World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE, legend and reality TV star, Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71, according to the wrestling promotion.
Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, died on Thursday in his Clearwater, Florida home.
Among the first to pay tribute to the 71-year-old was U.S. President Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.
Former professional wrestler campaigned for Trump’s re-election last year.
“R.I.P to a legend. HULK HOGAN,” Trump Jr wrote on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s,” WWE tweeted.
TMZ Sports cited sources to report that 911 operators received a cardiac arrest call in the morning and Hogan was found dead.
In 2024, Hogan appeared at the Republican National Convention to endorse the presidential bid of Trump, who in the 1980s had played host to Hulk-headlined WrestleManias.
Hogan, had said he made the decision to support the Republican candidate after seeing his combative, fist-pumping reaction to an attempted assassination on the campaign trail.
The late wrestling champion was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years. He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
“I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn’t Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend! 🙏🏻” his former colleague and close friend Ric Flair tweeted.
AljazirahNigeria entertainment editor recalled childhood memories about Hulk Hogan in the late 1980’s and 1990’s thrilling many of his fans world over, drawing the millions of television viewers to develop interest in the combative entertainment show. His actions and intimidating pranks drew many admirers to him. Mr Hulk Hogan will be missed by millions of fans world over including Nigerians.
