WWE legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest at home.
The wrestling icon, born Terry Gene Bollea, was found dead at his home in Clearwater, Florida on Thursday morning.
Medics were dispatched to his home in the early hours of the morning with first responders receiving a call about a cardiac arrest.
Several police cars and EMTs surrounded Hogan’s home before a stretcher was seen being loaded into an ambulance.
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Hulk Hogan has tragically died at the age of 71
There had been reports last month that the WWE icon was battling health problems but his wife, Sky, denied rumours that he was in a coma after undergoing surgery.
Hogan had an operation on his neck in May and had been dealing with the symptoms in the aftermath.
Hulk was a true icon of wrestling and transformed the sport into a mega-million corporation after becoming the face of the business.
Former wrestler Terry Funk brought Terry Bollea to the attention of in autumn 1979. The promoter wanted an Irish persona with red hair, but Bollea insisted on remaining blonde, declaring “I’ll be a blond Irish”.
In 1979, World Wrestling Federation proprietor Vincent J. McMahon christened the wrestler Hulk Hogan, and he made his WWF debut on 17 November, overcoming Harry Valdez.
Initially cast as a villain under Freddie Blassie’s management, Hogan challenged Bob Backlund for the championship and began his first major rivalry with Andre the Giant, culminating in their Shea Stadium encounter in August 1980.
Hogan’s transformation into a hero occurred in 1981 when he rescued Brad Rheingans from Jerry Blackwell’s assault during an AWA television recording.
Following stints in Japan where he captured the inaugural IWGP tournament in 1983, and the AWA where he battled Nick Bockwinkel, Hogan returned to WWF in December 1983.
McMahon selected him as the company’s flagship attraction. On 23 January 1984, Hogan captured his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship by pinning The Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden, becoming the first wrestler to escape the camel clutch.
Commentator Gorilla Monsoon declared “Hulkamania is here!” as Hogan introduced his “demandments”: training, prayers, and vitamins.
The wrestler’s popularity soared through the mid-1980s, featuring on magazine covers and hosting Saturday Night Live. His most celebrated moment arrived at WrestleMania III in 1987, where he faced Andre the Giant, who had been promoted as unbeaten for fifteen years.
