Hulk Hogan Remembered by Trump, WWE, Wrestling Icons \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Professional wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has died at 71 in Clearwater, Florida. The WWE legend, born Terry Bollea, was one of wrestling’s most influential figures and a global pop culture phenomenon. Tributes poured in from President Trump, WWE stars, and fans worldwide.
Quick Looks
- Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, passed away at 71 in Clearwater, Florida.
- He was WWE’s biggest superstar and a pop culture legend.
- President Trump, Vince McMahon, Ric Flair, and others shared tributes.
- Hogan starred in movies and had a hit reality show, Hogan Knows Best.
- His signature look included a handlebar mustache and blond hair.
- Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice.
- His passing marks the end of an era in wrestling history.
- Fans and celebrities remembered Hogan’s influence and legacy.
Deep Look
The unmistakable voice. The handlebar mustache. The red and yellow bandanas. The thunderous leg drops. For generations of fans around the world, Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a professional wrestler — he was professional wrestling.
Now, that booming voice has been silenced.
Terry Bollea, better known by his legendary ring name Hulk Hogan, died Thursday at the age of 71 in Clearwater, Florida, leaving behind a legacy that transcends sport, entertainment, and time. His passing triggered a tidal wave of tributes from fans, celebrities, wrestlers, political leaders, and cultural commentators who remembered him not only as the biggest name in wrestling but also as a symbol of a different era in American pop culture.
From Terry Bollea to Hulkamania: A Star is Born
Born in Augusta, Georgia, and raised in Tampa, Florida, Bollea began his wrestling career in the late 1970s before joining the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) in the early ’80s. His rise coincided with a perfect storm: cable TV’s explosion, Vince McMahon’s bold vision for global sports entertainment, and America’s hunger for colorful heroes.
By 1984, Hulk Hogan had become the face of wrestling and arguably one of the most famous people on the planet. His win over The Iron Sheik for the WWF Championship sparked the birth of Hulkamania — a movement fueled by catchphrases, muscle poses, and the booming chant of “Hogan! Hogan! Hogan!”
He wasn’t just a wrestler. He was America’s hero in the ring. With his “say your prayers, take your vitamins, and believe in yourself” mantra, Hogan was presented as a larger-than-life good guy, body-slamming villains and inspiring kids to do the right thing.
His presence helped WWF launch WrestleMania, professional wrestling’s answer to the Super Bowl. Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias and wrestled iconic matches against legends like André the Giant, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, and The Rock.
Hogan Outside the Ring: A Pop Culture Phenomenon
Few wrestlers have ever crossed over into mainstream media as effortlessly as Hogan. His face was everywhere — from cereal boxes to Saturday morning cartoons (Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling) to film and television. He starred in family-friendly movies such as Mr. Nanny and Suburban Commando, but it was his appearance as “Thunderlips” in Rocky III that first made Hollywood take notice.
Later, his VH1 reality series Hogan Knows Best offered fans a glimpse into his family life and introduced him to a new generation. While the show later became mired in scandal and strained relationships, it further cemented Hogan’s place as a media staple — not just for wrestling fans, but for American households.
A Divisive Legacy: Highs, Lows, and Redemption
Despite Hogan’s success, his career was not without controversy. Over the years, he was embroiled in legal battles, including a high-profile lawsuit against Gawker Media that resulted in a $140 million verdict in his favor after the outlet released a private sex tape. That case ultimately bankrupted Gawker.
In 2015, Hogan faced public backlash after the leak of a recording in which he made racist comments. WWE cut ties with him at the time, erasing his presence from their platforms. The incident tarnished his image significantly, and he later apologized, though the damage lingered.
Still, the wrestling community — known for both its passionate loyalty and complex moral calculus — ultimately welcomed Hogan back. In 2018, he was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame and began making sporadic appearances at special events, including WrestleMania.
The Tributes: From Ringside to the White House
Hogan’s death has unified voices across industries — from politics and entertainment to pro wrestling and sports journalism.
President Donald Trump, who worked closely with Hogan during his WWE appearances and 2007 WrestleMania involvement, described him as a “great friend” and “MAGA all the way.”
“He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention… the cultural impact he had was massive,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Vice President JD Vance offered a heartfelt note on X (formerly Twitter), calling Hogan “one of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid.” He recalled their last conversation, where they promised to grab a beer together — “the next time will have to be on the other side.”
WWE Chairman Emeritus Vince McMahon, who helped mold Hogan’s public persona, declared him “the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME.” McMahon credited Hogan with helping build WWE into a global powerhouse.
Fellow wrestling legends added deeply emotional notes:
- Ric Flair called Hogan his “close friend,” recalling how Hogan visited him in the hospital during his near-death experience.
- Triple H called Hogan “the archetype” of what it means to be a WWE Superstar.
- Jim Ross equated Hogan’s death to Major League Baseball losing Babe Ruth.
- Brutus Beefcake, Hogan’s real-life friend and former tag partner, expressed deep regret they hadn’t reconciled before Hogan’s death.
Other tributes poured in from politicians like House Speaker Mike Johnson, celebrities like Elijah Wood, and longtime fans like Piers Morgan, who called Hogan “a far gentler, charming, intelligent man” than his ring persona.
End of an Era
Hulk Hogan’s passing isn’t just the loss of a man — it’s the symbolic end of an era. An era when wrestling was raw, outrageous, and captivating. When millions of fans around the world tuned in to hear the opening chords of “Real American” and watch the Hulkster tear his shirt apart in front of a roaring crowd.
To a generation, Hogan was not just a wrestler. He was a father figure, a role model, a symbol of power and goodness. Despite personal and public missteps, his larger-than-life presence remained unmatched. His death has reopened conversations about how we remember complicated legacies — men who entertained and inspired millions, but who also stumbled in the spotlight.
What remains beyond the controversies is the emotion Hogan brought to fans. The drama, the spectacle, the belief that good could always triumph over evil. He made people feel something real, even when they knew it was scripted.
Final Bell
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice — once in 2005 as a solo act and again in 2020 as a member of the nWo, the rebellious wrestling faction he helped lead during his time in WCW. Few performers can claim such an influential role across two rival eras of professional wrestling.
Now, as fans, friends, and former colleagues mourn his loss, the final bell tolls for one of wrestling’s true giants.
What He Leaves Behind
Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky, and his children, Brooke and Nick. His influence is felt not only in the wrestling industry but also in pop culture at large. From WWE’s rise to national prominence to endless Halloween costumes and decades of impersonations, Hogan’s brand is immortal.
And so, as the world says goodbye, fans return to the question that became a generation’s rallying cry:
“Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild in Heaven?”
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