Pro wrestling pioneer Hulk Hogan dies at 71

Hulk Hogan, who helped to transform professional wrestling from sports to entertainment, died Thursday morning at 71.

TMZ Sports first reported the story, with WWE and Florida police later confirming the news of the former wrestler's death.

"WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the wrestling organization posted to its X account.

"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."

Per TMZ, paramedics were sent to Hogan's house in Clearwater, Fla., with Hogan in cardiac arrest. He was driven away in an ambulance. Police posted on Facebook that Hogan was pronounced dead at a hospital.

He had undergone neck surgery earlier this year and reportedly had been in poor health.

Born Terry Bollea on Aug. 11, 1953, in Augusta, Ga., Hogan joined Vince McMahon's wrestling group in the early 1980s and quickly became a star as "Hulkamania" swept the nation. The 6-foot-7, 320-pound icon was known for his mustache, headscarf and yellow-and-red ring attire.

In 1985, he became the first WWE personality to host "Saturday Night Live," a day before appearing at the first WrestleMania, an event that has since exploded in popularity.

Less than two months later, the six-time WWE champ Hogan battled "Cowboy" Bob Orton on the first "Saturday Night's Main Event" on NBC, and on Sept. 14, 1985, his "Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling" Saturday morning cartoon debuted.

At WrestleMania III in 1987, he body slammed Andre the Giant in a memorable event viewed by more than 93,000 fans at the old Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich.

In 1989, Hogan starred in his first Hollywood film, "No Holds Barred," produced by McMahon. It launched his career on the big screen, which included a role in "Rocky III" and starring parts in "Suburban Commando," "Mr. Nanny" and "Santa With Muscles." He and his family -- first wife, Linda, and children Nick and Brooke -- had their own reality show, "Hogan Knows Best."

After 14 years with WWE, he joined World Championship Wrestling and re-emerged as wrestling's bad guy in what was called the New World Order under the name Hollywood Hulk Hogan. He won his first WCW title against Ric Flair.

When WWE bought WCW in 2002, Hogan was back in the WWE fold. That same year, he won his sixth WWE world title but later lost to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WrestleMania in Toronto.

He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and his final WWE match came the next year with a defeat of Randy Orton.

In his later years, he crossed into politics, speaking on behalf of candidate Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention in 2024. He was remembered on social media Thursday by people he met along the campaign trail, as well as those with whom he shared the ring.

"I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan," Flair posted to X. "Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn't Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. ... Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!