Ric Flair Pays Emotional Tribute After WWE Rival Hulk Hogan’s Death originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Wrestling icon Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea died Thursday at age 71 in Clearwater, Florida, TMZ has confirmed.

But over the past half century, the headlining star—the one whose name tops the marquee, and who is paid the most money—has usually been someone like Hulk Hogan. Hogan himself was uncommonly tall, blessed with biceps bigger than a baby’s head,

Hulk Hogan evolved from a sports entertainer to lifestyle brand through authenticity and expansion, with recent ventures that included a beer brand and freestyle wrestling organization.

The opening chords of Rick Derringer’s hard-rock guitar would play over the arena sound system. Instantly, 20,000 Hulkamaniacs — and many more as wrestling’s popularity and stadium size exploded — rose to their feet in a frenzy to catch a glimpse of Hulk Hogan storming toward the ring.

Bubba the Love Sponge, Hulk Hogan's former best friend, discussed the professional wrestler's recent death after their complicated history.

In sports, living in Florida seems to be part of being a GOAT, from Tom Brady and Tiger Woods to Kelly Slater, Serena Williams and the late Hulk Hogan