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“RIP to Hulkamania”: Heartfelt tributes pour in as Hulk Hogan passes away at 71

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies at 71, sparking an outpouring of tributes from fans and stars around the world.
posted by Anisa Nandy
Thursday 7/24/2025 at 1:02AM EDT
  • Heartfelt tributes pour in as Hulk Hogan passes away at 71
    Heartfelt tributes pour in as Hulk Hogan passes away at 71

    Terry Gene Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, has passed away at 71. The news surfaced on Thursday, July 24. Hogan had become more than just a wrestler. For years, his face and voice were tied to wrestling's rise on TV, especially in the '80s and early '90s.

    After the news broke, people paid tribute online. Some people shared personal memories, moments watching matches with their parents, or dressing up as Hogan as kids. Others just said thanks.

    Even folks who stopped watching wrestling years ago seemed to feel the loss. Maybe because his image was so tied to a certain time, loud entrances, big moves, bright colors. Whatever it was, it stuck.

    Hulk Hogan rushed to the hospital after a suspected cardiac event at his Florida home

    Emergency medical crews were sent to Terry Bollea's residence in Clearwater, Florida, during the early hours of Thursday. According to early reports, the response followed a suspected cardiac event. Several police units and ambulances were seen outside the property, and Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, was reportedly taken from the home on a stretcher.

    Witness accounts noted a large presence of first responders at the scene. One report from TMZ mentioned that multiple vehicles had gathered near the home, and that Hogan was moved into an ambulance under medical supervision.

    Hogan's health rumors denied by wife days before his sudden passing

    In the days before his passing, speculations about Hogan's condition had started picking up. Some people were saying he was near the end, even on his 'deathbed.' A few went further, claiming he was in a coma.

    His wife, Sky, stepped in not long after. She denied it. Said his heart was 'strong,' and he was getting better following surgeries - one of them on his neck, back in May. Those updates gave fans something to hold onto. So when the news came, it caught most people off guard.

    Netizens pay tribute to Hulk Hogan

    As soon as the news broke about Hulk Hogan's death, people on X started posting tributes. Some of them posted old videos, clips from matches, even blurry photos of Hogan from years ago. A few fans talked about how they grew up watching him. Probably because Hogan was everywhere back then. You didn't have to follow WWE to know who he was.

    Someone wrote:

    "RIP to Hulkamania I know WWE fans are divided towards Hogan but the best we can do right now is to pray for his soul. After all, he helped carry this company for years and is still one of the wrestling goats."

    Another fan posted:

    "Hulk Hogan was a once-in-a-generation, larger-than-life icon of American entertainment. He was also a Patriot with a heart of gold who loved his country, his countrymen, and his President. Having spent much of his career defeating various anti-Patriot characters, it is fitting that his final triumph was over the Libtard to save America. Rest in peace brother HH"

    A netizen wrote:

    "He’s the reason I started watching wrestling as a kid in the 80’s. The Babe Ruth of wrestling."

    From wrestling rings to Hollywood, Hulk Hogan’s rise shaped a generation of entertainment

    Hulk Hogan, born in 1953 in Augusta, started wrestling in 1977 and didn't take long to draw attention. By 1979, after entering the WWF, his rise was fast and loud.

    His image - yellow trunks, the bandana, and the "Hulkamania" energy became part of the pop culture of that time. His catchphrases, especially the one fans repeated everywhere, helped him stand out far beyond wrestling rings. He held the WWF Heavyweight title six times. Also crossed over into films. Notably, Rocky III, though there were others.

    Later stars like The Rock and Cena have said he made their paths possible. Even now, what he did with the showmanship, the global reach hasn't been repeated in the same way.

    TOPICS: Hulk Hogan


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