By Shaun Gallagher, WRAL reporter
Just hours before fan convention GalaxyCon Raleigh opened its doors Thursday, the news broke that professional wrestler Hulk Hogan had died at the age of 71 in Clearwater, Florida.
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was an icon in the world of professional wrestling in the 1980s and 1990s. He later branched into reality TV and other projects.
Many professional wrestlers are set to attend GalaxyCon at the Raleigh Convention Center Thursday through Sunday.
“When that music hit, I was all in. I was a ‘Hulkamaniac’ for those few minutes, but he electrified a crowd,” said Mick Foley, who wrestled for WWE under a variety of names including Cactus Jack and Mankind.
Glenn Jacobs, also known as wrestler Kane, told WBIR that Hogan was “integral in making professional wrestling, specifically WWE, what it is today.”
“When you think of professional wrestling, you think of Hulk Hogan,” Jacobs told WBIR.
Jacobs is also scheduled to appear at GalaxyCon this weekend.
Wrestler Ric Flair shared reaction to Hogan’s death on social media, saying he was “absolutely shocked.”
“Hulk has been by my side since we started in the wrestling business. An incredible athlete, talent, friend and father,” Flair wrote.
GalaxyCon fan convention continues through Sunday. The event’s first free street festival will be held Saturday and Sunday on Fayetteville Street. WRAL is a media partner of that event.
