Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies aged 71

Legendary professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, has died at the age of 71.

This was revealed yesterday by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

WWE said Hogan passed away yesterday in Clearwater, Florida, after suffering cardiac arrest.

They shared that he was pronounced dead after emergency responders transported him to Morton Plant Hospital.

Authorities say there were no signs of foul play, though investigations are ongoing.

Hogan was one of the most iconic figures in sports entertainment, playing a key role in propelling WWE to global fame in the 1980s and 1990s.

With his signature catchphrases “say your prayers and eat your vitamins” and feuds with wrestling greats like André the Giant and Randy Savage, he helped define wrestling’s “golden era.” WWE hailed him as “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures” in a tribute post.

In the mid-1990s, Hogan shocked fans by leaving WWE for rival WCW, where his heel turn into “Hollywood Hogan” helped the company briefly surpass WWE in ratings.

However, his career later faltered with controversial storylines and a lackluster run in TNA Wrestling.

Hogan’s legacy was further marred by a 2015 scandal involving a leaked sex tape in which he used racial slurs.

WWE cut ties with him, although he later returned in a limited capacity. The tape also led to a high-profile lawsuit that bankrupted Gawker Media.

In recent years, Hogan remained a divisive figure, receiving mixed reactions from fans.

He had recently helped launch a new wrestling promotion, Real American Freestyle, with its inaugural event scheduled for August 30.

The company’s CEO mourned his passing, calling him a champion “in spirit.”

Hulk Hogan leaves behind a complex legacy as both a wrestling icon and a controversial figure an enduring symbol of professional wrestling’s rise into mainstream entertainment.