Hours ago, medical responders reportedly answered a call for a suspected “cardiac arrest” at Bollea’s Clearwater home early Thursday, July 24. Sources with knowledge of the situation informed local outlet TMZ Sports that multiple police and paramedic vehicles were parked outside the home of wrestling legend Terry ‘Hulk Hogan’ Bollea, and he was reportedly stretchered out and placed into an ambulance.
Hulk Hogan, an iconic figure in wrestling also known for his career in film and reality television, was honored twice in the WWE Hall of Fame. His first induction was in 2005, presented by his friend Sylvester Stallone. Fifteen years later, in 2020, he was inducted again, this time as part of a wrestling team. Hogan, who enjoyed exaggerating his own measurements, presented himself with heights varying between 1.98 m and 2.00 m and a weight exceeding 136 kg. In 1985, Sports Illustrated dubbed him “Wrestling’s Top Banana” in a cover story that also featured “Mat Mania!”
For 35 years, until his retirement in 2012, Hogan was synonymous with spectacle. With his prominent biceps, the "Hulkster" reduced his nemeses, including Sergeant Slaughter, André the Giant, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, to mere adversaries.
After his debut in Rocky III (1982), Hogan solidified his status as a cinematic figure, participating in 15 films. His friend Sylvester Stallone highlighted his performance in the movie, describing the strength and control Hogan demonstrated in the fight scenes.
Hulk Hogan made a notable appearance at the 1985 Grammys accompanying Cyndi Lauper as her bodyguard. His television career was extensive, with appearances in over 200 programs, from classic productions like “The Love Boat” (1986) to iconic wrestling series like WWE Raw. Later, the Hogan family, including his wife Linda and children Brooke and Nick, starred in the popular VH1 reality show “Hogan Knows Best” from 2005 to 2007, showcasing their family life.
Hulk Hogan, one of the most popular professional wrestlers of all-time who helped make WWE a juggernaut, has died, according to TMZ. (Photo: Jim WATSON / AFP)
Hulk Hogan and his beginnings in the wrestling industry
Hogan signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) a year later, after being recruited by its founder, Vince McMahon Sr., who would later sell the company to his son. McMahon Sr. was drawn to Hogan’s physical talent and offered him a contract.
Vince Sr. assigned his young recruit the persona of a tough Irishman, naming him “Hogan” and asking him to dye his hair red. Despite his thinning hair, Hogan stated, “I’ll be a blond Irishman.”
In November 1979, Hulk Hogan began his professional wrestling career. By December, he was already at Madison Square Garden, constantly proclaiming himself “the man who made wrestling famous.”
In 2015, WWE terminated Hulk Hogan’s contract and removed him from their website due to a racist slur he had uttered years earlier. However, in 2018, after completing an apology tour and performing numerous hours of volunteer work with children, WWE reinstated him to the Hall of Fame.
