Hulk Hogan was at the center of rumors that his health was declining just a few weeks before the news of his death on Thursday.
The WWE legend, 71, was taken by ambulance from his home in Clearwater, Fla., early Thursday, with a 911 call citing “cardiac arrest,” according to TMZ, which reported Hogan was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Clearwater Police Maj. Nate Burnside said Hogan died at 11:17 a.m. and there were “no signs of foul play or suspicious activity.”
Fans started speculating about Hogan’s health around mid-June, when Bubba the Love Sponge, host of his titular Tampa-based radio show who had the wrestler as his best man for his 2007 wedding, reported that Hogan was hospitalized and wasn’t doing well.
“Allegedly Hogan is in the hospital and I’ve heard people say that he might not make it,” Bubba said, adding that he had a “pretty damn reliable” source on the matter.
At the time, a rep for Hogan told TMZ the WWE Hall of Famer isn’t close to death — with the outlet writing, “He’s just dealing with more of the same ailments he’s had for years. In fact, we’re told Hogan’s back to moving around already.”
A month prior, Hogan underwent a neck surgery, which his rep described as a “little fusion procedure” in May.
Fellow WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff also denied Bubba’s report.
Bischoff and Hogan’s new promotion, Real American Freestyle Wrestling, announced Monday that its first live event, taking place in Cleveland on August 30, will air on FOX Nation.
On July 22, WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart tweeted that “Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal!”
He added, “Last night at karaoke with Nick was absolutely fantastic, baby!!!” seemingly referring to Hogan’s son, Nick.
Bubba has been reporting on Hogan throughout July, claiming the wrestler’s condition was getting worse.
On July 9, Bubba doubled down on his report and claimed Hogan was in the ICU for nearly six weeks.
“I don’t know if we’ll ever see Hogan again,” Bubba said.
At the time, Bubba claimed Hogan was “confused” and “not in any condition to be in the public eye.”
In an Instagram post shared July 1, Bubba wrote, “Sources say Hogan remains hospitalized with growing concerns about possible brain damage caused by prolonged breathing issues.
“At one point, he was reportedly on a ventilator. While we can’t confirm if he still is, insiders say his lung function is so weak that carbon dioxide buildup may have caused serious mental fog — or worse.
“What started with neck and heart complications has now possibly evolved into a pulmonary-brain crisis.”
On July 11, Hogan’s wife, yoga instructor Sky Daily, denied rumors that the WWE Hall of Famer was in a coma and had brain damage, stating that “his heart is strong” and he was recovering from a recent neck surgery.
“No, he’s definitely not in a coma! His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage… none of those rumors are true,” Sky wrote. “He’s been recovering from a major four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF), which is an intense surgery with a long and layered healing process. If you look it up, you’ll see what the last six weeks have involved… not just for his spine, but also for his vocal cords, and the eating/breathing tubes that are clamped over during surgery.
“We’ve been in and out of the hospital to support that recovery. So truly, there’s no need for the drama or panic some people try to stir up. He’s healing, and we’re taking it one day at a time with love, strength, and patience.”
Hogan married Sky, who is 25 years his junior, in September 2023, two months after announcing their engagement.