From WrestleMania To The Walk Of Fame: Hulk Hogan’s Legacy In Pop Culture
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on July 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM EDT
Hulkamania has taken its final bow as legendary wrestler and pop culture titan Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71.
Hogan suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, on July 24. His sudden passing has left fans and generations of wrestling lovers reeling.
Born Terry Gene Bollea, Hulk Hogan was more than just a wrestler. He was a movement.
The Man Behind The Mustache: Hulk Hogan’s Iconic Rise To Wrestling Royalty
Hulk Hogan exploded onto the national scene in the 1980s, transforming the WWF (now WWE) into a global entertainment powerhouse.
With his handlebar mustache, yellow bandanas, and signature catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?,” he became the face of wrestling’s golden era.
From headlining the very first WrestleMania to body-slamming André the Giant in front of a sold-out Pontiac Silverdome at WrestleMania III, Hogan’s in-ring moments became pop culture milestones.
He would go on to win 12 world championships and become a two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee, first solo in 2005, and again in 2020 as part of the New World Order faction.
Crossing Over To Hollywood And Reality TV Fame
Outside the ring, Hulk Hogan was equally larger-than-life. He starred in cult-favorite films like "Suburban Commando," "Mr. Nanny," and "No Holds Barred," and famously played Thunderlips in "Rocky III."
But perhaps his most memorable off-the-mat move was stepping into the world of reality TV.
"Hogan Knows Best," which aired on VH1 from 2005 to 2007, gave fans a front-row seat to his family life with his then-wife, Linda, and their children, Brooke and Nick. The show’s success cemented Hogan’s place not just in wrestling history, but it would continue to help the reality TV realm boom, which later helped launch the careers of stars like the Kardashians and the D’Amelios.
WWE Dropped Hulk Hogan After Leaked Tape Sparked Outrage Over Racial Slurs
Hulk Hogan's legacy wasn’t without blemishes.
In 2015, the WWE cut ties with the star after a leaked tape revealed him using racist language, including the N-word, during a rant about his daughter Brooke's dating life. The footage, which was part of a legal battle with Gawker Media, quickly went public and sparked outrage across both the wrestling world and wider entertainment industry.
Following the leak, WWE swiftly terminated its contract with Hogan, removing all mentions of him from its website, Hall of Fame listings, and merchandise. The organization released a statement saying:
“WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan). WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds.”
Hogan later issued a public apology, saying:
“Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it and I apologize for having done it.”
In 2018, WWE reinstated Hogan into its Hall of Fame, stating that he had apologized and done outreach work, including speaking to WWE talent about his mistakes.
Scandal, Surgery, And Second Chances
Though he later apologized and was reinstated in the Hall of Fame, the scandal left a mark.
Hulk Hogan also faced legal battles, including a highly publicized lawsuit against Gawker that ended in a $140 million judgment in his favor.
Still, his fanbase remained fiercely loyal, and Hogan kept going. Even after dozens of surgeries on his back, knees, and hips, he remained a fixture at fan conventions and WWE reunions.
In 2024, he even launched his own beer brand, Real American Beer, and married yoga instructor Sky Daily.
Hulk Hogan Remembered As A Wrestling Icon Who Transcended The Ring
News of Hogan’s passing sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, with tributes pouring in from current superstars, fans, and celebrities alike.
"There is no WWE without Hulk Hogan,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Politics and personal flaws aside, he was the reason I ever watched wrestling. RIP to the GOAT.”
The WWE issued a statement calling him “one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment history."
He is survived by his wife, Sky, and two children, Brooke and Nick.
Whether body-slamming giants, starring on the silver screen, or reinventing himself for a new generation, Hulk Hogan was an icon who redefined what it meant to be a sports entertainer. He didn’t just dominate wrestling. He transcended it. And for millions of fans, Hulkamania will never die.
