Summary
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies aged 71, his representative confirms
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was the biggest professional wrestler of the 80s and 90s and went on to achieve crossover fame
He debuted in 1977 and became the defining figure of the industry
Known for red and yellow outfits, “Real American” entrance music, and army of “Hulkamaniac” fans, he continued wrestling well into his 50s
In 2018, he was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame after being ejected for using a racist slur
Sylvester Stallone: Hogan made Rocky III ‘incredibly special’
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Hogan and Stallone circling each other in a wrestling ring on the set of Rocky IIISylvester Stallone pays tribute to Hulk Hogan, saying the wrestler was “absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special”.
“My heart breaks,” he says on Instagram.
Hogan acted alongside Stallone in the 1982 movie Rocky III.
Vance says he had plans to go for a beer with Hogan
Hogan stood looking forward with Vance smiling next to him Image source,Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images“Hulk Hogan was a great American icon,” writes Vice-President JD Vance.
He says the professional wrestler was “one of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid”.
In a post on X, he continues: “The last time I saw him we promised we’d get beers together next time we saw each other.
“The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.”
‘Hulkamania never dies’
John “Bradshaw” Layfield, Smackdown champion, writes on X that Hulk Hogan was one of the reasons the wrestling star got into the sport.
“Hulk was always so nice to me,” he says.
“There will never be another. Hulkamania never dies.”
‘We are heartbroken’ – Hogan’s representative
Hulk Hogan poses in the centre of the ring, flexing his muscles, in a match from the 80s.Hulk Hogan’s representative, Linda Bose, confirms that he has died.
Speaking to CBS News, the BBC’s US news partner, she says: “Unfortunately we must confirm that Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan passed away this morning.
“We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend.”
Sylvester Stallone: Hogan made Rocky III ‘incredibly special’
Image source,Getty ImagesHogan and Stallone on the set of Rocky III
Sylvester Stallone pays tribute to Hulk Hogan, saying the wrestler was “absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special”.
“My heart breaks,” he says on Instagram.
Hogan acted alongside Stallone in the 1982 movie Rocky III.
Vance says he had plans to go for a beer with Hogan
Image source,Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images“Hulk Hogan was a great American icon,” writes Vice-President JD Vance.
He says the professional wrestler was “one of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid”.
In a post on X, he continues: “The last time I saw him we promised we’d get beers together next time we saw each other.
“The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.”
‘Hulkamania never dies’
John “Bradshaw” Layfield, Smackdown champion, writes on X that Hulk Hogan was one of the reasons the wrestling star got into the sport.
“Hulk was always so nice to me,” he says.
“There will never be another. Hulkamania never dies.”
‘We are heartbroken’ – Hogan’s representative
Image source,Getty Images
Hulk Hogan’s representative, Linda Bose, confirms that he has died.
Speaking to CBS News, the BBC’s US news partner, she says: “Unfortunately we must confirm that Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan passed away this morning.
“We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend.”
Jamie Whitehead
Live reporter
Image source,Getty ImagesGoing title-for-title at WrestleMania VI
WWE’s flagship event, WrestleMania, might never have become what it did without Hulk Hogan.
From a headline appearance in the first event in 1985, to the last time he competed there against The Rock in 2002 – Hogan knew how to top the big cards.
“The Mega Powers explode” was the tagline for WrestleMania V in Atlantic City New Jersey as Hogan went up against former tag team partner Macho Man Randy Savage for the World Heavyweight Championship – Hogan won that one.
But he wasn’t so successful the following year in Toronto.
Hogan, still heavyweight champion, went up against intercontinental champion the Ultimate Warrior in a title-for-title match. It was the first time Hogan lost to a clean pinfall since 1981.
Hogan’s last ever WWE match came at SummerSlam 2006, where he defeated the Legend Killer Randy Orton.
