The biggest star in the history of professional wrestling, Hulk Hogan, passed away on Thursday, July 24, at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Hogan’s passing was first reported by TMZ, who indicated that the cause of death was due to cardiac arrest.

Hulk Hogan’s impact on professional wrestling is immeasurable. Without him, the wrestling industry wouldn’t exist, or at the very least, it would look a lot different than it does today. He was responsible for the industry’s two biggest boom periods.

In the 1980s, Hogan was already a massive star in Japan and for Vern Gagne’s American Wrestling Association (AWA). He became even more popular for his role in Rocky III as the brash brute, Thunderlips, squaring off against Rocky Balboa.

Hogan became the face of Vince McMahon’s national expansion of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Hulkamania ran wild, WrestleMania was born, and the business and fans alike never looked back.

In the 1990s, Hogan turned heel in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and formed the nWo, which became known as Hollywood Hogan. This move was responsible for WCW surpassing WWE in the late 90s and becoming the top wrestling promotion in the world.

Hulk Hogan transcended wrestling and became an integral part of the pop culture zeitgeist. Even if you didn’t know anything about wrestling, you knew the name of Hulk Hogan. Rick Derringer’s “Real American” wasn’t just Hogan’s entrance music, but the anthem of a generation of ’80s kids.

Of course, when our heroes are often examined, there are incredible highs and incredible lows. Hogan passed away ten years to the day when the tape of his infamous racist rant was published. It irrevocably marred his legacy, causing other misdeeds to come to light while others that were ignored became part of his story.

Hogan apologized for the remarks in a statement released to People magazine; however, the sincerity of his apology was questioned by many. He didn’t help himself when, in 2018, he went to a WWE event to apologize to the locker room, but he didn’t apologize and instead cautioned the wrestlers to be careful of what they say in public.

Later in life, Hogan’s political leanings made him a divisive figure. The reaction he received during his last professional wrestling appearance in January was the antithesis of the acclaim he received throughout his career. The Los Angeles crowd mercifully booed him throughout the segment, which became the headline coming out of the inaugural episode of Monday Night Raw on Netflix.

Hulk Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 before being removed in 2015 for his racist remarks and later reinstated in 2018. WWE sent its condolences to his family and loved ones.

“WWE is saddened to learn that Terry Bollea, recognized globally as Legendary WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, has passed away,” The company wrote. “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.”

Many of Hulk Hogan’s contemporaries, friends, and fellow wrestlers publicly mourned the loss of the wrestling icon with heartfelt tributes.

-Ric Flair

“I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend

@HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn’t Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!”

–Booker T via HOF Podcast

“I thank the dude, Hulk for what he did for the business, as well as, you know, sparking the flame for Harlem Heat to go on a run in WCW, that’ll never be duplicated in all of professional wrestling.

I also thank him for not…you know, getting me fired with my most infamous moment in all of professional wrestling, you know what I mean, that people are still talking about still to this day. That I can’t get away from it. I can’t run away from it. I can’t hide from it or anything like that because of social media.

That day for me….I always wonder what would’ve happened, you know, if that would’ve happened today. You know? I always wonder what would’ve happened if he would’ve taken, um, you know, a certain feeling about that and went to the office and said something. Who knows, where would I be right now?”

– Jake “the Snake” Roberts

“It’s hard to put into words what Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea meant to professional wrestling and entertainment. He may be gone, but his memory and legacy will live forever. RIP Hulkster”

– “Beautiful” Bruce Swayze

“I’m absolutely heartbroken to hear about the unexpected passing of Hulk Hogan. He wasn’t just a colleague. He was a giant in every sense of the word and made wrestling what it is today. Hulk was an icon who made so many of us believe that larger-than-life was possible. He opened the doors for generations of wrestlers to step into the spotlight, and his impact on this business is immeasurable. My heart goes out to his family and fans around the world.” – “Beautiful” Bruce Swayze

– Eric Bischoff

“Thanks for the house Hulkster.”

– Sting

“HULK HOGAN – THE GREATEST OF ALL. Can’t thank you enough for all that you did for me and for wrestling fans all over the world. I loved you and I will miss you. My friend, Terry Bollea, RIP.”

– Steve Austin

“Hulk Hogan was born to be a Professional Wrestler. Larger than life. Charisma for days. He was in a stratosphere all on his own. His contributions are immense. His influence will be forever. Hulkamania lives on. My condolences to his family and loved ones.”