Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, has died at the age of 71. A 911 call reported someone in cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Clearwater Police Department’s Nate Burnside confirmed there is no suspicion of foul play, according to 6abc.
Hulk Hogan helped bring professional wrestling into the mainstream during the 1980s. Roger Artigiani, owner of 2300 Arena, said that Hogan had a strong legacy in Philadelphia, even in places where he never performed. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson called Hogan a childhood hero and shared memories of him in and out of the ring in an Instagram post. Vince McMahon referred to Hogan as the "greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME," as reported by ABC News.
Hulk Hogan’s death has brought renewed attention to his past racist remarks, which continue to affect how some fans, especially Black wrestling fans, view his legacy. He apologized during an appearance on Good Morning America, but the comments remain a part of his public image. Kazeem Famuyide, co-host of "The Ringer Wrestling Show," told by NBC News, “You never really got the feeling that Hulk Hogan truly felt remorse.” Others, including Bomani Jones and freelance writer Lyric Swinton, also spoke about wrestling’s history with race and how it affects how Hogan is remembered. Ric Flair shared a tribute recalling Hogan’s support during difficult times, while Master Tesfatsion noted the mixed feelings some fans have about Hogan’s
