Marquette, MI – July 25th, 2025 – Yesterday, Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea, one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling history, passed away at age 71. Hogan helped transform wrestling into a global entertainment powerhouse, helping to bring professional wrestling from regional circuits to national television and ultimately increasing the World Wrestling Entertainment’s (then called the World Wrestling Federation) popularity. Without Hogan’s early mainstream appeal, the wrestling boom of the 80s may not have been possible.
In his time with the World Wrestling Federation, Hogan headlined the first nine WrestleMania events. His most popular moment came at WrestleMania III where he slammed Andre the Giant, all 520 pounds, to the mat. During the 90s, Hogan turned heel (bad guy), inventing himself as “Hollywood Hogan” with the NWO in WCW. He became a 12-time World Champion and the first wrestler to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches (1990 – 1991).
Even people who are not fans of wrestling will recognize Hogan’s iconic bright red and yellow ring gear and his catchphrase, “What you gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” Hogan’s fame offered him the opportunity to star in movies like No Holds Barred (1989), Suburban Commando (1991), and his TV show, Thunder In Paradise.
Many current WWE superstars looked up to Hogan. The Miz (Mike Mizanin) had this to say following his death. “When I was a kid, I ate my vitamins, said my prayers because Hulk Hogan told me to. He was someone I looked up to; a larger-than-life presence I copied constantly growing up. The voice, flexing, charisma. He made you want to be bold, loud, and confident.”
Hogan joins an exclusive list of WWE superstars who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame twice. Hogan was first inducted in 2005 and later as a member of the NWO in 2020. He joins superstars like Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Booker T., Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Triple H.
Hogan passed away yesterday, around 11:00 am, when he suffered a cardiac arrest. Hulk Hogan’s legacy will live on forever as he helped shape modern pro wrestling and brought it to the mainstream it is today.
