1 month ago
11
(NewsNation) — Hulk Hogan died astatine the property of 71, World Wrestling Entertainment said connected Thursday.
Hogan, whose existent sanction was Terry Bollea, was possibly the biggest prima successful WWE’s agelong history. He was the main gully for the archetypal WrestleMania successful 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre the Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and adjacent institution president Vince McMahon.
WWE posted a enactment connected X saying it was saddened to larn astir Hogan’s death.
“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,” it said.
The "Hulk" moniker came from comparisons to the comic-book leader portrayed connected TV astatine the time. He would extremity up paying royalties to Marvel Comics for years. "Hogan" was the invention of McMahon, the proprietor of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), who wanted Irish practice among his unchangeable of stars.
His quality arsenic wrestler Thunderlips successful "Rocky III," wherever helium dwarfed starring antheral Sylvester Stallone, rocketed Hogan to the mainstream. Upon a instrumentality to the WWF, helium defeated the Iron Sheik successful 1984 to assertion the satellite championship, a loop helium would clasp for 4 years.
Hogan became a household name, appearing connected the screen of Sports Illustrated and performing alongside popular civilization stars similar Mr. T. The WWF came to predominate wrestling, anchored by its yearly WrestleMania pay-per-view events.
Fellow wrestler and longtime person Ric Flair mourned Hogan’s passing successful a connection posted to societal media.
“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!”
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report
