CLEARWATER, FLORIDA – July 24, 2025, 11:30 PM EST – The wrestling universe is in mourning following the sudden death of WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, real name Terry Gene Bollea, at his Clearwater, Florida home on Thursday morning. Emergency services responded to a 911 call at 9:51 AM, reporting a cardiac arrest, but despite heroic efforts by paramedics, Hogan was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital. In a dramatic turn, Hogan’s wife, Sky Daily, was arrested hours later, with police probing her alleged financial troubles, including a reported $750,000 loss from failed stock market investments, as a potential motive.
Hulk Hogan, 71, was the cornerstone of WWE’s rise to global prominence in the 1980s, embodying the “Hulkamania” phenomenon that captivated millions. A six-time WWE champion, Hogan headlined the first WrestleMania in 1985 and became a pop culture icon through roles in Rocky III, Hogan Knows Best, and recent ventures like Real American Beer. His passing has prompted an outpouring of grief, with fellow Hall of Famer Ric Flair writing on X, “Hulk was an incredible athlete, talent, and friend. This loss is devastating.”
Clearwater Police Department confirmed that emergency crews arrived at Hogan’s beachfront estate to find him unresponsive. Video footage from the scene, obtained by WWE News, shows paramedics performing CPR as Hogan was loaded into an ambulance. The official cause of death is listed as cardiac arrest, but authorities are investigating “irregularities” at the scene, including discrepancies in Hogan’s medication records. The residence has been cordoned off as a crime scene, with forensic teams collecting evidence.
Sky Daily, whom Hogan married in September 2023, was detained at 3:15 PM on Thursday. Law enforcement sources allege that Daily, a yoga instructor, faced mounting debts after losing over $750,000 in risky stock market trades, primarily in volatile tech stocks, through an unregulated brokerage firm. Court filings reviewed by WWE News reveal that Daily had taken out high-interest loans to cover these losses, placing her in financial jeopardy. A close associate of the couple told investigators, “Sky was obsessed with securing her future. She saw Terry’s wealth as her way out.” Hogan’s estate, valued at approximately $25 million, includes his Clearwater mansion, WWE royalties, and intellectual property from his new wrestling league, Real American Freestyle.
Hogan’s health had been under scrutiny since undergoing a four-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in May 2025. In June, Daily publicly refuted claims that Hogan was in a coma, stating on Instagram, “His heart is strong, and he’s recovering steadily.” However, a source close to Hogan’s medical team told WWE News that his recovery was complicated by chronic pain and a regimen of medications, including anticoagulants and opioids, which required careful monitoring. “Any mismanagement of those drugs could be catastrophic,” said Dr. Emily Hartwell, a pharmacologist consulted by WWE News.
The arrest of Sky Daily has cast a shadow over Hogan’s legacy. Daily, who has two children from a prior relationship, presented herself as a devoted partner, sharing moments like their joint baptism in December 2023. Yet, family tensions were evident. Hogan’s daughter, Brooke, skipped their wedding, and his ex-wife, Linda Claridge, publicly lamented family strife in March 2025. A household employee, speaking anonymously, told WWE News, “Sky was always talking about money. She’d get upset when Terry hesitated to fund her ideas.”
Investigators are focusing on Daily’s financial dealings, including a $200,000 loan from a private lender in April 2025, which she failed to repay. Bank records show multiple transfers from joint accounts to offshore investment firms, raising red flags. Police are also analyzing Hogan’s medical records to determine if his medications were tampered with, with one officer noting, “We’re looking at everything, from accidental overdose to intentional harm.” A toxicology report is expected within days.
Hogan’s contributions to wrestling are unparalleled. His iconic battles against Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, and The Rock defined an era, earning him two WWE Hall of Fame inductions (2005 and 2020 for NWO). His recent appearances, including a Trump endorsement at the 2024 Republican National Convention, kept him in the spotlight. Donald Trump Jr. posted on X, “R.I.P to a legend,” with a photo alongside Hogan.
WWE issued a heartfelt statement: “Hogan was a trailblazer who made wrestling a global phenomenon. Our thoughts are with his family and fans.” As the investigation continues, the wrestling world awaits answers, grappling with the loss of a legend and the unsettling allegations surrounding his final moments.
