Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea, icon of professional wrestling, has died at the age of 71 at his home in Clearwater, Florida, following a cardiac arrest early Thursday morning (New York Post, People.com). According to police, emergency services responded at approximately 9:51 a.m. local time, and Hogan was later pronounced dead at hospital around 11:17 a.m. (People.com).

A groundbreaking figure in wrestling, Hogan rose to fame in the 1980s as the face of “Hulkamania”, headlined multiple WrestleManias, and starred in pop‑culture favorites like Rocky III, No Holds Barred, and Gremlins 2. Beyond wrestling, he co-founded WCW’s famed New World Order (nWo), starred in reality TV, and made front‑page news with a $140 million lawsuit against Gawker (TMZ).

He is survived by his wife Sky Daily and his two children. A public investigation confirmed no foul play is suspected (People.com).

🌟 Final Legacy & Tributes

Hogan’s impact was vast:

Key figure in WWE and professional wrestling’s rise to mainstream popularity (FOX 13 Tampa Bay, New York Post)
Remembered fondly by peers like Ric Flair, The Undertaker, Vince McMahon, and President Donald Trump (The Times of India, The Sun)
Celebrated posthumously by WWE as “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures” (People.com)

🔎 Opinion: The End of an Era

Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler—he was the spark that launched wrestling into a global entertainment phenomenon. His charisma, showmanship, and outsized persona left an indelible mark on sports, media, and fans worldwide. While controversies marked his journey, there's no denying his once-in-a-generation influence. His passing signals the close of a foundational chapter in sports entertainment history.