By News Desk
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at 71 years old, TMZ Sports has learned.
Medics were dispatched to the WWE icon’s Clearwater, Florida home early Thursday morning … with operators stating it was regarding a “cardiac arrest.”
Pinellas County Fire and EMS
We’re told a slew of police cars and EMTs were parked outside Hogan’s home … and he was carried on a stretcher and into an ambulance.
Cops tell us officials responded to the call at 9:51 AM … and Hogan was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue personnel before being taken to a nearby hospital.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Police are expected to provide additional details at a press conference later Thursday.
Just a few weeks ago, Hogan’s wife, Sky, denied rumors he was in a coma … stating his heart was “strong” as he recovered from surgeries.
There were rumblings Hogan was on his “deathbed” … but we were told at the time he was just dealing with the symptoms of a neck procedure he underwent in May.
Hulk transformed professional wrestling into a family entertainment sport. Before Hulk, wrestling catered to a fairly narrow audience. Hulk’s theatrics in the ring was magnetic for children and their parents, and it supercharged the sport.
Hogan kickstarted a pop culture phenomenon with “Hulkamania” after defeating the Iron Sheik for the World Heavyweight Championship in 1984 — a craze that never went away, and his signature bandana and handlebar mustache were often copied by fans in crowds for decades.
In 1996, Hulk transformed himself from hero to villain … by creating the NWO — New World Order — and became Hollywood Hulk Hogan. It propelled him and professional wresting to even more fame.
Hogan had countless iconic performances … including a matchup against Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at WrestleMania X8 in 2002 and a face-off with Andre the Giant at WM 3 — and had memorable feuds with Ultimate Warrior and Randy Savage.
Hulk was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. He was removed in 2015 after a scandal erupted over racists comments while he was being secretly recorded during a sexual encounter. Gawker posted the clip and Hulk subsequently sued, winning the lawsuit.
Hulk was inducted a second time in the WWE in 2020 … this time as a member of NWO.
TRUMP-O-MANIA
Hulk was the star of the 2024 Republican National Convention, when he set the room ablaze with theatrics.
Hulk had an amazingly successful movie career, beginning in 1982, with “Rocky III,” playing the iconic character Thunderlips. He also starred in “No Holds Barred,” “Suburban Commando” and “Mr. Nanny.”
And there’s more … Hogan starred in the hit VH1 reality show, “Hogan Knows Best,” with his family … Linda, Nick and Brooke.
‘OBJECTIFIED’ WITH HULK HOGAN
What’s amazing about Hulk … he had scores of surgeries as a result of wrestling injuries. He told Harvey during a taping of “Object-ified” he had no original body parts left.
