90s Icon Gone: What We’ll Always Love About Hulk Hogan

I didn’t expect to write this today. Honestly, I thought Hulk Hogan would always be around — like an uncle who never aged, just kept flexing, smiling, and shouting "Brother!" at the top of his lungs.

But this morning, on 24 July 2025, news broke that Hulk Hogan — real name Terry Gene Bollea — had died at the age of 71. The cause was cardiac arrest. Paramedics were called to his Florida home around 10am, but he sadly passed away shortly after.

Even as I type these words, it’s strange to imagine the world without him.

What Made Him Special

For those of us who grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Hulk Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler. He was the wrestler. The moustached superhero in yellow and red. The guy who could body-slam Andre the Giant one night and then guest star on a family sitcom the next.

He was energy. He was charisma. And yes — he was a bit over the top, but that’s exactly why we loved him.

• WrestleMania III. That slam. That crowd. Still chills.

• His catchphrases: "Train, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins."

• His crossover fame: from Rocky III to Thunder in Paradise to Hogan Knows Best.

• And of course, the music. You know the one: "I am a real American…"

Hogan turned wrestling into pop culture. He gave kids a hero, made grown men cheer, and put WWE (then WWF) on the global map. Without him, wrestling might never have become what it is today.

The Final Chapter

Hogan had struggled with his health in recent years — surgeries, pain, even rumours of serious decline. But just a few months ago, he launched a new wrestling project called Real American Freestyle. He seemed hopeful, maybe even reborn.

That’s why today’s news feels so sudden. His wife, Sky Daily, has confirmed his passing, and tributes are flooding in — from fans, wrestlers, celebrities, and the countless people who grew up with his voice in their living room.

What We’ll Remember

More than anything, Hogan brought people together. He made wrestling feel big, bright, and full of heart.

Yes, he had his flaws. There were scandals, controversies, and moments that aged poorly. But there’s room in nostalgia for both admiration and honesty. And when we look back, it’s impossible not to smile at the sheer largeness of Hulk Hogan’s presence.

He was bold. He was loud. And somehow, he felt like ours.

Thank You, Hogan

Thank you for the memories, the madness, the mania. For being larger than life, even when life got complicated.

You gave us unforgettable moments — and now, one final one we never wanted.

Rest easy, Hulkster. You were the real American hero for a whole generation.