Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71.
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, is widely credited with transforming the wrestling scene into an entertainment spectacle.
He was pronounced dead in Florida on Thursday morning local time, after authorities responded to a call about a cardiac arrest.
In a post on X, the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) stated it was “sad to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away”.
“One of pop culture’s most recognisable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s,” the wrestling organisation said.
“WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
Hogan won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into its hall of fame in 2005.
Hulk Hogan, seen here in 1994, transformed professional wrestling into a family sport. (Reuters: Delores Delvin/USA Today)
Fellow wrestler and 16-time world champion Ric Flair also posted that he was “absolutely shocked” to hear about Hogan’s death.
“He was always there for me even when I didn’t ask him to be,” he wrote on X, adding Hogan had been “an incredible athlete, talent, friend and father”.
Hogan was known for his towering two-metre physique, bandana and distinctive blond handlebar moustache.
In recent years, he also emerged as a political figure, throwing his support behind US President Donald Trump’s 2024 election campaign.
ABC/Reuters/AFP
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