July 24, 2025 - Professional Wrestler Hulk Hogan Dies at 71

Professional wrestler Terry Bollea, famously known as Hulk Hogan, passed away on Thursday at the age of 71, according to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Hogan is widely regarded as the biggest wrestling star of all time, playing a key role in the rise of WWE. His larger-than-life persona in and out of the ring made him a household name in the 1980s and 1990s, with notable appearances in movies and mainstream media. WWE expressed its sorrow in a statement, remembering Hogan as one of pop culture's most iconic figures.

The city of Clearwater, Florida, where Hogan lived, reported that emergency crews were dispatched to his home after a cardiac arrest was reported. Despite efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital. Authorities stated that there were no signs of suspicious activity in his death, and an investigation is ongoing. TMZ was the first to report the news of his passing.

Hogan's impact on professional wrestling during the 1980s "golden era" was monumental. His catchphrases, including boasting about his “24-inch pythons” and encouraging fans to “say your prayers and eat your vitamins,” helped make wrestling a mainstream phenomenon. His intense rivalries with figures like “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, André the Giant, and “Macho Man” Randy Savage turned wrestling into a multi-billion-dollar industry.

After making a major impact in WWE, Hogan shocked the wrestling world in the mid-1990s by moving to WCW, where he famously turned villain in 1996, forming the New World Order (NWO). This “heel turn” helped WCW win television ratings over WWE for 83 consecutive weeks, marking one of the most exciting periods in wrestling history. However, his time with WCW eventually soured due to controversial moments like the “Finger Poke of Doom,” which led to the company’s downfall and eventual purchase by WWE.

In the 2000s, Hogan returned to WWE, where he had a legendary match with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at WrestleMania X8. Hogan later moved to TNA (Total Nonstop Action) wrestling but failed to replicate the success of his previous runs. His career was marred by a public controversy in 2015, when a video surfaced of Hogan making racist comments, which resulted in WWE severing ties with him temporarily. Hogan apologized for the comments, but his legacy was forever impacted, with many wrestlers distancing themselves from him.

In recent years, Hogan made a surprising appearance at the 2024 Republican National Convention, endorsing Donald Trump and expressing his belief in bringing the country together. This shift in political alignment came after Hogan had previously endorsed Barack Obama in 2008. Trump mourned Hogan’s passing on social media, calling him a "great friend" and praising his contribution to the culture. Hogan's legacy as a cultural icon, both in wrestling and beyond, continues to influence generations of fans and performers.

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Example: The new program should help with the city’s housing crisis, but it’s no panacea.