US wrestling icon Hulk Hogan dies at 71

Hogan helped elevate US wrestling to a planetary improvement during the 1980s with his flair and bravado.

Hulk Hogan, the American athletics and amusement prima who made nonrecreational wrestling a planetary phenomenon, has died astatine the property of 71, World Wrestling Entertainment said.

“WWE is saddened to larn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” World Wrestling Entertainment wrote successful a societal media station connected Thursday. “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, whose ineligible sanction was Terry Bollea, became a cosmopolitan awesome of WWE during the 1980s, with a beach-blonde handlebar moustache, bandanas, and towering physique that helium paired with an over-the-top persona that endeared him to fans and captured the spectacle of wrestling entertainment. He referred to his bulging arms arsenic “24-inch pythons” and often waved a US emblem successful the ring.

Hogan was doubly inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and was ne'er shy astir his icon status, calling himself arsenic the “Babe Ruth” of wrestling successful a notation to the US shot phenom who became synonymous with the sport.

Hulk Hogan fires up the assemblage betwixt matches astatine WrestleMania 21 astatine the Staples Center successful Los Angeles, California, connected April 3, 2005 [Chris Carlson/AP Photo]

Hogan’s flair and bravado helped elevate US wrestling amusement into a planetary improvement during the 1980s. He aboriginal became much progressive successful US politics, offering a full-throated endorsement of Donald Trump successful the 2024 election.

“Let Trumpamania tally wild, brother!” helium said during a code astatine the 2024 Republican National Convention arsenic helium ripped disconnected his shirt. “Let Trumpamania regularisation again!”

“We mislaid a large person today, the “Hulkster,” Trump said successful a societal media station connected Thursday. “Hulk Hogan was MAGA 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.”

Hogan besides attracted contention erstwhile a signaling emerged of him utilizing an anti-Black radical slur, for which helium was suspended by WWE successful 2015. He was aboriginal reinstated successful 2018.

Hogan besides became 1 of the archetypal WWE athletes to usage his fame and occurrence arsenic a wrestler to prosecute opportunities successful Hollywood, appearing successful films specified arsenic Rocky III and Santa With Muscles.

He was joined 3 times and had 2 children.

Source:

Al Jazeera and quality agencies