Is there more than meets the eye with the death of the WWE star?
Wrestling star and media personality Hulk Hogan sadly passed away at 71-years-old last month. TMZ Sports first reported that Hogan suffered a “cardiac arrest” event at his Clearwater, Florida home early on July 24, and despite the responding medical personnel’s best efforts, the WWE star was pronounced dead at the hospital later that morning.
Hulk Hogan joined what was then known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1983, and he quickly became a fan favorite and a cultural phenomenon. Pretty much everyone jumped on the “Hulkamania” train.
His theatrics inside and outside the ring created an instant and expansive fanbase, and it could be argued that his presence in the WWF gave the organization the spark it needed to grow into what it is today. Fans recreated anything and everything there was about Hulk Hogan – from his signature wrestling moves to his instantly recognizable bandana and handlebar mustache combo.
He was truly an icon in the wrestling world, and the WWE shared this statement upon learning of his passing:
“WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans.”
On August 5th, Hulk Hogan was “laid to rest,” and friends and family gathered to celebrate the life of the wrestling star.
I put quotations around “laid to rest” because, according to TMZ, Hogan’s body has yet to be cremated. That’s because his widow, Sky, is entirely convinced that Hogan’s cause of death was not a heart attack… but rather the result of medical malpractice from a recent surgery the WWE Hall of Famer went through.
Law enforcement that responded to Hogan’s Florida residence following the 911 call told TMZ that there was an occupational therapist present at Hulk’s home when he stopped breathing. The police report apparently included that therapist told the police officers that arrived at the scene that Hogan was a victim of medical malpractice. The occupational therapist stated that a surgeon that worked on either his most recent heart or neck surgery severed his “phrenic nerve,” which is in charge of stimulating the diaphragm, thus controlling breathing. TMZ’s sources say that Hogan never clutched at his heart or showed signs of a heart attack. Instead, he just suddenly stopped breathing.
TMZ says the conversations between the officers and the occupational therapist were likely captured on body cam.
Hogan’s widow says that an autopsy has now been completed on Hulk Hogan after she fought to have one done for weeks. She declined to share those results with TMZ, but was able to confirm that the wrestling icon still hasn’t been cremated. Sky also insists that her late husband’s phrenic nerve was compromised.
Obviously, this information somewhat combats the initial reporting that Hulk Hogan simply died from a heart attack. Autopsy results, as well as body cam footage potentially being released, could help piece together the puzzle of Hogan’s official cause of death. Only time will tell if the results, and those videos, will be released… but you’d think that Hogan’s family wants to make sure all necessary information comes to light.
RIP Hulkster.
