HULK Hogan appeared full of life in one of his final TV interviews as he promoted an exciting new wrestling league.
Hogan was in the midst of creating a huge project when he suddenly died at 71 years old on Thursday.
Hulk Hogan was full of energy when he gave one of his final TV interviews in May[/caption]
The WWE star, seen in 2010, died on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest[/caption]
First responders rushed to his mansion in Clearwater, Florida and desperately tried to save his life for 30 minutes[/caption]
In May, the WWE Hall of Famer sat down with Fox & Friends to chat about his new league Real American Freestyle.
The freestyle wrestling promotion, which was cofounded by the late star, combines the athleticism of the collegiate and Olympic sports with the entertainment of WWE, Hogan said.
Hogan and his league partners looked bright-eyed as they chatted with the Fox morning hosts about the fresh talent they were introducing to viewers.
The star was dressed in his iconic bandana with his bleach blonde hair peeking through and his horseshoe mustache shining bright against his tanned skin.
The WWE legend gushed about the young wrestlers competing in the league and said they understood how to put on a good show.
At the end of the interview, Hogan launched into one of his iconic promo speeches and said, “It’s gonna be crazy brother!”
“I’m in New York City. I got all lit up last night.”
By the end of the vibrant speech, Hogan had every Fox & Friends host vowing to tune in to the first match at the end of the summer.
Real American Freestyle’s events are set to stream exclusively on Fox Nation.
When approached for comment, a Fox Nation spokesperson said the network was “deeply saddened” to hear of Hogan’s death.
“Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and his many fans,” the spokesperson said.
A source inside the network confirmed they would move forward with two inaugural events for Real American Freestyle that will take place on August 30.
Hulk Hogan career timeline
1977: Made his professional wrestling debut.
1979: Joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and gained recognition.
1982: Appeared as “Thunderlips” in the film Rocky III, significantly boosting his mainstream exposure.
1984: Defeated The Iron Sheik to win his first WWF Championship, ushering in the “Hulkamania” era.
1985: Main evented the first-ever WrestleMania, teaming with Mr. T against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.
1987: Slammed Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in one of wrestling’s most iconic moments.
1993: Departed WWF for World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
1996: Shocked the wrestling world by turning heel and forming the New World Order (nWo) with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash at Bash at the Beach, becoming “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan.
2001: Returned to WWE after WCW was acquired.
2002: Had a memorable match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8.
2005: Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
2005-2007: Starred in the reality TV show “Hogan Knows Best.”
2012: Had his last official televised match for TNA Impact, though he made sporadic appearances in WWE afterward.
2020: Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for a second time as a member of the nWo.
HOGAN’S HEALTH
Hogan had been suffering from significant health issues for the past several months.
He was hospitalized last month as he recovered from a neck surgery that he underwent in May.
In June, a series of downturns left him reportedly unable to feel his legs or walk without a cane.
Some people feared that he was on his deathbed, though multiple friends close to the wrestler denied or downplayed his poor health.
Hogan looked full of life as he promoted his new league[/caption]
Hogan was inducted to the WWE Hall of Fame twice after a historic career[/caption]
He gave a rousing speech at the Republican National Convention around one year before his death[/caption]
Hogan suffered cardiac arrest at his $11.5 million Clearwater, Florida, mansion on Thursday morning, police confirmed.
Paramedics rushed to the property after getting a frantic 911 call and spent a desperate 30 minutes trying to revive the wrestling legend before taking him to the hospital, where he was declared dead.
Hogan’s wife, Sky, broke her silence on his death Friday, and said, “I wasn’t ready for this.”
She admitted that her husband had been “dealing with some health issues” but insisted she thought he would pull through.
“I had so much faith in his strength. I thought we had more time,” she said.
Sky remembered Hogan as “my partner” and “my heart” and had faith that, as a Christian, he had been “welcomed home.”
“Please keep his family and all of us who loved him in your prayers as we try to navigate this new reality,” she wrote.
Hulk Hogan tributes
Tributes have poured in for Hulk Hogan following his death at 71 years old.
“When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan. My heart breaks for Nick and Brooke. Rest in peace, brother.” – Charlotte Flair
“Saddened To Hear About The Passing of Hulk Hogan…I Guess God Needed An Incredible Angel. R.I.P. My Friend.” – Sergeant Slaughter
“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!” – Ric Flair
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. 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.” – WWE
“R.I.P to a legend. HULK HOGAN.” – Donald Trump Jr.
“Hulk Hogan was a great American icon. One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid. The last time I saw him we promised we’d get beers together next time we saw each other. The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.” – Vice President JD Vance
