Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71.
TMZ.com broke the news, reporting the following on Thursday morning:
Hulk Hogan Dead at 71
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died at 71 years old, TMZ Sports has learned.
Medics were dispatched to the 71-year-old WWE legend's Clearwater, Florida home early Thursday morning ... with operators stating it was regarding a "cardiac arrest."
We're told a slew of police cars and EMTs were parked outside Hogan's home ... and the icon was carried on a stretcher and into an ambulance.
Just a few weeks ago, Hogan's wife, Sky, denied rumors he was in a coma ... stating his heart was "strong" as he recovered from surgeries.
We broke the story last month -- there were rumblings Hogan was on his "deathbed" ... but we were told at the time he was just dealing with the symptoms of a neck procedure he underwent in May.
Hulk transformed professional wrestling into a family entertainment sport. Before Hulk, wrestling catered to a fairly narrow audience. Hulk's theatrics in the ring was magnetic for children and their parents, and it supercharged the sport.
In 1996, Hulk transformed himself from hero to villain ... by creating the NWO -- New World Order -- and became Hollywood Hulk Hogan. It propelled him and professional wresting to even more fame.
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