Hulk Hogan dies aged 71

The legendary WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan has died aged 71.

Police person said exigency services responders treated Hogan astatine his location successful Clearwater, Florida, for cardiac apprehension astatine astir 10am section clip (3pm UK time) contiguous but helium died successful infirmary astir an hr and 15 minutes later.

Hogan, whose existent sanction was Terry Bollea, is possibly the astir iconic prima successful WWE's five-decade past - known for his distinctive blonde moustache and colourful headbands.

His charisma and theatrics successful the ringing are credited with helping to alteration nonrecreational wrestling into a household amusement sport.

Hogan was the main gully for the first-ever WrestleMania successful 1985 and was a fixture for years successful its signature event, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and adjacent institution president Vince McMahon.

He claimed his archetypal WWE satellite title by defeating the Iron Sheik successful 1984.

Hogan went connected to triumph 5 much satellite championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame successful 2005 by Sylvester Stallone.

Undertaker among WWE icons to wage tribute

WWE said successful a station this evening: "WWE is saddened to larn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of popular culture's astir recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE execute planetary designation successful the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans."

Hogan's person and chap erstwhile nonrecreational wrestler, Ric Flair, wrote connected X: "I americium perfectly shocked to perceive astir the passing of my adjacent person @HulkHogan! Hulk has been by my broadside since we started successful the wrestling business.

"An unthinkable athlete, talent, friend, and father!"

Mr McMahon wrote connected X aft Hogan's death: "The satellite mislaid a treasure today. Hulk Hogan was the top WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, idiosyncratic who was loved and admired astir the world... He leaves america with 1 of his favourite expressions, 'Train, instrumentality your vitamins and accidental your prayers.' Today, we commune for him."

WWE icon The Undertaker wrote connected X: "The wrestling satellite has mislaid a existent legend. His contributions to our concern are immeasurable and for that I americium appreciative. Thank you, Hulk Hogan."

Former WWE wrestler Triple H wrote connected societal media successful a tribute to Hogan: "He was the archetype of what it meant to beryllium a 'Superstar' - a planetary sensation that inspired millions to enactment hard astatine immoderate it was they wanted to execute and a look that made him recognizable to fans astir the world."

Hogan goes to Hollywood

The wrestler was besides capable to transcend his "Hulkamania" fanbase to go a personage extracurricular the wrestling world, appearing successful galore movies and tv shows, including a world amusement astir his beingness connected VH1, Hogan Knows Best.

His notable movie appearances see playing Thunderlips successful Rocky III and Shep Ramsey successful Suburban Commando.

In 2024, helium appeared astatine the Republican National Convention to endorse the statesmanlike bid of Donald Trump.

Hogan said helium made the determination to enactment the Republican campaigner aft seeing his combative, fist-pumping absorption to an attempted assassination connected the run trail.

In a notation to alleged "Hulkamania", helium ripped disconnected his garment to uncover a Trump vessel apical and bellowed to a cheering crowd: "Let Trumpamania tally wild, brother... Let Trumpamania regularisation again!"

The US president paid tribute to Hogan successful a Truth Social station today, writing: "We mislaid a large person today, the 'Hulkster'. Hulk Hogan was MAGA (Make America Great Again) each the mode - Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an perfectly electrical code astatine the Republican National Convention, that was 1 of the highlights of the full week. He entertained fans from each implicit the World, and the taste interaction helium had was massive. To his wife, Sky, and family, we springiness our warmest champion wishes and love. Hulk Hogan volition beryllium greatly missed!"

US vice president JD Vance has besides paid tribute, penning connected X: "Hulk Hogan was a large American icon. One of the archetypal radical I ever genuinely admired arsenic a kid. The past clip I saw him we promised we'd get beers unneurotic adjacent clip we saw each other. The adjacent clip volition person to beryllium connected the different side, my friend! Rest successful peace."

Hogan's enactment of Trump did not spell down good with each wrestling fans and it was acold from his lone controversy.

The gossip website Gawker posted a video successful 2012 of him having enactment with his erstwhile champion friend's wife.

Hogan sued connected privateness grounds and was awarded a $140m judgement successful 2016.

A twelvemonth earlier helium was suspended by the WWE aft different concealed signaling revealed that Hogan had utilized a radical slur.

He was reinstated successful 2018.

The making of a popular civilization phenomenon

Born successful the US authorities of Georgia successful August 1953, Hogan played bass guitar successful section bands earlier getting progressive successful the wrestling country successful Florida successful the 1970s.

The young wrestler, who aboriginal admitted to taking anabolic steroids during his career, gained notoriety arsenic his biceps turned into what helium dubbed the "24-inch pythons".

The "Hulk" moniker came from comparisons to the comic-book leader portrayed connected TV astatine the time.

He would extremity up paying royalties to Marvel Comics for years.

"Hogan" was the invention of Mr McMahon, the proprietor of what was past called the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), who wanted Irish practice among his unchangeable of stars.

Hogan was joined 3 times and had 2 children.

In an update astatine 1.47pm section clip (6.47pm UK time), Clearwater Police Major Nate Burnside said determination were "no signs of foul play oregon suspicious activity" successful narration to the wrestler's death.

He added that Hogan's household are being supported.