- WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has died at age 71.
- Hogan’s career spanned decades, with iconic moments including his WrestleMania III victory over Andre the Giant in Pontiac, Michigan.
Legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan is dead at the age of 71, as first reported by TMZ. He is reported to have suffered from a cardiac arrest.
The WWE superstar was rumored to have been suffering health issues, rumors his friend Jimmy Hart denied on July 22.
Hogan launched his Hall-of-Fame career with the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) in the 1970s before making his star turn in the 1980s. In fact, one of his early iconic moments took place in Michigan.
Here are a few memories that connect Hogan to Michigan:
Hogan defeats Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III
Hogan was already the WWF World Heavyweight Champion when he faced off in the main event against Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan on March 29, 1987. But this match would make him a legend.
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In a back-and-forth match, Hogan, after previously failing to slam his opponent, scoop slammed Andre the Giant before pinning him to win the world championship. Many wrestling observers claim this match as one of the most important in the history of American professional wrestling, though Hogan would have many more iconic moments as one of WWE’s main figures throughout decades.
Though the figures are disputed, WrestleMania III at the Silverdome is credited as one of the 10 highest-attended events in WWE history.
Hogan goes on Detroit beer tour
After an appearance at the 2024 Republican National Convention, Hogan went on a tour of bars in Metro Detroit to promote Real American Beer.
The tour featured stops at 11 different bars, wine stores and liquor stores over two days as part of the promotion, starting at Zetouna’s in Rochester Hills and ending at The Tin Roof in Detroit.
Hogan stops at Lions camp
A small detour on his tour, Hogan visited the Detroit Lions at their training camp in Allen Park, Michigan on July 25, 2024.
Hogan was there with world heavyweight champion Claressa Shields and met with Lions coach Dan Campbell. While the appearance was certainly newsworthy, it wasn’t without it’s controversy, as Hogan made headlines years prior for some inappropriate comments.
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