By The Reporters.
(C) People.com
On July 24, 2025, the world of professional wrestling dimmed as Terry Gene Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, passed away at the age of 71. His death from cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home brought a thunderous chapter in entertainment history to a close. Yet, the echoes of “Hulkamania” continue to rumble across arenas and living rooms worldwide, as fans remember the man whose muscles were only matched by his magnetism, and whose larger-than-life persona redefined sports entertainment.
Born on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, Hogan wasn’t always the immortal titan we remember. He started as a struggling young athlete playing bass guitar before training under Hiro Matsuda, enduring a leg-breaking first session that tested his grit. But grit would define his career. By the early 1980s, he had burst into the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and with a combination of charisma, power, and marketing genius, “Hulkamania” was born. In 1984, Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik for the WWF Championship, igniting a cultural revolution that made wrestling mainstream.
Throughout the 1980s and early ’90s, Hogan headlined WrestleMania after WrestleMania, his presence so commanding that his name alone sold out arenas. His iconic match at WrestleMania III in 1987, where he lifted the 520-pound André the Giant and slammed him to the mat before over 93,000 roaring fans, became one of wrestling’s most legendary moments. Hogan wasn’t just a performer—he was an American folk hero. With his bandana, handlebar mustache, and golden tan, he inspired millions of young fans with his mantra: “Train, say your prayers, eat your vitamins.”
Yet Hogan wasn’t content to rest on his legacy. In the mid-1990s, he transformed again, shocking the world by turning heel as “Hollywood Hogan” and forming the New World Order (nWo) in WCW. This bold reinvention rejuvenated his career and gave birth to a new golden age of wrestling. The black-and-white clad villain was as magnetic as ever, proving that Hogan understood storytelling and spectacle in a way few wrestlers ever have. He blurred the line between hero and antihero, between showman and rebel, drawing fans deeper into the drama of the squared circle.
Beyond the ring, Hogan conquered entertainment media. He acted alongside Sylvester Stallone in Rocky III, starred in family-friendly movies like Mr. Nanny and Suburban Commando, and brought his larger-than-life personality to reality TV with Hogan Knows Best. Business ventures followed, including his Hogan’s Beach Shop stores and endorsements. Hogan became more than a wrestler—he was an enduring American icon, as recognizable as Superman or Elvis, with a brand that crossed generations.
However, his journey was not without controversy. A leaked tape in 2012 and racially charged remarks led to public backlash and his temporary removal from the WWE Hall of Fame. But like many wrestling stories, redemption was part of the script. Hogan issued public apologies, was reinstated in 2018, and honored again in 2020 with his second Hall of Fame induction as part of the nWo. In his final years, he remained active in fan events and social media, reflecting on his legacy with a mixture of humility and pride.
As Hulk Hogan took his final bow in 2025, tributes poured in from every corner of the wrestling world. Ric Flair, John Cena, Triple H, and countless others hailed him as the man who made wrestling global. Fans remembered not just the champion but the spirit of Hulkamania—of hope, strength, and never giving up. Hogan may be gone, but the legend lives on. In every chant of “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?”, his immortal spirit still slams through time.
Rest in power, Hulk Hogan. The 24-inch pythons may be still, but the world will never forget the man who brought thunder to the ring and heart to the fans.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
