Tragedy struck the entertainment industry and wrestling community on Thursday with the news that global icon Hulk Hogan has passed away at his home in Clearwater, Florida at the age of 71. Hogan, a towering figure in professional wrestling,

Hulk Hogan evolved from a sports entertainer to lifestyle brand through authenticity and expansion, with recent ventures that included a beer brand and freestyle wrestling organization.

The opening chords of Rick Derringer’s hard-rock guitar would play over the arena sound system. Instantly, 20,000 Hulkamaniacs — and many more as wrestling’s popularity and stadium size exploded — rose to their feet in a frenzy to catch a glimpse of Hulk Hogan storming toward the ring.

In sports, living in Florida seems to be part of being a GOAT, from Tom Brady and Tiger Woods to Kelly Slater, Serena Williams and the late Hulk Hogan

"To millions of little kids you were a childhood hero - myself included," Johnson wrote of his fellow wrestling legend, who died Thursday at the age of 71.

Hulk Hogan's journey from WWE wrestling star to Hollywood actor included memorable roles in "Rocky III" and the reality show "Hogan Knows Best" before his death at age 71.

Hogan's close friend and longtime on-screen manager said he was in "phenomenal" health just two days before his death