Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who helped make WWE a global phenomenon, has died at 71 in Florida. His impact on pop culture and Canada remains unmatched.
Wrestling Legend Passes at 71
Hulk Hogan, one of the most recognizable figures in professional wrestling history, has died at age 71, Florida officials and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) confirmed Thursday morning. Emergency responders were called to his Clearwater, Florida residence around 9:51 a.m. ET for a cardiac arrest. Despite treatment on scene, he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Hogan’s passing marks the end of a pivotal era in sports entertainment. Fans across Canada and beyond are mourning a man whose charisma transcended the wrestling ring.
Rise to Fame in the 1980s
Born Terry Bollea, Hogan entered the wrestling world in the late 1970s, but his career exploded in 1984 after he defeated the Iron Sheik to win the WWF Heavyweight Championship. Known for his bandana, red-and-yellow ring gear, and “24-inch pythons,” Hogan became the face of a wrestling boom that swept across North America.
In Canada, his matches became cultural events. The 1990 WrestleMania in Toronto and his iconic 2002 “Icon vs. Icon” match against Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at Skydome (now Rogers Centre) remain etched in fans’ memories.
Canadian Legacy and Pop Culture Power
Hogan’s popularity in Canada rivaled that of major sports figures. He battled legends like Ric Flair and Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff in venues across the country and even arm-wrestled Toronto mayor Rob Ford at Fan Expo in 2013. His showmanship and star power helped bring wrestling into mainstream households from coast to coast.
Wrestling historian Greg Oliver told Maple News Wire that Hogan’s influence on Canadian wrestling culture was unparalleled. “He was the catalyst. Hulkamania ran wild up here, too.”
Controversies and Comebacks
While Hogan’s fame was colossal, his career was not without turbulence. A 2016 legal battle with Gawker over a leaked sex tape led to a $31 million USD settlement. The footage also included racial slurs, prompting WWE to sever ties temporarily.
Still, Hogan returned to the public eye and the WWE stage in later years, though some fans expressed disapproval. He issued a public apology, calling his comments “unacceptable.”
In recent months, Hogan had shifted focus to unscripted wrestling. He was named commissioner of the Real American Freestyle league, with its first event set for August 30 in Cleveland. League founder Chad Bronstein called Hogan’s death a “crushing loss,” stating, “He brought his full heart to this project. We’ll honour that legacy.”
Final Tributes from Friends and Icons
Tributes have poured in from across the wrestling world. Vince McMahon, former WWE chairman, called Hogan “the greatest WWE superstar of all time.” Fellow wrestling icons Ric Flair and Brutus Beefcake shared emotional messages. “No one will ever compare to you,” Flair posted on social media.
Hogan’s presence extended beyond wrestling. He starred in Rocky III, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny, and fronted the reality show Hogan Knows Best alongside his family.
His political stance made headlines last year when he endorsed Donald Trump during the Republican National Convention. Trump remembered him Thursday as “strong, tough, and with the biggest heart.”
End of an Era
Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 by Sylvester Stallone. His impact on the sport, entertainment industry, and fans worldwide—particularly in Canada—remains immeasurable.
As tributes continue to pour in, one thing is certain: Hulkamania lives on in the hearts of millions.
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