Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan passes away at 71

WRESTLING icon Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71, WWE confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

"WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. 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," the statement read.

Emergency response at Hogan's Florida home

According to TMZ Sports, emergency medical services were dispatched to Hogan’s residence in Clearwater, Florida, early Thursday morning following a cardiac arrest call. Multiple police units and EMTs were seen outside his home. Sources told the news outlet that the WWE legend was carried out on a stretcher and rushed into an ambulance.

Hulk Hogan was recovering from heart surgery

Just weeks before his reported death, Hogan was recovering from major heart surgery. In a June report by Us Weekly, a source close to Hogan revealed that the 71-year-old WWE Hall of Famer had recently undergone “pretty serious heart surgery” but was on the mend. “It wasn’t a near-death thing,” the insider clarified, addressing speculation about Hogan’s health. “He’s been recovering,” the source added, insisting that Hogan was not “on death’s door.”

No official cause of death has been released, and Hogan’s family has not issued a public statement at this time.

Wrestling icon of the '80s and '90s

Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was one of the most recognisable faces in professional wrestling. Rising to superstardom in the 1980s and 1990s, he was a key figure in popularising WWE (then WWF) across the globe with his larger-than-life persona, charisma, and unmatched fan following.

Throughout his career, Hogan won multiple world championships, headlined numerous WrestleMania events, and later helped transform WCW. His signature moves, red-and-yellow attire.