Remembering Hulk Hogan: WWE Icon

The Passing of a Legend

On July 24, 2025, the world of professional wrestling was shaken to its core by the tragic news of Terry Bollea, widely known as Hulk Hogan, passing away. At the age of 71, Hogan suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, following complications related to a recent spinal fusion surgery. This loss leaves an indelible mark not only on the WWE community but also on the sporting world at large.

Hogan has been described as one of the largest attractions in professional wrestling history and a major reason why Vince McMahon's expansion of his promotion worked. Wrestling historian and journalist Dave Meltzer stated that "...You can't possibly overrate his significance in the history of the business. And he sold more tickets to wrestling shows than any man who ever lived".

Hogan's match with Andre the Giant at The Main Event on February 5, 1988, holds American television records for a wrestling audience with a 15.2 Nielsen rating and 33 million viewers. Fellow wrestler Cody Rhodes has said numerous times that Hogan's WrestleMania X8 match with The Rock is the greatest match in wrestling history and that it epitomized what professional wrestling is.

Fellow WWE Hall of Fame member Bret Hart was repeatedly critical of Hogan's wrestling abilities, including in 2021 saying that he "didn't know a headlock from a headlamp", and that he was "very limited". Hart had previously referred to Hogan as a "hero" to fans and previously complimented Hogan's look. "You look at Hulk Hogan, okay? Unbelievable look, 6'8″ with the 24-inch pythons, it's an incredible [look]. When he walks in the room, the whole room stops. Like, you see it. He [has] got, like, legs stuck on his shoulders. His arms are as big as somebody's legs.

Chris Jericho said on his podcast in 2023 that Hogan was a better worker than Flair in his experience. "Hogan is a better worker than Flair. For me. I always had amazing matches with Hogan because he knew exactly who he was as a babyface, as a heel, whatever. He was so great. He knew his audience. He didn't do anything he didn't have to. It was one of my favorite times in my career."

On February 20, 2019, it was announced that Chris Hemsworth would portray him in a biopic, directed by Todd Phillips. However, in 2024, Phillips announced the movie had been scrapped.

Endorsements and business ventures

Food and beverage

Hogan created and financed a restaurant called Pastamania located in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. It opened on the Labor Day weekend of 1995 and was heavily promoted on World Championship Wrestling (WCW)'s live show Monday Nitro. The restaurant, which remained in operation for less than a year, featured such dishes as "Hulk-U's" and "Hulk-A-Roos".

In interviews on The Tonight Show and Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Hogan claimed that the opportunity to endorse what came to be known as the George Foreman Grill was originally offered to him, but when he failed to respond in time, Foreman endorsed the grill instead. However, there is no direct evidence to support this claim. Instead, Hogan endorsed a blender, known as the Hulk Hogan Thunder Mixer. He later endorsed a grill known as "The Hulk Hogan Ultimate Grill", voluntarily recalled as a fire hazard in 2008 along with other QVC and Tristar grills.

In 2006, Hogan unveiled Hogan Energy, a drink distributed by Socko Energy. His name and likeness were also applied to a line of microwavable hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and chicken sandwiches sold at Wal-Mart called "Hulkster Burgers". On November 1, 2011, Hogan launched a new website called Hogan Nutrition, which features many nutritional and dietary products.

On New Year's Eve 2012, Hogan opened a beachfront restaurant called "Hogan's Beach", located in the Tampa area. The restaurant dropped Hogan's name in October 2015. Hogan later opened Hogan's Hangout in Clearwater Beach.

In 2024, Hogan launched "Real American Beer" (a light beer brand).

Finances

In September 2008, Hogan's net worth was revealed to be around $30 million. In September 2011, Hogan revealed that his lavish lifestyle and divorce had cost him hundreds of millions of dollars and nearly bankrupted him.

A Challenging Health Journey

Hulk Hogan's health had been a point of concern in recent years. Just months before his untimely death, he underwent a significant spinal fusion procedure. Although his wife Sky Bollea publicly denied speculations linking his surgery to a more serious health crisis, Hogan’s passing reminds us of the physical toll that a life in professional wrestling can take. Throughout his legendary career, Hogan faced numerous challenges, both inside and outside the ring, showcasing a resilience that many admired.

The Influence of Hulk Hogan

Throughout his storied career, Hogan transcended the wrestling arena, becoming a cultural phenomenon. He was pivotal in shaping the WWE into the powerhouse it is today, inspiring countless wrestlers and fans alike. Hogan's charisma and larger-than-life persona helped to popularize professional wrestling in the 1980s, paving the way for future superstars. His influence reached far beyond the ring, into movies and television, where his image remained synonymous with wrestling stardom.

As we remember Hulk Hogan, it is essential to acknowledge his contributions to the sport as well as the affection that millions had for him. His impact on wrestling history is monumental, encouraging many to pursue careers in the sport. Even in his passing, his legacy will continue to be celebrated by fans and upcoming wrestlers who aim to follow in his footsteps.

In this time of grief, fans are encouraged to reflect upon the joy and excitement Hogan brought to their lives. His unforgettable matches, iconic catchphrases, and enduring spirit will remain etched in our memories. The void left by his departure is significant, yet the impact of his contributions ensures that the legacy of Hulk Hogan will endure for generations to come.

Career Success

Championships and accomplishments

Hogan was a six-time WWE Champion.

Hogan was a two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee — 2005 for his individual career, and 2021 as a member of the nWo.

• International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame

  • Class of 2021

• New Japan Pro-Wrestling

  • IWGP Heavyweight Championship (original version) (1 time)

  • IWGP League Tournament (1983)

  • MSG Tag League Tournament (1982, 1983) – with Antonio Inoki

  • Greatest 18 Club inductee

• Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum

  • Class of 2003

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated

  • Comeback of the Year (1994, 2002)

  • Feud of the Year (1986) vs. Paul Orndorff

  • Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (1983, 1999)

  • Match of the Year (1985) with Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff at WrestleMania I

  • Match of the Year (1988) vs. André the Giant at The Main Event I

  • Match of the Year (1990) vs. The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania VI

  • Match of the Year (2002) vs. The Rock at WrestleMania X8

  • Most Hated Wrestler of the Year (1996, 1998)

  • Most Popular Wrestler of the Year (1985, 1989, 1990)

  • Wrestler of the Year (1987, 1991, 1994)

  • Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1991

  • Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003

  • Ranked No. 44 and No. 57 of the top 100 tag teams of the PWI Years with Antonio Inoki and Randy Savage in 2003

• Southeastern Championship Wrestling

  • NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Northern Division) (1 time)

  • NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Championship (Southern Division) (2 times)

• Sports Illustrated

  • Ranked No. 2 of the 20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time

• Tokyo Sports

  • Best Foreigner Award (1983)

  • Match of the Year (1991) vs. Genichiro Tenryu on December 12, 1991

• World Championship Wrestling

  • WCW World Heavyweight Championship (6 times)

• World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE

  • WWF/WWE Championship[b] (6 times)

  • WWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Edge

  • Royal Rumble (1990, 1991)

  • WWE Hall of Fame (2 times)

    • Class of 2005 – individually

    • Class of 2020 – as a member of the New World Order

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • Strongest Wrestler (1983)

  • Best Babyface (1982–1991)

  • Best Box Office Draw (1997)

  • Best Gimmick (1996) as a member of New World Order

  • Feud of the Year (1986) vs. Paul Orndorf

  • Feud of the Year (1996) as a member of New World Order vs. World Championship Wrestling

  • Most Charismatic (1985–1987, 1989–1991)

  • Most Embarrassing Wrestler (1995, 1996, 1999, 2000)

  • Most Obnoxious (1994, 1995)

  • Most Overrated (1985, 1986, 1994–1998)

  • Most Unimproved (1994, 1995)

  • Readers' Least Favorite Wrestler (1985, 1986, 1991, 1994–1999)

  • Worst Feud of the Year (1991) vs. Sgt. Slaughter

  • Worst Feud of the Year (1995) vs. The Dungeon of Doom

  • Worst Feud of the Year (1998) vs. The Warrior

  • Worst Feud of the Year (2000) vs. Billy Kidman

  • Worst on Interviews (1995)

  • Worst Wrestler (1997)

  • Worst Worked Match of the Year (1987) vs. André the Giant at WrestleMania III

  • Worst Worked Match of the Year (1996) with Randy Savage vs. Arn Anderson, Meng, The Barbarian, Ric Flair, Kevin Sullivan, Z-Gangsta, and The Ultimate Solution in a Towers of Doom match at Uncensored

  • Worst Worked Match of the Year (1997) vs. Roddy Piper at SuperBrawl VII

  • Worst Worked Match of the Year (1998) vs. The Warrior at Halloween Havoc

  • Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

Hulk Hogan: The Legend Legends are Made Of

The Legend is Immortal