“Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?!?!” – the famous battle cry of Hulk Hogan – wasn’t just a catchphrase, it was a cultural moment. There was a time when Hulk could fill more seats than a Super Bowl and command more cable ratings than network news. He wasn’t just a wrestler – he was the main event. He turned wrestling into a household obsession, filling arenas, flipping pay-per-view records, and turning body slams into pop culture moments. If you were a kid in the 80s, chances are you tore a shirt in his honor. His body slams weren’t just crowd-pleasers – they were economy drivers.

By the time he teamed up with Mr. T at the first WrestleMania in 1985, Hulkamania wasn’t just a catchphrase. It was a national movement. Wrestling, once a sideshow curiosity, had gone prime time. Hogan was the face of it all – big, brash, and unapologetically over-the-top. Whether it was lifting Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in front of 80,000 people or turning heel to launch the NWO (New World Order) in the ‘90s, Hogan was wrestling’s pop culture heartbeat.

On Thursday morning, that heartbeat stopped. Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, suffered a cardiac arrest Thursday morning in Clearwater, Florida. Police confirmed there was no foul play. “There were no signs of foul play or suspicious activity.” He was pronounced dead at the hospital. WWE released a statement honoring the Hall of Famer, “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 mustache, the flex, and the voice. He was larger than life. Now, he leaves behind a legacy even bigger.

This was the same man who once held the WWF championship for 1,474 consecutive days, made a thunderous return against The Rock at WrestleMania 18, and even turned boos into cheers with a smirk and a leg drop. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 and stayed busy in the decades that followed. He wasn’t just remembered – he refused to be forgotten. Whether it was Trump rallies or Netflix cameos, Hogan never retired his flair for drama.

Hulk Hogan hadn’t wrestled since 2012, but he hadn’t stepped out of the spotlight either. Even with nagging back issues, Hogan stayed busy – co-founding Real American Freestyle Wrestling and working on a bar across from MSG, the site of his WrestleMania I glory. Still sparking headlines – good, bad, and beer-soaked. Hogan kept finding ways to stay relevant in a changing media world. At 71, he was still pushing product, still stirring buzz, still Hogan. So, naturally, the shock of his passing wasn’t limited to wrestling fans.

Aikman, McAfee & NFL stars reflect on Hulk Hogan’s last bell

News of Hogan’s death at 71 sent shockwaves through the sports world on Thursday. NFL stars, many of whom grew up watching Hogan rip his shirt and drop that famous leg, poured out tributes across social media. But few hit the note quite like Troy Aikman, who had actually worked with Hogan on promotions years ago. “From a fan to a friend—working with Hulk Hogan for a few years was a thrill and a privilege,” Aikman wrote on Instagram. “He was every bit the showman and entertainer we all grew up watching. Rest in peace, Hulk🙏🏼”

Their connection wasn’t just for the cameras. Back in 2012, the two even co-hosted a Rent-A-Center contest, looking for the ultimate superfan. It was a strange pairing – one stoic quarterback, one neon-clad wrestling icon – but somehow, it worked. That was Hogan’s gift. He could cross into any arena, any audience, and still command the spotlight.

Pat McAfee, no stranger to mixing wrestling and football, kept his tribute simple but sharp: “Rest easy, brother.” Michael Irvin went more heartfelt: “RIP MY BROTHER @HULKHOGAN 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾.” It was raw, it was real – and it summed up just how deeply Hogan’s legacy cuts across sports. Even in death, Hulk Hogan pulled off one last main event. And this time, all the locker rooms – both wrestling and football – stood and paid their respects.