Hulk Hogan’s Death Keeps Getting Sadder & Sadder | WWE News

When news broke of Hulk Hogan’s death on July 24, 2025, fans around the world were heartbroken. But as more details continue to emerge, what was already a devastating loss has become something even more tragic.

This isn’t just the story of a wrestling legend’s final days — it’s a story of hidden pain, quiet battles, and a man who gave everything to the spotlight while suffering in silence.

🕊️ The Shocking End of a Wrestling Icon

Hulk Hogan — real name Terry Gene Bollea — died at the age of 71 in his Clearwater, Florida home. The official cause: acute myocardial infarction (a heart attack). Paramedics were called to his residence around 10 a.m. and performed CPR for nearly half an hour before transporting him to Morton Plant Hospital. Sadly, he was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

At the time, fans assumed it was sudden. A tragic but natural end to an aging superstar’s life.

But it wasn’t that simple.

🧬 A Private Health Crisis No One Knew About

What the world didn’t know — what Hogan never told the public — was that he had been fighting a quiet, personal battle for years. Medical reports have now confirmed that Hogan was also suffering from:

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) — a form of blood cancer.

Atrial fibrillation — a heart rhythm disorder that greatly increases the risk of stroke and heart failure.

For years, Hogan had been undergoing surgeries, taking medications, and dealing with the side effects of chronic illness — all while appearing at conventions, meet-and-greets, and making WWE cameos like everything was fine.

Behind the sunglasses and the smile… he was in pain.

🦴 Over 25 Surgeries. A Cane. No Complaints.

By the time of his death, Hogan had reportedly undergone more than 25 surgeries. His spine. His knees. His hips. Each one a toll taken from decades of slamming bodies in the ring and carrying the weight of the wrestling world.

In May 2025, he underwent major spinal surgery that left him walking with a cane. Still, he appeared at events in early June — shaking hands, flashing his signature smile, and posing with fans.

Not once did he mention cancer.

Not once did he show weakness.

💬 Loved Ones Thought He Was Getting Better

Perhaps the saddest detail of all: those closest to him thought he was improving. His wife, Sky Daily, reportedly believed he was “finally turning a corner” just weeks before his passing.

He was eating clean. Attending appointments. Trying to recover from his most recent surgery.

“He was trying so hard,” one family friend shared. “And that’s what makes this so heartbreaking. We thought we had more time.”

🕯️ WWE Pays Tribute… And Fans Mourn Deeper

In the days after his death, WWE aired video packages celebrating his greatest moments — from his epic match with André the Giant to his emotional return at WrestleMania 18. But as more information has emerged, fans have begun to look at those clips differently.

The tears hit harder now.

The “Hulkamania” chants feel more bittersweet.

Because now we know: he wasn’t just a warrior in the ring — he was fighting for his life behind the curtain.

🧡 The Final Chapter of a Global Icon

Hulk Hogan was a cultural force. He wasn’t perfect — no one is — but he represented an era where charisma, grit, and power ruled the ring. He gave everything to the fans. And in return, the fans never left his side.

Now, as the full picture of his final years comes into focus, it’s clear this isn’t just the story of how Hulk Hogan died.

It’s the story of how hard he tried to keep living.

✨ What We’re Left With

We’re left with memories:
The leg drops. The promos. The posing.
The red and yellow.
The belief that you could overcome anything if you just believed hard enough.

We’re also left with a painful realization:
Even heroes suffer. Even icons break down.
And sometimes, the strongest people are the ones hiding the most.