By MTMV Sports | July 24, 2025
Today, professional wrestling—and the world—lost one of its most iconic figures. Terry Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, passed away suddenly at the age of 71 due to a heart attack. For generations of fans, Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler; he was a cultural phenomenon. He was the larger-than-life hero in red and yellow, the embodiment of “real American,” and the face of wrestling’s rise into the mainstream. But his legacy, while undeniable, is also layered and complicated.
We begin this article not with our usual upbeat tone but with a heartfelt acknowledgment: Our prayers go out to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans around the world. Sudden loss hits differently—it leaves things unsaid, undone. But today, we remember the man and his mark on history.
WrestleMania and Childhood Wonder
When you think of Hulk Hogan’s in-ring legacy, there’s one moment that stands above the rest: WrestleMania III. The unforgettable sight of Hogan slamming the 520-pound Andre the Giant in front of over 93,000 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome is seared into wrestling’s collective memory. For many, that moment was wrestling. It redefined what a main event could be. “That was probably the biggest memory I can think of and probably the most iconic,” said Will, my co-host on MTMV’s Main Card. “I remember watching with my grandfather. It was one of my earliest memories.”
For others, the defining moment came years later—on a WCW beach, under the hot lights of Bash at the Beach, when Hogan shocked the world with his historic heel turn. “I was screaming to the top of my lungs,” Tha Voyze said on our show. “Hollywood? No way! But there he was, aligning with the Outsiders, turning villain, and changing the industry again.” The nWo was born, and Hogan proved he could reinvent himself—reviving a career and an entire promotion.
A Legacy Larger Than Wrestling
Hogan wasn’t just the face of the WWE—he was the brand. From ice cream bars to lunchboxes, TV shows to feature films, there was no escaping the red-and-yellow hurricane. Whether it was “Thunder in Paradise,” Mr. Nanny, or his brief but memorable turn as Thunderlips in Rocky III, Hogan brought wrestling into homes that had never watched a match.
“He was the first global wrestling superstar,” Will noted. “He was the bridge from regional wrestling to international stardom. He made wrestling cool, accessible, marketable. Without Hogan, there’s no blueprint for The Rock or John Cena. He was the first real-life superhero who didn’t wear a cape.”
With 12 world titles across WWE, WCW, and NJPW, and as the headliner of the first eight WrestleManias, Hogan’s résumé is unmatched. But beyond the championships, he was the one who made people care about professional wrestling.
The Complicated Truth
Yet, no legacy is without its shadows. Hogan’s career in later years was marked by controversy, most notably his racially charged comments that became public in 2015. The apology that followed felt hollow to many, and his reintroduction to WWE was met with a mix of cheers and heavy boos.
“There are many who grew up loving Hulk Hogan but now feel complicated about him,” Will said honestly. “It’s hard to cheer for the ‘Real American’ when the man behind the character didn’t reflect those values.” He drew a thoughtful comparison to other once-beloved icons like Bill Cosby, noting that time, perspective, and accountability change how we remember people.
And that’s the tension. We remember the childlike awe. The poses. The music. The power slams. But we also remember the missed opportunities for true reconciliation and growth.
Hogan’s Final Years and Final Message
In his final public appearance this past January, Hogan was met with a chorus of boos. “That’s what stuck with me,” Will said. “You wanted to cheer. But people didn’t forget.” And yet, in recent years, reports say he was baptized and professed faith in Christ. While the details of his spiritual journey remain private, it offers a measure of hope that, perhaps, some of the inner work was being done.
As we closed out our show, Will said something that stuck:
“Hulk Hogan was a real American. But Terry Bollea, in his later years, became what many feel America is right now—complex, unhealed, and unfinished.”
That may be the most honest eulogy we can offer.
A Final Bell
Hulk Hogan gave us moments that defined childhoods, supercharged arenas, and changed the course of an entire industry. He was both Superman and Lex Luthor, hero and heel. And while the man behind the mustache leaves a complicated legacy, one thing remains true: Wrestling would not be what it is today without him.
Rest in power, Hulk Hogan. The bell tolls ten times in your honor.
And to those reading this, may we all remember that tomorrow is not promised.
Live with intention. Love without delay. And as always…
Keep fighting the good fight.
