8 Shocking Things Hulk Hogan Did Before His Death: The Unfiltered Legacy Of An Immortal Icon

The question "What did Hulk Hogan do?" has taken on a profoundly different meaning since the legendary wrestling icon passed away earlier this year. As of December 10, 2025, the focus has shifted from his current projects and appearances to a definitive examination of his complicated legacy, the events of his final months, and the shocking details surrounding his death. The man born Terry Gene Bollea was a cultural phenomenon whose life was a rollercoaster of unprecedented highs—creating "Hulkamania"—and devastating lows, including a multi-million dollar lawsuit and career-damaging controversies that permanently tarnished his reputation.

The final chapter of Hogan’s life was as dramatic as his wrestling career, featuring a surprising final WWE appearance, a major Hollywood project being shelved, and the official confirmation of a serious health battle. From the peak of the WWF (now WWE) to the controversial depths of his personal life, this article dives deep into the most significant actions and events that defined the life and death of "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan.

Terry Gene Bollea: A Complete Biography and Profile

Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, was arguably the most recognizable name in professional wrestling history, a figure whose charisma transcended the sport and made him a global pop culture sensation. His career spanned five decades, marked by a heroic, all-American persona that fueled the 1980s wrestling boom and a shocking heel turn that defined the "Monday Night Wars."

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• Real Name: Terry Gene Bollea
• Born: August 11, 1953
• Died: July 24, 2025 (Aged 71)
• Place of Birth: Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
• Cause of Death: Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
• Ring Names: Hulk Hogan, Hollywood Hogan, Sterling Golden, Terry Boulder
• Major Promotions: World Wrestling Federation (WWF/WWE), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
• Career Highlights: 12-time World Champion (6-time WWF/WWE Champion, 6-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion), Two-time WWE Hall of Fame inductee (as Hulk Hogan and as a member of the New World Order - NWO).
• Pop Culture: Star of the reality show Hogan Knows Best and films like No Holds Barred and Suburban Commando.

1. The Official Cause of Death and Battle with Leukemia

The most recent and significant event defining Hulk Hogan's legacy is his sudden passing on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71. The wrestling world was stunned by the news, which quickly led to an outpouring of tributes and speculation about his final moments.

Acute Myocardial Infarction and Underlying Health Issues

The official cause of death was confirmed as Acute Myocardial Infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, which occurred at his home in Clearwater, Florida. However, the medical examiner's report revealed a critical detail that had been largely kept private: Hogan had been battling leukemia for a period of time. This underlying health condition, combined with the extreme physical toll of decades in professional wrestling, is believed to have contributed to the cardiac event. The revelation of his struggle with leukemia provided a new, somber context to his final public appearances, suggesting a private battle fought away from the spotlight.

2. He Was Booed Off Stage at WWE's Netflix Debut

In a bizarre and highly publicized event just months before his death, Hulk Hogan made a surprise appearance at the first-ever episode of WWE Raw broadcast on Netflix. The event, held at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, was meant to be a celebration of the WWE's new era and its biggest star's return.

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The Shocking Crowd Reaction

Instead of the usual "Hulkamania" cheers, Hogan was reportedly booed "out of the building" by the modern WWE crowd. This reaction was a stark contrast to his iconic status and was widely discussed as a reflection of the younger audience's awareness of his past controversies, including the leaked racist remarks and the sex tape scandal. Hogan, visibly stunned by the negative reception, attempted his signature shirt-ripping routine but the moment was overshadowed by the negative response. This final, awkward appearance became one of the last major public acts of his career, highlighting the permanent split between his legendary in-ring persona and his controversial public image.

3. He Was the Subject of a 'Quietly' Developing Netflix Docuseries

Despite his passing, Hogan's image and story continue to be a major subject of media interest. One of the most significant projects in his final year was a major Netflix docuseries that had been "quietly" in development since 2024. This production is expected to be a comprehensive look at his entire life, from his humble beginnings as Terry Bollea to the height of "Hulkamania" and the subsequent scandals.

The Biopic That Was Shelved

In a separate, but related Hollywood development, the long-anticipated Hulk Hogan biopic, which was set to star Chris Hemsworth and be produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, was reportedly shelved in July 2025. The cancellation of the film, which was to focus on his early career, was a major disappointment for fans. However, the continuation of the Netflix docuseries suggests that while a fictionalized account was deemed too difficult or sensitive to produce, the appetite for a factual, deep-dive documentary remains incredibly high.

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4. The Infamous Gawker Sex Tape and Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit

No discussion of what Hulk Hogan did is complete without addressing the defining legal and personal scandal of his later life: the leaked sex tape and the subsequent lawsuit against Gawker Media. This event, which began in 2012, had massive implications for both his career and the future of online journalism.

Hogan sued Gawker for invasion of privacy after the website published excerpts from a private sex tape. The legal battle was long and highly public, culminating in a Florida jury awarding Hogan $140 million in damages. The verdict ultimately led to the bankruptcy and closure of Gawker Media, a monumental victory for Hogan and a landmark case in media law. The lawsuit was secretly funded by Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, adding another layer of intrigue to the already sensational case.

5. The Racist Slurs That Led to His WWE Firing

In 2015, Hogan's reputation suffered a catastrophic blow when a transcript from the same secretly recorded sex tape was leaked, revealing him using racist slurs, specifically the N-word, while discussing his daughter, Brooke Hogan, and her then-boyfriend.

• The Fallout: The WWE immediately terminated Hogan's contract, removing all references to him from their website, including his Hall of Fame profile.
• The Apology: Hogan publicly apologized, stating the comments were made eight years prior and were "unacceptable."
• The Reinstatement: After a period of public penance and several years out of the spotlight, the WWE eventually reinstated Hogan into the Hall of Fame, a move that drew mixed reactions from fans and fellow wrestlers, highlighting the controversy that continued to follow him until his death.

6. He Created and Defined 'Hulkamania'

Before the scandals, Hogan's most important action was creating the "Hulkamania" phenomenon in the 1980s. This movement, fueled by his heroic, all-American persona, popularized professional wrestling like never before. His catchphrases—"Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?"—and his signature look (yellow and red attire, tear-away shirt) became global icons.

7. He Shocked the World by Forming the NWO

In 1996, Hogan executed one of the most successful and shocking heel turns in wrestling history. He abandoned his "Hulkamania" persona to become the villainous Hollywood Hogan and co-founded the New World Order (NWO) faction in WCW. This move revitalized his career, fueled the "Monday Night Wars" against the WWF, and is considered one of the most brilliant creative decisions in the industry's history.

8. He Admitted to Steroid Use

During the 1994 federal trial against WWE Chairman Vince McMahon regarding steroid distribution, Hogan acknowledged under oath that he had used anabolic steroids dating back to 1976. This admission, while damaging to his "Say Your Prayers and Eat Your Vitamins" image, was a significant moment of transparency that provided a glimpse into the darker side of the wrestling industry during that era.