Robert Griffin III Pays Tribute After WWE Legend Hulk Hogan Passes Away at 71 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. WWE icon Hulk Hogan passed away at 71 from a heart attack, according to the WWE and Associated Press.

Hulk Hogan’s tribute to open WWE SmackDown on Friday night was nothing short of a tear-jerker. The event in Cleveland was opened with loud applause and the crowd chanting “Hogan” in unison to honor the late wrestler who died at 71 years old on Thursday. Fellow wrestler Triple H led the tribute for Hogan.

SmackDown was a night of remembrance for WWE. The July 25 edition of WWE's weekly show was the first one to take place since the death of Hulk Hogan, arguably the biggest star in company history. WWE typically holds tributes during shows after former stars have died,

WWE honored Hall of Famer and professional wrestling icon Hulk Hogan on Friday, one day after his passing at 71 years old.

Hogan also famously wrestled for WWE competitor World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the 1990s, turning heel (wrestling parlance for bad guy) and becoming Hollywood Hulk Hogan as a member of the New World Order (NWO). He has also wrestled for promotions like New Japan Pro Wrestling and TNA.

Social media users claimed the wrestling icon's death on July 24, 2025, occurred exactly a decade after WWE terminated his contract.

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, died at the age of 71 on Thursday as his family, friends and millions of fans across popular culture mourn.

Hulk Hogan's close friend Jimmy Hart talks exclusively to PEOPLE about the WWE star's health in his final days and reflects on his friendship, after Hogan's death on Thursday, July 24.