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| Hulk Hogan |
Hulk Hogan
Introduction
On July 24, 2025, the world was shocked to learn that wrestling icon Hulk Hogan—whose real name is Terry Gene Bollea—died at the age of 71.
Despite undergoing recent neck surgery, reports suggest that he experienced a cardiac arrest at his residence in Clearwater, Florida, and was declared dead shortly thereafter. News18+2 Reddit + 2 The Times of India + 2 The Times of India +11, Snopes +11 The Sun + 11 This tragic moment closed the final chapter on one of wrestling’s most iconic figures and cultural trailblazers.
The Final Years of Hogan: Comebacks, Experiments, and Debates WWE Involvement & Mixed Reactions
Despite controversies, Hogan had maintained a connection with WWE for years. In September 2024, he signed a five‑year contract as a company ambassador and for licensing, merchandising, and select appearances. The Times of India + 2 SEScoops + 2 News18 + 2.
Early in 2025, he returned live during WWE Raw’s Netflix debut, promoted his Real American Beer brand, and delivered that classic shirt‑ripping “Whatchya’ gonna do...” promo—only to be met with loud boos from the crowd of 17,000 in the Intuit Dome. Ringside News + 6 Wrestling Headlines + 6 Wikipedia + 6.
WWE insiders had discussed further appearances, and his beer brand even appeared on the ring canvas—tying his personal business with WWE promotion. But Hogan afterward ignored an arranged appearance on "Saturday night time’s foremost occasion" in San Antonio in January 2025, formally bringing up the circle of relatives obligations and the sense of intemperate fan backfire.
Real American Freestyle Wrestling In April 2025
Hogan co‑founded a freestyle wrestling promotion called Real American Freestyle (RAF), backed by Left Lane Capital and featuring Olympic/collegiate wrestling stars. He served as commissioner until his death. RAF 01, the league's first event, was being streamed live on Fox Nation Wikipedia+1Bild+1 on August 30, 2025, in Cleveland.
However, an earlier debut event for fans flopped: only 380 tickets were sold of 3,882 available for a Hogan‑backed Cleveland show, drawing criticism that the promotion might be more marketing than substance, Bild.
Hogan was more than a wrestler—he played a crucial role in turning the WWE into a worldwide juggernaut during the 1980s surge, headlining WrestleMania and major television events. On network television, his match with Andre the Giant in 1988 drew 33 million viewers, a record in American wrestling history.
He became a pop‑culture force, with catchphrases like “Hulkamania” and “Brother,” tie‑in products, films, and a reality TV show.
Controversies & Public Backlash
Hogan’s legacy is tangled with highly publicized controversies: his 2015 racist rant, a prolonged legal battle with Gawker over a leaked sex tape, and later public political support for Donald Trump, like his intense show at the Republican National Convention in 2024, where his notorious charisma captivated the swarm.
Fans and wrestling figures debated whether Hogan had “earned” the negative reception at WWE events in 2025. Wrestler Seth Rollins stated, “If the crowd is booing you, there’s a reason behind it … I enjoy witnessing it.” Many others shared that sentiment.
sentiment on social media about his WWE comeback on Reddit.
Final Family and Fan Reactions
In his last public conversation with daughters Brooke and son Nick—occurring in September 2023—Hogan and Brooke had a strained relationship, though Brooke later expressed gratitude for saying “I love you” to her father before he died. Decider+2 The Sun+2 The Sun+2. Tributes poured in from across wrestling and public life: Ric Flair, The Rock, Charlotte Flair, Triple H, Vince McMahon, Jake Roberts, and even Donald Trump, who called Hogan a “wonderful companion” and “MAGA fully supportive.” The Sun+2People.com+2 The Sun+2.
Summary Table: Hogan’s Final Chapter
| Area | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Passing | Died July 24, 2025, at age 71 from cardiac arrest in Clearwater, FL; had recent neck surgery. People.com+7Decider+7 The Economic Times + 7 |
| WWE Role | Ambassador/merchandising contract (5‑year deal signed 2024) with mixed audience reception in 2025 SES coopsNews18Wrestling Headlines |
| New Venture | Co‑founder/commissioner of Real American Freestyle league launching in August 2025; early fan turnout low (Wikipedia Bild) |
| Legacy Impact | Cultural icon of wrestling, mixed with scandals and public political positions |
| Tributes & Family | Tributes and Family Peer emotional remembrance, strained family relationships, and a significant media response |
Conclusion
Hulk Hogan was a larger-than-life figure whose arc spanned the rise of professional wrestling, mainstream celebrity, public controversies, and entrepreneurial gambits. From leading the charge in wrestling’s golden era to launching new ventures late in life—even as his reputation divided opinion—he remained undeniably influential.
His final years were marred by increasing backlash: WWE crowd hostility during live appearances, flopped projects, and lingering criticisms over past statements. Yet the outpouring of grief and tribute upon his death reveals a legacy that still resonates—though complex, still powerful.
In the end, Hogan’s story isn’t just about titles and promotions; it’s about the rise and fall of a cultural icon and how one man both shaped—and was shaped by—the tides of fame, controversy, and transformation.
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