Professional wrestler Hulk Hogan dead at the age of 71, WWE says

BREAKING NEWS: Hulk Hogan Dies at Age 71

Professional wrestling legend Terry Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, has died at the age of 71, according to WWE. Hogan passed away Thursday morning in Clearwater, Florida, after suffering cardiac arrest. Emergency crews responded, but he was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital.

Hulk Hogan was the biggest wrestling icon of the 1980s and 90s, known for his "24-inch pythons," red-and-yellow gear, and catchphrases like “Say your prayers and eat your vitamins.” His legendary rivalries with stars like Andre the Giant, Roddy Piper, and Macho Man Randy Savage helped propel WWE into a global empire.

In 1996, his shocking heel turn as "Hollywood Hogan" in WCW changed wrestling history, giving WWE its fiercest competition ever. However, controversy followed him throughout his life — including a 2015 leaked video where he used racial slurs, resulting in WWE cutting ties temporarily.

Hogan returned to WWE in 2019 but received mixed reactions from fans and wrestlers alike.

Most recently, Hogan was preparing to launch his new company, Real American Freestyle, focused on traditional wrestling. Its first event was scheduled for August 30.

WWE released a statement mourning his loss, calling him “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures.” Hulk Hogan leaves behind a complicated but unforgettable legacy that changed professional wrestling forever.