Hulk Hogan (Terry Gene Bollea) ascended on Thursday, July 24th.
Hulk’s health was not great in recent weeks after undergoing neck surgery in June which made it difficult for him to speak afterwards.
Claims of his health on the decline started in June when “Bubba the Love Sponge”, host of his titular Tampa-based radio show who had the wrestler as his best man for his 2007 wedding, reported that Hogan was hospitalized and wasn’t doing well.
Shortly after a rep for the Hogan family released a statement refuting those claims “He’s just dealing with more of the same ailments he’s had for years. In fact, we’re told Hogan’s back to moving around already.”
On July 1st Bubba The Love Sponge posted “Sources say Hogan remains hospitalized with growing concerns about possible brain damage caused by prolonged breathing issues.”
“At one point, he was reportedly on a ventilator. While we can’t confirm if he still is, insiders say his lung function is so weak that carbon dioxide buildup may have caused serious mental fog — or worse. What started with neck and heart complications has now possibly evolved into a pulmonary-brain crisis.”
On July 9th Bubba The Love Sponge reiterated his claim Hogan was in the ICU for nearly six weeks. “I don’t know if we’ll ever see Hogan again,” Bubba said.
At the time, Bubba claimed Hogan was “confused” and “not in any condition to be in the public eye.”
On July 11th Hulk Hogan’s wife Sky Daily, denied rumors that the WWE Hall of Famer was in a coma and had brain damage, stating that
“His heart is strong” and he was recovering from a recent neck surgery. No, he’s definitely not in a coma! His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage… none of those rumors are true,” Sky wrote.
“He’s been recovering from a major four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), which is an intense surgery with a long and layered healing process. If you look it up, you’ll see what the last six weeks have involved… not just for his spine, but also for his vocal cords, and the eating/breathing tubes that are clamped over during surgery. We’ve been in and out of the hospital to support that recovery. So truly, there’s no need for the drama or panic some people try to stir up. He’s healing, and we’re taking it one day at a time with love, strength, and patience.”
Longtime Hulk Hogan friend and Manager Jimmy Hart also refuted any serious health issues of the Hulkster on July 22nd posting on X “Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal! Last night at karaoke with Nick was absolutely fantastic, baby!!!” Hart posted.
In adding to his legacy Hulk Hogan’s and Eric Bischoff new promotion, “Real American Freestyle Wrestling” announced that its first live event in will take place August 30th in Cleveland and on FOX Nation.
Now as family, friends and Hulkamaniacs all send their prayers and well wishes the Hogan family the wrestling world suffers a great loss in a man who redefined the pro wrestling world.
Hulk Hogan began his wrestling career in 1977 for the AWA promotion at the same time Vince McMahon Sr. had started the WWWF and scouted Hulk. Vince McMahon Sr. saw the perfect specimen to become a major star and draw in the pro wrestling business.
Vince McMahon Sr. approached Hulk Hogan to sign with WWWF and after some negotiations a deal was reached.
Vince McMahon Sr. wanted to push Hulk Hogan as the newest top star in the WWWF and shortly after signing him Vince Sr. started to book him in high profile matches.
Immediately Hulk Hogan was facing stars like Andre The Giant, King Kong Bundy, Big John Studd and Bob Backlund.
Hulk Hogan quickly became WWWF’s top star and in the early 1980’s an opportunity with Hollywood presented itself and a role to star in Rocky 3 as “Thunderlips” became Hulk’s shot at true fame.
Vince McMahon Sr. famously fired Hulk Hogan for accepting the part in the movie as he believed pro wrestlers should stay in the wrestling ring.
Hulk Hogan explained this situation during a 2019 interview saying
“Mr. McMahon Sr. said, ‘Well, if you do the movie, you’re fired,'” Hogan explained. “So, I did the movie, and got fired. The words were, ‘You’ll never work here again.’ At the time there were other places to wrestle, so I went back to Japan, I went to Minnesota after Japan.”
It was then that Vince McMahon jr. reached out to Hulk Hogan to bring him back after Vince McMahon jr. purchased the company from his father in 1982.
Vince McMahon Jr. knew the star power and charisma Hulk Hogan possessed and wanted him to spearhead the next generations of the WWE business.
Hulk Hogan went on to lead the new generation of WWF and main evented WrestleMania 1,2,3,5,6,7,8 and 9.
WWE achieved its highest attendance in the 1980s at WrestleMania 3 in March 1987 with an estimated 93,173 in attendance this event which saw Hulk Hogan body slam Andre The Giant solidified him as a modern pop culture icon and made WWE into a household name.
Hulk Hogan also is one of the longest reigning WWE champions ever
- Bruno Sammartino – 2,803 days
- Hulk Hogan – 1,474 days
- Bob Backlund – 1,470 days
- Roman Reigns – 1,316 days
Hulk Hogan’s importance to professional wrestling cannot be denied as his ability to continuously transcend his character with new generations is legendary.
His work as “Immortal” Hulk Hogan in WWF to becoming the notorious heel “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan in WCW is truly a captivating body of work that solidifies him on the Mount Rushmore of pro wrestlers.
In many ways he is one of the most important stars in pro wrestling history and his ability to draw massive amounts of fans is what helped WWE become what it is today.
Eras come and go but legends live forever..
RIP Hulk Hogan
Long Live Wrestling
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