UPDATE

Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dead at 71

Emergency services were dispatched to Hogan’s Florida residence early Thursday morning

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Pro wrestler Hulk Hogan (right) and guest arrive at Spike TV's "2011 Video Game Awards" at Sony Studios on December 10, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
Pro wrestler Hulk Hogan (right) and guest arrive at Spike TV's "2011 Video Game Awards" at Sony Studios on December 10, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
AFP

Dubai: Professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) revealed, confirming earlier media reports.

Emergency services were dispatched to Hogan’s Clearwater, Florida residence early Thursday morning after a call described a “cardiac arrest” incident.

Hulk Hogan was one of the most recognizable figures in professional wrestling history. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches with his signature blond handlebar mustache and trademark bandana, Hogan became a global superstar in the 1980s.

He helped bring professional wrestling into the mainstream and later transitioned into acting, appearing in films and television shows that cemented his pop culture legacy.

Face of WWE

Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was the face of WWE through the 1980s and beyond, headlining the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985 and squaring off against legends like Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, The Rock, and even WWE chairman Vince McMahon.

Over his storied career, he captured at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. Beyond the ring, Hogan became a household name, starring in films, television shows, and his VH1 reality series Hogan Knows Best.

In 2016, he famously won a $115 million lawsuit against Gawker Media over the release of a private sex tape, a landmark case in digital privacy.

WWE paid tribute to Hogan on X, calling him “one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures” and offering condolences to his loved ones.

Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.

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