Hulk Hogan: A Legend Born From Grit And The Determination To Succeed

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has passed away, but his legacy remains cemented in the halls of the world's greatest entertainers.

The former professional wrestler, renowned for his achievements in WWE and World Championship Wrestling, died on Thursday, July 24, 2025. His death broke the hearts of thousands as he was one of the most beloved athletes in the wrestling scene.

Hulk Hogan gained fame for his signature horseshoe mustache and cool bandanas, a style he maintained throughout his golden age. Besides his bold fashion style, he dominated the entertainment industry as a force to be reckoned with in and out of the ring.

Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, became interested in wrestling at the age of 16 when he started watching professional matches. His initial inspiration was the late wrestler, Dusty Rhodes, before he discovered "Superstar" Billy Graham and aspired to gain his "inhuman" physique.

The late TV personality's desire to achieve a massive and muscular build persisted into his twenties, when he began lifting weights at Hector's Gym in the Tampa Bay area.

His efforts paid off when the Brisco brothers noticed his impressive physique and implored Japanese professional wrestler and trainer Hiro Matsuda to take Hogan under his wings.

The Brisco brothers advised Hogan to try out for the Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF). However, Mike Graham, the son of CWF promoter Eddie Graham, initially refused to let Hogan participate.

According to Wikipedia, the late wrestler noted he and Mike didn't get along in high school, but the latter changed his tune after Hogan quit his music band Ruckus.

Hogan's first persona was "The Super Destroyer," initially portrayed by Don Jardine. He donned the character's mask for his CWF debut on August 10, 1977; however, he didn't last long in the CWF due to his differences with his trainer, Matsuda.

Hogan took a long hiatus after quitting, but quickly realized he was meant for the wrestling business. After a few hiccups, Hogan signed with the WWE (known then as WWF) in December 1983.

There, he became famous for his heroic all-American character, garnering many fans for his flamboyance, witty humor, and muscular physique. He was a six-time WWE Champion and two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee, among other stellar achievements.

Thanks to his successes in the ring, Hogan entered the "Hulkamania" era and continued to gain fame outside wrestling.

He dabbled in acting, starring in several productions including "Rocky III," "Suburban Commando," and TV shows like "Hogan Knows Best." He was also the frontman for The Wrestling Boot Band and reprised his wrestling role in multiple video games.

Hogan's passion for wrestling did not end after his WWE era, with The Blast reporting that he was working on launching a new wrestling league called Real American Freestyle. He founded the business venture with Eric Bischoff and coach Israel Martinez.

The late wrestler had been preparing to debut in the league on August 30 in Cleveland, telling sources that he hoped President Donald Trump could attend the event. Hogan was an avid supporter of the politician during the 2024 election and banked on their history motivating Trump's attendance.

Hogan raved about the RAF becoming WWE and the UFC's rival, claiming the league would feature unscripted freestyle wrestling in both men's and women's divisions. Additionally, he declared wrestlers could earn up to seven figures through competitions and promised fans wouldn't be disappointed.

Back in May, Hogan shocked fans when he returned to work a day after undergoing neck surgery. The Blast covered the story, reporting that the former athlete skipped out on resting longer because he felt better after the operation, which he described as a "little fusion procedure."

The surgery marked one of many in Hogan's life, who shared the devastating impacts of his illustrious wrestling career in a 2024 interview. The 71-year-old revealed he had undergone at least 25 operations from 2014 to 2024 to fix his broken body.

The list of operations Hogan underwent included multiple back surgeries and replacements for both his knees and hips. Despite repeated trips under the knife, the WWE icon always bounced back without complications. Unfortunately, his neck surgery was a different story.

Hogan's life ended at 71 at his home in Clearwater, Florida. It was reported that eyewitnesses claimed they spotted multiple police officers and EMTs who had responded to a cardiac arrest report. These sources watched Hogan get transported by stretcher into a waiting ambulance.

The heartbreaking news came weeks after Hogan's wife denied he was in a coma following complications from his neck surgery. She stressed that her husband was steadily recovering from the operation but was not on his "deathbed" as the rumors claimed.

Besides his body breaking apart from his decades-long career as a wrestler, Hogan also struggled with prescription drug addiction. "I was hitting the pain pills hard because I'd had to endure 25 procedures, including 10 to my back," he revealed in an interview.

Rest in peace, Hulk Hogan!