Hogan helped elevate over his 40 years in wrestling.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” wrote WWE in a post on X. “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.”
Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, first burst on to the scene when he won the World Heavyweight Championship over the Iron Sheik in 1984.
In 1985, he headlined the first WrestleMania, which was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. That night he teamed up with The A-Team star, Mr. T to take on Rowdy Roddy Piper and Paul “Mr. Wonderful” Orndorff in a match that fueled the national growth of the WWF (now WWE).
Three years later, Hogan took on the legendary Andre the Giant, attracting approximately 80,000 fans to the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan. A few months later, the two had their historic rematch on NBC and drew an astounding 33 million viewers.
Hogan was a headliner in seven of the first eight WrestleMania events and won the WWF Heavyweight title five different times.
He became a part of mainstream culture, appearing in Rocky III as “Thunderlips” and inspiring millions of adoring “Hulkamania” fans across the globe to practice his trademark phrases and the “leg drop” finishing move of their 6-5, 320-pound hero.
Hogan appeared on talk shows and magazine covers, and his “bendems” and “stretch” toys flew off the shelves.
He had fans glued to the TV on Saturday mornings to watch Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling in 1985 and 1986.
He encouraged fans to drink milk, say their prayers and take their vitamins, and fans eagerly listened and followed all he said, for he was “The Hulkster” and could say or do no wrong.
Until he finally did.
In 1996, while working for World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Hogan transformed into “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan and stunned his fans by becoming a villain and a founding member of the New World Order (nWo) along with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.
It was one of the most shocking moments in wrestling history as the yellow-and-red headband and t-shirt ripping legend turned heel. To many, it was an unforgivable betrayal by their one-time hero.
But it worked for not only was Hogan on top of the sport again, he also helped propel WCW past WWE for 83 straight weeks after becoming a bad guy.
While that was shocking to everyone who followed wrestling and his career in particular, that’s not the “wrong” I was referring to.
That moment arrived on July 24th, 2015 when a sex tape involving Hogan and his infamous racist rant over his daughter’s dating choice was released.
“I mean, I don’t have double standards. I mean, I am a racist, to a point, f**king ni**ers,” Hogan proudly said. “But then when it comes to nice people and s**t, and whatever…I mean, I’d rather if she was going to f**k some ni**er, I’d rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall ni**er worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player! I guess we’re all a little racist. Fucking ni**er.”
He followed that up by being caught on tape using “ni**ger” in a conversation with his son Nick, who was in jail at the time.
After his hidden racism finally exposed, WWE removed him from its Hall of Fame (Class of 2005) and severed ties with the legend most responsible for its explosive rise.
