Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies aged 71

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has confirmed what we had been fearing for sometime given his bad and declining health of late that the man known for igniting the cult like rage of MILLIONS of fans for once forming the nWo as the long time American hero who told us to eat our victims, and be good for years had turned heel. We grown ups loved the switch as we know the truth about the Entertainment aspect of the sport and loved this man for his character is what the business is about.

He was so popular, there was a name for his era of popularity Hulkamania. Hogan parlayed that stardom into movie roles, including a memorable appearance in Rocky III. He showed that creating a living comic book like heroe that seem bigger than life WAS how it should be if you wanted there to be real growth in the sport, and with the help of owner Vince McMahon they created "Hulkamania" which ran wild all over the world, and Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was the biggest professional wrestler of the 1980's and 90's and went on to achieve fame outside the ring. Also he is responsible for helping gain acceptance for Wrestlers to become successful actors in Hollywood.

In a post on X, the WWE called Hogan "one of pop culture's most recognizable figures," and credits him for helping the brand achieve global recognition. As most kids who grew up in the 80's he was a major hero and a staple in our tv programming as we never missed WWF when it would come on tv just to hope he would come out and say or do something. Til this day I remember watching the Match where he dropped the belt to the Warrior and getting so angry I wanted to destroy the TV. My dad had to stop me while laughing as he was on the inside of how it's all scripted but as a kid I didn't know better. The Hulkster made us believe like Christopher Reeve made us believe a man could fly. Hogan made us believe he was Wrestling's "SUPERMAN" and boy he was that big.

More recently, Hogan was a figure of right-wing politics. During the 2024 Republican National Convention, he spoke on stage, tearing off his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance shirt, saying, "Let Trumpamania run wild, brother." Hogan also became a major figure in the media after the website Gawker published a portion of a sex tape of Hogan in 2012. Funded by billionaire Peter Thiel, Hogan sued parent company Gawker Media. Hogan won the lawsuit. A Florida jury awarded him $140 million, driving Gawker Media into bankruptcy. I kid you not when I say that around the world there are maybe 4 names more known for any sport. But none more than Hulk Hogan for Wrestling. There is Jesus Christ, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Hulk Hogan, Michael Jordan, Donald Trump... These names are known globally. The Hulkster will never die as Hulkamania will live forever.

Rest in Peace Terry Bollea.

WWE supremo Vince McMahon has paid an emotional tribute to the late, great Hulk Hogan after the legendary wrestler's tragic death earlier today at the age of 71.

"The world lost a treasure today. Hulk Hogan was the greatest WWE Superstar of ALL TIME, someone who was loved and admired around the world. He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon.

"His grit and unbridled thirst for success were unparalleled - and made him the consummate performer. He gave everything he had to the audience whom he appreciated, respected and loved.

"He leaves us with one of his favorite expressions, "Train, take your vitamins and say your prayers." Today, we pray for him."

Remembering The Iron Sheik former Wrestling World Champ... 03-15-42 / 06-07-2023 - REST IN PEACE!

Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, better known by his ring name The Iron Sheik... He was Born March 15, 1942 in Damghan, Semnan Province, Iran Died June 7, 2023 (aged 81) The Iron Sheik, was an Iranian-American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and actor. He was the only Iranian champion in WWE history, having won the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1983. Growing up in the 80s and 90s he was often on tv as Champ and his rival with Sargent Slaughter, and Hulk Hogan are the stuff of Wrestling legend. One of the best wrestlers of his day, and one of the best heels ever in the pro entertainment world.



He grew up in a working-class family which had little money and no running water. Although his passport read March 15, he celebrated his birthday on September 9 due to his family alternating between the Gregorian calendar and the Solar Hijri calendar. In his youth, he idolized Iranian Olympic Gold-Medalist wrestler Gholamreza Takhti, and he subsequently made a name for himself as an amateur wrestler; he also worked as a bodyguard for Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his family for several years.



The Iron Sheik was also an actor and he made his film debut in The Tale of the 3 Mohammads in 2005. He then appeared alongside Daniel Baldwin and Corey Feldman in Operation Belvis Bash in 2011. Sheik also made an appearance on the Canadian show Kenny vs. Spenny on the "Who is a better pro wrestler?" episode where he attempted to sodomize a naked Spenny with a beer bottle. He also appeared in Maz Jobrani's 2009 stand-up comedy special Brown & Friendly. The Sheik made an appearance as himself in Robot Chicken, as well as The Eric André Show on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. In 2014, The Iron Sheik acted in a documentary about his life titled "The Sheik."



Vaziri was a Shia Muslim and a soldier in the Imperial Iranian Army. He married American Caryl J. Peterson on March 21, 1976; the best man at the wedding was "Mean" Gene Okerlund (whom the Sheik often referred to as "Gene Mean" in his broken English). He has two living daughters as well as five grandchildren. His eldest daughter Marissa was murdered by her boyfriend Charles Warren Reynolds in May 2003 at the age of 26. Reynolds was taken into custody and later convicted of the crime. Reynolds himself died on May 31, 2016.



Despite promising to repair his family, Vaziri was unable to successfully quit drugs following Marissa's death. In 2005, the family believed Vaziri was a danger to himself and others and forced him to enter rehabilitation; an employee allegedly snuck in cocaine for him. In 2007, Peterson walked out on Vaziri after several failed attempts to make him quit drugs. She returned two years later on the condition that Vaziri sever ties with a friend who helped him acquire them. In 2013, Vaziri said he had been off cocaine for four years.



In August 2013, Iron Sheik's managers Page and Jian Magen crowdsourced $40,441 to write, direct and produce a documentary, Iranian Legend: The Iron Sheik Story. Originally, the documentary was scheduled for a 2008 release under the title Iron Sheik: From A to Z. Sheik's documentary was released in 2014 under the title The Sheik. On November 6, Vaziri challenged the then Mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, to an arm wrestling match at his office.



Starting in the late 2000s, Vaziri became known for his Twitter account, which features violent, profanity-ridden Tweets denouncing various pop culture events. He did not write the Tweets himself; his managers, Jian and Page Magen, handled the account. Vaziri died at his home in Fayetteville, Georgia, on June 7, 2023, at the age of 81. As a life long fan I hope he's now resting in peace, and my condolences to his family for the loss of the legend, and Icon. RIP...