The Immortal Has Fallen: Hulk Hogan Passes Away at 71

I still remember the first time I saw him. The screen buzzed with static in 2009, and then there he was—bandana tight, moustache iconic, arms flexed like they could round up all my childhood bullies and toss them in a blackhole. He pointed straight into the camera like he was talking to me. “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” And just like that, I was hooked for life.

Today, the world feels a little quieter. A little less powerful. Because Terry Bollea—mine and our Hulk Hogan—has passed away at 71.

They say our heroes live forever. Maybe that’s true. Because how do you say goodbye to someone who wasn’t just a wrestler… but a myth in motion? A man who turned red and yellow into war paint for generations of kids who didn’t feel strong until they watched him be strong. A man who didn't just body slam giants—he became one.

The news hit us yesterday like a chair shot to the chest. TMZ reported it was a cardiac arrest. He was rushed out of his home in Clearwater, Florida, and somewhere between that stretcher and the stars, we lost him. Just like that. The Immortal… mortal, after all.

We’d heard he wasn’t doing great. Neck surgeries. Rumors. But his wife, Sky, told us not to panic. Said he was fighting his way through recovery like always. That’s the Hogan I and we all believed in—gritting his teeth, hulking up, shaking off the pain.

Hogan wasn’t just a wrestling star. He was wrestling. From the moment he burst onto the WWF scene in the '80s, everything changed. He had it all—look, presence, a voice that could boom through a stadium or a child’s living room. He didn’t need pyro to feel like fireworks. He was the explosion.

He made us believe in larger-than-life heroes. Made kids tear their shirts in front of mirrors and dream about leg drops off the couch. Made grown men believe in good guys again. Whether it was in WWE, WCW, or even TNA—every time Hogan entered the arena, we knew we were witnessing something that mattered.

And when he turned heel in WCW—Hollywood Hogan, nWo—he didn’t just change his shirt, he changed the industry. Again.

But even beyond the ropes, he was still that guy. Thunderlips in Rocky III. The babysitting commando. That weird cameo in Gremlins 2. I watched it all, man. All of it. Because it was him. He didn’t have to be perfect. He was Hogan.

Lately, he was gearing up for more—launching a new wrestling league, Real American Freestyle. Starting a beer brand. Touring again, meeting fans. Still giving back to the people who chanted his name through decades. Still showing up. And that’s what made him different. Hulk Hogan never forgot us.

And we will never forget him.

He leaves behind his wife Sky, his kids Brooke and Nick, and a world full of fans who grew up stronger because of him. He might be gone, but you’ll still find him everywhere—in the echoes of a pop when someone’s music hits… in the moment a wrestler “hulks up”… in every fan who still believes in the power of heart, hustle, and hype.

So here’s to you, Hulkster. For the flexes, the promos, the comebacks. For making us all feel ten feet tall.

And brother… whatcha gonna do now that you’ve slammed the gates of heaven, and the angels are running wild on you?

Rest easy, champ. We’ll carry the weight now.

As we say goodbye to one of the greatest icons in sports entertainment history, we remember not just the man, but the movement—Hulkamania, and everything it stood for.

If Hulk Hogan shaped your childhood, lit up your living room, or gave you the strength to face your own battles, now is the time to honor that legacy.

Explore our exclusive WWE collectible figures and memorabilia—a tribute to the legends who made wrestling larger than life. Whether you grew up with the Hulkster or are just stepping into the ring, there’s something for every fan.