Tag: hulk hogan death

August 4, 2025 Observer Newsletter: The social fallout from Hulk Hogan’s death, WWE SummerSlam preview & Unreal review

Posted on by F4W Staff

Image: WWE

It’s Friday and that means a brand-new Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

This week, Dave Meltzer covers the social fallout from the death of Hulk Hogan which has been a mixed bag of fond remembrance for his career and admonishment for his racial comments.

Dave also previews this weekend’s first-ever two-night WWE SummerSlam in addition to a full review of WWE Unreal on Netflix.

All that, plus all the latest news and happenings from AEW, TNA, CMLL and the rest of the wrestling world.

Click here to read as reading is your friend.

Jimmy Hart mourns death of ‘best friend’ Hulk Hogan

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Just days after claiming that Hulk Hogan was doing “phenomenal” amid his health issues, legendary wrestling manager Jimmy Hart is mourning the loss of his best friend.

Hart was one of Hogan’s closest associates, working with him on-screen for decades and traveling everywhere with Hogan as his real-life manager. He expressed love for Hogan’s family following Thursday’s tragic news and reflected on the times he and Hogan shared together.

“What can you say when losing a best friend. First to Hulk’s family I love you. I am here for you all,” Hart wrote. “Hulkster you always kept me close to you through everything it was an honor. We traveled the world back and forth. Wherever we went Hulkamania was ALIVE brother!! The fans always came out and we loved every minute of it. You made more people smile than I’ll ever be able to count. Those are the memories I’ll forever cherish. Thank you for a 4 decade ride. I will keep the Megaphone going, Red and Yellow will live on, legends never die Baby!!! I love you Terry ‘Hulkamania’ FOREVER!!”

The 71-year-old Hogan passed away on July 24 after suffering cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. In the weeks preceding his death, Hogan had been in and out of the hospital due to complications from a May neck surgery, but those close to him denied rumors that he was in grave condition.

Along with managing Hogan, Hart has been involved with his business ventures like the weekly karaoke event at Hogan’s Hangout. The Clearwater restaurant put out a statement yesterday asking everyone to respect the privacy of Hogan’s friends and family during this time.

“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we confirm we have lost a legend. Our beloved Terry Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, passed away today surrounded by his loved ones,” Hogan’s Hangout said on Thursday. “At this time of grief, we ask that everyone please respect the privacy of his family and friends.

“May we all take solace in the wonderful memories he left behind for the millions of fans worldwide whose lives he touched for more than four decades. He will be missed, but never forgotten.”

DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The complicated history & legacy of Hulk Hogan

Posted on by Karl Stern

Join pro wrestling historian and author Karl Stern on the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show as he talks about the complicated history and legacy of pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan who passed away Thursday at his Florida home.

Hogan, who began his pro wrestling career in the late 1970s, became one of the most famous wrestlers in history and a major pop culture star as well. From his movies to his reality show, he was one of the biggest media stars pro wrestling ever produced.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

July 28, 2025 Observer Newsletter: The life & times of Hulk Hogan

Posted on by F4W Staff

Image: WWE

Dave Meltzer returns with a new Wrestling Observer Newsletter, led off by his obituary on the late Hulk Hogan who passed away Thursday in Florida due to cardiac arrest.

Dave also looks at the NJPW G1 tournament, a quick-hit preview of next weekend’s WWE SummerSlam, the latest news in AEW, CMLL, AAA, TNA, and other promotions, plus more history.

Click here to read.

Pacific Rim: Hulk Hogan’s history and legacy in Japan

Posted on by Jim Valley

Fumi Saito knew Hulk Hogan for over 40 years, going back to the AWA when they both lived in Minnesota.

On this episode of Pacific Rim, Fumi talks about Hulk Hogan before WWE, Hogan’s first tour in NJPW, how Stan Hansen and Andre the Giant mentored and helped Terry Bollea better define the image and wrestling style of Hulk Hogan, which match in Japan earned Hogan nearly $250,000 in today’s money, and Fumi’s stories about his friend Terry away from the ring.

It’s nearly two hours of Pacific Rim. Check it.

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TNA Wrestling, NJPW honor Hulk Hogan following his death

Posted on by Joseph Currier

TNA Wrestling and NJPW are honoring Hulk Hogan for the contributions he made to their respective promotions.

– Following Hogan’s passing at 71 years old, TNA presented a live episode of Impact from Kingston, Rhode Island on Thursday night. The broadcast was dedicated to Hogan with TNA taking a moment to remember him.

“Earlier today the world learned of the passing of the biggest icon in the history of professional wrestling, Hulk Hogan. His contributions to this company and the entirety of this industry will never be forgotten,” commentator Tom Hannifan said. “TNA Wrestling is deeply saddened by this news, and we send our condolences to the fans, friends, and family of Hulk Hogan.”

TNA is where Hogan ended his in-ring career, having his final match in 2012 on a TNA tour of the United Kingdom. He was with TNA from 2009-2013 as an on-screen performer as well as significantly influencing the company behind the scenes.

– NJPW, where Hogan found early success alongside his American stardom, posted the following remembrance on the company’s website:

New Japan Pro-Wrestling is saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Bollea, known to wrestling fans as Hulk Hogan, on July 24. He was 71.

While Hogan’s status as a blockbuster attraction and pop culture icon in the US is well documented, he also left a significant mark on Japanese and New Japan Pro-Wrestling history. Trained by Hiro Matsuda, Hogan first came to Japan in 1980, participating in the third MSG (Madison Square Garden) League that brought names from America to battle NJPW’s top stars. 

In late spring of 1983, the International Wrestling Grand Prix League saw the IWGP letters known today first used in NJPW competition. A league tournament brought wrestlers from across the world from various member promotions to determine an IWGP Champion that would then defend their status in the next year’s tournament. The league boiled down to Hogan and Antonio Inoki in the final, and to massive shock, Hogan would upset Inoki, landing his Ax Bomber lariat to send Inoki off the apron and to count out defeat to be the first IWGP League winner. Later that year, Inoki teamed with Hogan, and the two won the MSG Tag League together.

Hogan continued to compete in NJPW until 1985, and then returned to Japan in the early 1990s for the Genichiro Tenryu operated SWS. In 1993, Hogan created a stir when he targeted IWGP Heavyweight Champion Great Muta at Wrestling Dontaku while still carrying the WWF Championship; Hogan would defeat Muta in a non title bout in Fukuoka that May, and faced Tatsumi Fujinami the following January 4 in the Tokyo Dome before transitioning to WCW Stateside. Hogan’s last match in Japan came at Ultimate Crush in October 2003 with a victory over Masahiro Chono. 

 The thoughts and sympathies of all at New Japan Pro-Wrestling go to Hogan’s family, friends and fans. 

The Rock shares Hulk Hogan tribute: ‘Thank you for the house, brother’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is paying tribute to Hulk Hogan, a childhood hero of his who paved the way for The Rock to become a crossover superstar in wrestling and Hollywood.

Hogan passed away of cardiac arrest at 71 years old on Thursday following weeks of post-neck surgery health complications. In an Instagram tribute, The Rock shared how Hogan impacted his life dating back to when he was just a child growing up as the son of Rocky Johnson.

“To millions of little kids you were a childhood hero – myself included,” Rock wrote. “In 1984, I gave you your ‘HULKSTER’ headband back, in the locker room in Madison Square Garden – I was the lucky kid [who] caught it when you threw it in the crowd. You were wrestling ‘Mr Wonderful’ Paul Orndorff that night in the main event. You were shocked and so happy after the match because you told me that was your very last headband and if it weren’t for me, you’d have no way of getting that exact one made again. You promised me that you would get more made and give me a Hulkster headband of my own as a thank you gift.

“A month later in Madison Square Garden, you did just that. You kept your word, with a handshake and a ‘thanks kid.’ And that meant the world to that little 12 year old boy.”

Hogan and Rock would later share the ring together in 2002, when they faced off in one of the most famous matches in WWE history at WrestleMania 18. It was a special night for The Rock getting to defeat his childhood hero in a passing of the torch moment.

“Just 17 years later, and still a kid at the age of 29 years old — I’m standing in the middle of the ring and facing you – one of my wrestling heroes in the main event of WRESTLEMANIA,” Rock wrote in his tribute. “The match was to decide who would go down in history, as The Greatest of All Time.

“When you kick out of my Rock Bottom finisher – just listen and FEEL that crowd go ELECTRIC…
all for you. I’ve never felt anything like that in my entire wrestling career. It takes two to tango, but that historic crowd reaction was all for you. You may have ‘passed the torch’ to me that night, but you, my friend….…you ‘drew the house’ meaning you sold out every arena and stadium across the country in your prime as Hulk Hogan, on your way of becoming the greatest of all time.”

Hogan’s pop culture superstardom in 1980s helped make it possible for wrestlers like The Rock and John Cena to branch out into acting roles in their own eras. That will always be part of Hogan’s legacy as an on-screen performer.

“From deep in my bones, and on behalf of this wild and crazy world of professional wrestling that we love, I say to you now, and forever…Thank you for the house, brother,” Rock said. “Thank you, for the house. RIP Terry Bollea aka Hulk Hogan.”

Steve Austin pays tribute to Hulk Hogan: ‘Hulkamania lives on’

Posted on by Josh Nason

WWE legend & pro wrestling icon “Stone Cold” Steve Austin was the latest to pay tribute to the late Hulk Hogan who passed away Thursday at 71 years old.

Austin posted a picture of himself and Hogan on Instagram (seen below) with the following caption:

“Hulk Hogan was born to be a Professional Wrestler. Larger than life. Charisma for days. He was in a stratosphere all on his own. His contributions are immense. His influence will be forever. Hulkamania lives on. My condolences to his family and loved ones.”

The two shared a memorable moment with The Rock to open WWE WrestleMania 30, but Austin and Hogan never had a one-on-one match. The closest they came was in a three-on-two handicap match on a March 2022 edition of Raw where the NWO (Hogan, Kevin Nash & Scott Hall) defeated Austin and The Rock.

Hulk Hogan News Coverage & Podcasts:

Eric Bischoff: Hulk Hogan ‘one of kindest & most generous people I have ever met’

Posted on by Josh Nason

Eric Bischoff — one of Hulk Hogan’s close friends and business partners for thirty years — talked about Hogan’s passing Thursday, something he said that still hasn’t sunk in.

In Las Vegas to shoot interviews for he and Hogan’s Real American Freestyle amateur wrestling promotion, Bischoff spoke to Fox News, saying he learned about Hogan’s death while watching the network.

“I have literally been on the phone or responding to texts and emails ever since. It has not truly sunk in yet,” he said.

Asked about what people should know about Hogan, Bischoff said an important thing to understand is that Terry Bollea was different than the Hogan character.

“He was kind and generous to a fault. He was loyal. He had a big heart and until you got to know Terry Bollea, you were overwhelmed by Hulk Hogan and that was his life. But, he was one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met,” he said.

The two began working together when Bischoff brought Hogan to WCW in 1994. Hogan left the company in July 2000 with Bischoff departing a month earlier, ending an abbreviated return after Bischoff had been initially let go in September 1999. The two worked together in TNA for a number of years as well on outside projects with Real American Freestyle being the last.

Hulk Hogan News Coverage & Podcasts:

VIDEO: Bryan Alvarez talks to ABC News on the passing of Hulk Hogan

Posted on by F4W Staff

Our Bryan Alvarez talked to ABC News on Thursday about the passing of Hulk Hogan, the video of which can be found below.

Hulk Hogan News Coverage & Podcasts:

Donald Trump, Linda McMahon pay tribute to Hulk Hogan

Posted on by Josh Nason

United States President Donald Trump and Linda McMahon were the latest big names to pay tribute to the late Hulk Hogan, following Vince McMahon and many from the wrestling industry including Sting, Triple H, Kevin Nash, and Kurt Angle.

Hogan passed away Thursday at the age of 71 after suffering cardiac arrest at his Florida home.

He famously appeared at the 2024 Republican National Convention to cut a promo in supporting Trump in his third run for the presidency.

Trump, a WWE Hall of Famer, posted the following on social media Thursday:

“We lost a great friend today, the “Hulkster.” Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way – Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week. He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive. To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!“

McMahon, a Trump cabinet member and head of the Department of Education, posted the following on X:

Vince McMahon responds to Hulk Hogan’s death: ‘The world lost a treasure today’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In a rare public statement, Vince McMahon responded to the death of Hulk Hogan on Thursday.

The statement was posted to McMahon’s X/Twitter account after news broke this morning that Hogan had passed away of cardiac arrest at 71 years old. McMahon praised Hogan as a trailblazer, the consummate performer, and the greatest WWE Superstar of all time.

“The world lost a treasure today,” McMahon said. “Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world. He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon.

“His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled – and made him the consummate performer. He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved.

“He leaves us with one of his favorite expressions, ‘Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers.’ Today, we pray for him.”

McMahon and Hogan will always be linked together as the two driving forces of the WWF’s rise to nationwide prominence in the 1980s. They even had a match against each other at WrestleMania XIX in 2003 with a storyline based on whether McMahon or Hogan deserves more credit for WWE’s success.

Hogan underwent neck surgery this May and had been dealing with health complications in the weeks before passing away.

There have only been a few public statements from McMahon since he resigned from WWE and its parent company TKO Group Holdings in January 2024 after a lawsuit had been filed against him by former WWE employee Janel Grant. That lawsuit, which is still ongoing, accuses the 79-year-old McMahon of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and sex trafficking.

WWE legend Hulk Hogan passes away at 71

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Hulk Hogan — the most famous pro wrestling star in American history who led the industry to new heights of pop culture prominence — has passed away at 71 years old.

His death was first reported by TMZ, who indicate that the cause was cardiac arrest. Hogan (Terry Bollea) had been dealing with complications from a neck fusion surgery that he underwent in May. There were rumors that he was in grave condition, but that had repeatedly been denied by Hogan’s camp.

TMZ wrote:

Medics were dispatched to the 71-year-old WWE legend’s Clearwater, Florida home early Thursday morning … with operators stating it was regarding a ‘cardiac arrest.’ We’re told a slew of police cars and EMTs were parked outside Hogan’s home … and the icon was carried on a stretcher and into an ambulance.

A star dating back to the early 1980s, Hogan played a massive role in two of wrestling’s biggest booms. He was the face of the WWF as the company’s champion during the 1980s, when WrestleMania was born and Hulkamania ran wild across the country. In the 90s, he turned heel for WCW, joining the NWO and becoming Hollywood Hogan for a run that would see WCW surpass the WWF for a period of time.

Hogan’s stardom crossed over to film, TV, and most parts of American culture. Even people who knew nothing about pro wrestling knew Hulk Hogan.

The final live appearance of Hogan’s WWE career was an unceremonious one, as he was booed at Raw’s Netflix premiere in Los Angeles this January. The booing, in part, was likely due to a racism controversy that impacted Hogan’s legacy and caused him to be removed from the WWE Hall of Fame for a period of time before being reinstated in 2018.

WWE has confirmed Hogan’s death, sending its condolences to his family, friends, and fans.

“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away,” the company wrote. “One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”