PARAMEDICS and first responders frantically worked for 30 minutes as they tried to save wrestling icon Hulk Hogan before his death.
Hogan, 71, died on Thursday, plunging the sports entertainment world into mourning.
The Mega AgencyHogan speaking at a Trump rally in Madison Square Garden days before the 2024 election[/caption]
Hogan with wife Sky – months before his deathGetty
Current and former WWE stars paid tribute to Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, and hailed him for being a trailblazer.
Sources close to Hogan’s family claimed he was in bad health in the weeks leading up to his death.
One told The Mail he experienced a shortness of breath, lost a lot of weight, and was on oxygen.
And, just three days ago, Lummy, a host on Bubba The Love Sponge podcast, claimed Hogan couldn’t speak and wasn’t doing well.
“His trachea or whatever was damaged and he’s having problems and it does not look good. It does not look at all,” he said.
Tragic details about Hogan’s final moments have now emerged.
Clearwater cops and fire crews were called to his $11.5 million estate just after 9:50am on Thursday, according to People.
He received CPR and crews were still working on him at 10:28am.
Hogan, who suffered a cardiac arrest, was taken to the hospital where he was declared dead.
At a press conference, Clearwater cops said Hogan had experienced a “serious medical related issue.”
An official cause of death has not been released, but cops said there were no signs of foul play.
Police also ruled out any signs of suspicious activity.
Hogan’s death came just weeks after rumors swirled that the former sports entertainer was on his death bed.
His wife Sky Daily was also forced to debunk the online speculation.
Reassuring fans, she said her husband was healing but the couple was taking it one day at a time.
In June, he was hospitalized over back and neck issues, which were first reported by TMZ.
Police statement on Hulk Hogan’s death
Clearwater Fire Department and Clearwater Police Department personnel responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. today in the 1000 block of Eldorado Avenue on Clearwater Beach. The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest. A 71-year-old resident, Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
A media briefing will be at 1:30 p.m. at Clearwater Police Department headquarters, 645 Pierce St. Some parking is available east of the building; additional parking is in the old fire station parking lot just west of police headquarters.
The briefing is being held at the police department in an attempt to protect the privacy of the family. Any media compelled to respond to the scene should park in the rear of the Carlouel Yacht Club, 1091 Eldorado Ave. The staging area is located at Eldorado and Bay Esplanade.
Hogan had a fusion procedure on his neck in May, which was described as a success by his representative.
He told WWE wrestler Logan Paul that he had 25 surgeries between 2014 and 2024.
Retired sports entertainer Kurt Angle claimed Hogan couldn’t feel anything.
This was vehemently denied by his representative.
Former WWE supremo Vince McMahon led the tributes to Hogan, describing him as the greatest WWE superstar of all time.
“He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon.”
During the 1980s and 1990s, Hogan’s All-American overexuberant character was adored by millions.
He headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias – the flagship event produced by WWF, later WWE.
Hulk Hogan career timeline
1977: Made his professional wrestling debut.
1979: Joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and gained recognition.
1982: Appeared as “Thunderlips” in the film Rocky III, significantly boosting his mainstream exposure.
1984: Defeated The Iron Sheik to win his first WWF Championship, ushering in the “Hulkamania” era.
1985: Main evented the first-ever WrestleMania, teaming with Mr. T against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.
1987: Slammed Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in one of wrestling’s most iconic moments.
1993: Departed WWF for World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
1996: Shocked the wrestling world by turning heel and forming the New World Order (nWo) with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash at Bash at the Beach, becoming “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan.
2001: Returned to WWE after WCW was acquired.
2002: Had a memorable match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8.
2005: Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
2005-2007: Starred in the reality TV show “Hogan Knows Best.”
2012: Had his last official televised match for TNA Impact, though he made sporadic appearances in WWE afterward.
2020: Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for a second time as a member of the nWo.
Hogan body-slamming Andre The Giant, a 500 plus pound athlete, at WrestleMania III is one of the most iconic moments in the entire history of the event.
Hogan was a five-time WWE champion and one of his title reigns spanned 1,474 days.
And, he etched his name into the history books by becoming the first star to win two consecutive Royal Rumbles – in 1990 and 1991.
Hogan shocked wrestling fans when he rocked up at WWE’s rival company, World Championship Wrestling.
Wrestling promoter Eric Bischoff suggested the idea of Hogan becoming a heel, as reported by The New York Times.
“Like anything else, the new-car smell wears off, and the new car just isn’t as much fun to drive anymore,” he said.
“And everybody was sensing that, including Hulk, obviously, and obviously myself.”
And, the switch toward becoming a more villainous character came at a time when Hogan’s Hulkamania personality was becoming stale.
Hogan initially refused turning heel before reconsidering.
He abandoned his babyface character, donning the headgear of the faction the New World Order and becoming the character Hollywood Hulk Hogan.
During the mid 1990s, WCW and WWE were locked in a TV ratings battle known as the Monday Night Wars.
WCW SWITCH
Hogan’s switch to WCW helped Nitro outperform Raw.
From September 1995, Nitro outperformed Raw for 83 weeks in the TV ratings.
Hogan returned to WWE after supremos bought the rival promotion in March 2001.
And, he sported the black NWO outfit for his clash with The Rock at WrestleMania X8 in Toronto, Canada in 2002.
The clash marked Hogan’s first WrestleMania appearance since WrestleMania IX in 1993, where he defeated the behemoth Yokozuna.
“The match was to decide who would go down in history, as the greatest of all-time,” The Rock said as he paid tribute.
“You may have passed the torch to me that night, but you, my friend, you drew the house, meaning you sold out every arena and stadium across the country in your prime as Hulk Hogan, on your way of becoming the greatest of all-time.”
Wrestling legends Kane, The Undertaker, and John Cena have also paid tribute to the late sports entertainer.
“Hulk Hogan was a true legend,” Kane, real name Glenn Jacobs, said.
“It was easy to do a Hulkster impersonation when, like millions of guys my age, I’d practiced it in the mirror a thousand times growing up.”
“The wrestling world has lost a true legend,” The Undertaker said.
WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair described Hogan as an “incredible athlete, talent and friend.”
Flair was overcome with emotion when he spoke about Hogan’s death.
HOGAN’S FRIENDSHIP WITH TRUMP
Outside the ring, Hogan had a four-decade friendship with Donald Trump.
Trump Plaza was the venue of WrestleMania IV in New Jersey in 1988.
Hogan endorsed Trump and JD Vance to be the next president and vice president at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
“RIP to a legend,” Donald Trump Jr. wrote on X.
Trump and his family have also paid tribute to Hogan.
“Hulk Hogan was a great American icon,” Vance said.
“One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid. The last time I saw him we promised we’d get beers together next time we saw each other.
“The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.”
Linda McMahon, Vince’s wife and Trump’s Education Secretary, described Hogan as a “dear friend.”
“Hulk was a dear friend and member of our WWE family,” she wrote on X.
“His legacy in and out of the ring will always be remembered. He was one of a kind.”
Hogan and Rock clash at WrestleMania X-8 in Toronto in 2002Getty
AlamyHogan with Donald Trump and Andre the Giant in 1987[/caption]
SplashHogan appearing as his character Hollywood Hulk Hogan during his stint in World Championship Wrestling[/caption]
SplashHogan and The Rock in a WrestleMania moment at the 30th anniversary edition of WWE’s flagship event[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
