Legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan dies at 71

Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has passed away at 71 years old, TMZ Sports has confirmed. Medics were sent to the WWE legend’s Clearwater, Florida, residence early Thursday morning. With operators reporting it was for a “cardiac arrest.”

According to police, officials arrived at 9:51 AM after a call for help. Hogan was treated by Clearwater Fire and Rescue but was later declared dead at a nearby hospital. More details are expected during a police press conference later today. Just a few weeks ago, Hogan’s wife Sky had denied rumors that he was in a coma. She said his heart was strong, and he was recovering from a neck surgery done in May. At the time, media reports claimed he was on his deathbed, but family sources said he was only dealing with the side effects of surgery.

Hulk Hogan was one of the most famous professional wrestlers in the world. He became a global name in the 1980s with WWE and later WCW. With his blond mustache, large build, and signature bandana, he turned wrestling into a family-friendly sport. His 1984 match where he beat the Iron Sheik made him a pop culture icon. In 1996, Hogan changed his image by becoming a villain in the New World Order (NWO), which brought him more success. He had memorable matches with big stars like The Rock and Andre the Giant. Hogan was first inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005, removed in 2015 due to a controversy, and later re-inducted in 2020 as part of NWO.