Latest news with #NBCUniversalCableEntertainment2015Upfront
Newsweek
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Multiple WWE Legends Reportedly Set For Hulk Hogan Tribute Show
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The professional wrestling world is mourning the loss of one of its most important and recognizable figures, Hulk Hogan, who passed away on July 24 at the age of 71. Tonight, WWE is preparing to honor the life and career of "The Hulkster" with a major tribute on Friday Night SmackDown. According to a new report from the company is bringing in a stacked lineup of wrestling legends and Hall of Famers to pay tribute to their friend and colleague. Legends To Appear At Tribute The PWInsider report confirms several names are scheduled to be in attendance for tonight's special tribute segment. The list includes some of Hogan's closest friends and contemporaries from the "Hulkamania" era. Confirmed names include Gerald Brisco, Brian Blair, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart, and "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. WWE has reportedly contacted numerous other legends to either appear live or film tribute packages for the show. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match Heartbreaking Final Days The tribute comes as new details have emerged about Hogan's final days. According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Hogan's health had rapidly declined following a neck surgery on May 14. The report states he was suffering from renal failure and severe COPD. FILE - Hulk Hogan attends the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2015 Upfront at The Jacob Javits Center on May 14, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) FILE - Hulk Hogan attends the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2015 Upfront at The Jacob Javits Center on May 14, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) Evan Agostini/AP Sources close to the situation told the Observer that Hogan was in home-hospice care. Emergency services were called to his Clearwater, Florida, home on July 24 for cardiac arrest, and he was later pronounced dead. The Immortal Hulk Hogan: A Global Icon It is impossible to overstate the impact Hulk Hogan had on professional wrestling and global pop culture. After winning his first WWE Championship from The Iron Sheik in 1984, he launched "Hulkamania," a phenomenon that, combined with the "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection" with MTV, turned WWE from a regional wrestling territory into a global entertainment powerhouse. He was the main event of the first WrestleMania and the undisputed face of the industry for an entire generation. In 1996, he shocked the world by turning heel at WCW's Bash at the Beach, forming the New World Order (nWo) with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. This act of betrayal was one of the most pivotal moments in wrestling history, launching the Monday Night Wars and reinventing Hogan for a new era. His larger-than-life persona led to movie roles, television shows, and a level of mainstream celebrity that no wrestler before him had ever achieved. He was, and will forever be, "immortal." More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Did Hulk Hogan pass away from a cardiac arrest? Details of 911 call revealed
WWE legend Hulk Hogan has died, WWE confirmed on Thursday. He was 71 years old. As per TMZ, Hogan, whose real name was Terry Gene Bollea, was found dead at his home in Clearwater, Florida, in the morning. Hulk Hogan attends the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2015 Upfront at The Jacob Javits Center(Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) The report further added that medics were dispatched to Hulk Hogan's home after 911 operators received a 'cardiac arrest' call. Officials are yet to release the cause of his death and other specifics. '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,' WWE said in its statement. Hogan, a towering figure in the world of professional wrestling, was mourned by his colleagues and fans worldwide. Read More: Hulk Hogan dead at 71: All on WWE legend's wife Sky Daily, and children Brooke & Nick 'R.I.P to a legend. HULK HOGAN,' President Donald Trump's eldest son, Trump Jr, wrote on X, platform formerly known as Twitter. 'I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn't Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend! 🙏🏻' Ric Flair tweeted. Hogan won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. He was also a celebrity outside the wrestling world, appearing in numerous movies and television shows, including a reality show about his life on VH1, 'Hogan Knows Best.' In 2016, a Florida jury awarded Hogan $115 million in his sex tape lawsuit against Gawker Media. Hogan sued after Gawker in 2012 posted a video of him having sex with his former best friend's wife. Hogan contended the post violated his privacy. (With AP inputs)
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Olympic medalists Snyder, Dake and Brooks sign with Real American Freestyle wrestling
FILE - Hulk Hogan attends the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2015 Upfront at The Jacob Javits Center on May 14, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) FILE - Penn State's Aaron Brooks, top, takes on Northern Iowa's Parker Keckeisen during their 184-pound match in the semifinal round of the NCAA wrestling championships March 19, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) FILE - United States' Kyle Dake, right, celebrates after defeating Japan's Sohsuke Takatani, left, in a 79kg match in the Freestyle Wrestling World Cup in Iowa City, Iowa, April 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File) FILE - Kyle Snyder, of the United States, in red, competes against Cuba's Javier Cortina Lacerra during the men's 97-kg freestyle wrestling competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File) FILE - United States' Kyle Snyder, right, celebrates after winning gold against Cuba's Arturo Silot, left, during the men's 97kg wrestling freestyle final bout at the Pan American Games Santiago, Chile, Nov. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File) FILE - United States' Kyle Snyder, right, celebrates after winning gold against Cuba's Arturo Silot, left, during the men's 97kg wrestling freestyle final bout at the Pan American Games Santiago, Chile, Nov. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File) FILE - Hulk Hogan attends the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2015 Upfront at The Jacob Javits Center on May 14, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) FILE - Penn State's Aaron Brooks, top, takes on Northern Iowa's Parker Keckeisen during their 184-pound match in the semifinal round of the NCAA wrestling championships March 19, 2021, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) FILE - United States' Kyle Dake, right, celebrates after defeating Japan's Sohsuke Takatani, left, in a 79kg match in the Freestyle Wrestling World Cup in Iowa City, Iowa, April 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File) FILE - Kyle Snyder, of the United States, in red, competes against Cuba's Javier Cortina Lacerra during the men's 97-kg freestyle wrestling competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File) FILE - United States' Kyle Snyder, right, celebrates after winning gold against Cuba's Arturo Silot, left, during the men's 97kg wrestling freestyle final bout at the Pan American Games Santiago, Chile, Nov. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File) Olympic medalists Kyle Snyder, Kyle Dake and Aaron Brooks headline the newest additions to the Real American Freestyle wrestling league. The announcement of the signings Thursday comes off the heels of the Tampa, Florida-based company's launch last week. The league, with pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan as the commissioner, will hold its first event Aug. 30 in Cleveland. Advertisement Snyder earned gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and silver in Tokyo in 2021. He's a three-time world champion who won three national titles at Ohio State. Dake is a four-time world champion and two-time Olympic bronze medalist. He was a four-time national champion at Cornell. Brooks, a four-time national champion at Penn State, earned bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics. David Carr and Trent Hidlay also have signed. Carr was a two-time national champion at Iowa State. He was an under-20 world champion, and bronze medalist at the under-17 world championships. Hidlay was a two-time national runner-up at North Carolina State. 'David, Kyle, Aaron, Trent, and Kyle represent the best of the best, and that's who we're targeting for Real American Freestyle," Hogan said in a statement. "Our goal is to give these athletes an opportunity to continue their careers, create a platform for greatness, and inspire a legacy that lasts.' Advertisement Kennedy Blades, a silver medalist at the Paris Games, had already signed on the women's side. She believes the input of people such as Hogan will help it be sustainable. Her longtime coach, Israel Hernandez, is the league's chief operating officer, and she's excited that he's teaming up with Hogan, chief media officer Eric Bischoff and co-founder Chad Bronstein. 'I think the Real American Freestyle wrestling is going to be huge for the sport. I know coach Izzy, at the end of the day, wants to push wrestling to the highest level. 'The goal is to get people outside who don't know anything about wrestling to come watch and invest in the sport financially, being there at the events, stuff like that," she said. 'So I'm really excited about it.' Events will feature eight weight classes with eight matches for men and four for women. Wrestlers will have the opportunity to win a championship purse and bonuses — in adherence to NCAA regulations — for victories. ___ AP sports:
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan to be commissioner of Real American Freestyle
FILE - Oklahoma State's Wyatt Hendrickson, left, takes on Minnesota's Gable Steveson during a 285-pound match in the finals at the NCAA wrestling championship, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) FILE - Professional wrestler Hulk Hogan speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File) FILE - Hulk Hogan attends the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2015 Upfront at The Jacob Javits Center on May 14, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) FILE - Hulk Hogan attends the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2015 Upfront at The Jacob Javits Center on May 14, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) FILE - Oklahoma State's Wyatt Hendrickson, left, takes on Minnesota's Gable Steveson during a 285-pound match in the finals at the NCAA wrestling championship, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) FILE - Professional wrestler Hulk Hogan speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File) FILE - Hulk Hogan attends the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2015 Upfront at The Jacob Javits Center on May 14, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) Hulk Hogan felt sure he was onto something. After watching the NCAA Division I wrestling championships, he was absolutely certain. Hogan is one of the most popular professional wrestlers of all time, and he stayed in that lane until his teenage stepson pulled him into watching freestyle wrestling. After becoming more familiar with it, Hogan started to believe the sport could become more popular and profitable with the right promotion. Advertisement Then, it happened. Last month, Oklahoma State's Wyatt Hendrickson stunned Minnesota's Gable Steveson — an Olympic gold medalist in Tokyo — with a late takedown to claim the national title at heavyweight. Hendrickson saluted President Donald Trump after his victory last month in Philadelphia. Then, with a United States flag draped over his shoulders, the Air Force second lieutenant walked over and shook Trump's hand and hugged him. Hendrickson's dramatic win and the moments that followed vaulted freestyle wrestling into the mainstream and made the timing perfect for Hogan to help launch Real American Freestyle. He'll be commissioner of a league that announced its plans on Wednesday. Hogan wants the league to provide more earnings opportunities for a sport that historically has lacked them. And after Hendrickson's big moment, he feels the time is now. Advertisement 'When I saw that happen and I saw our President hug him, I went, OK, we are on point, we're ready to go and instincts have prevailed and I smell victory,' Hogan said. 'I think we're right on track, brother." Hogan, who at 71 still has those massive arms and the charisma to match, initially was a bit worried that the freestyle wrestlers might not have the personality to sell tickets. He changed his mind as he began to connect with them. 'Dude, they've all got that edge,' he said. 'These kids are young, they're smart. They're watching TV. They know about branding, they know what sells. And they've all got that little Conor McGregor swag.' Real American Freestyle events will feature single matches at eight men's and four women's weight classes. The first event is scheduled for Aug. 30 in Cleveland, with other sites to be named in the coming months. Advertisement Freestyle wrestling has been hot in the United States in recent years. The women's U.S. Olympic freestyle team earned four medals in six weight classes in 2024, while the men claimed three medals. And according to the National Federation of High Schools, wrestling set participation records for boys and girls in 2023 and 2024. Hogan said Kennedy Blades, an American who earned a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will be the face of the women's division. Zahid Valencia and Ben Askren have agreed to participate on the men's side. Hogan said Hendrickson and Steveson are possible additions, and his eyes lit up when the subject of a possible rematch came up. 'How much can we say,' Hogan asked his advisors. 'It's on the radar.' Advertisement Hogan's Real American Beer serves as the title sponsor, and he has plenty of support. Chad Bronstein is the co-founder and president. Left Lane Capital, which has backed Gerard Piqué's Kings League, Shaun White's Snow League and League One Volleyball, among other things, has added this to its list of ventures. Cassius is another sponsor. Hogan knows some fans will be shocked that his next step does not involve pro wrestling, but he's confident in his decision. 'The idea was so exciting that I get a chance to be involved with all these young people and help guide them in any way, especially to make them huge stars and create a future for them,' he said. 'People might be surprised, but wrestling is wrestling, brother.' Because of name, image and likeness deals, college athletes will be able to participate, though Hogan said the league won't interfere with college, national and international competitions. Advertisement Hogan did bring in one connection from his pro wrestling days. Eric Bischoff, who ran World Championship Wrestling in its heyday in the late 1990s and created the famous New World Order storyline, will be the chief media officer. 'Eric jumped in with both feet, and he's doing a lot to guide this ship right now, brother,' Hogan said. 'He's setting so much stuff up production wise — just moving us forward, light years ahead of where we could have been on our own.' Israel Martinez is the chief operating officer. He is an accomplished wrestling coach who has helped build champions in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He was the wrestling coach for Jon Jones and he coached Holly Holm when she upset Ronda Rousey. Hogan said Martinez played a key role in getting USA Wrestling's blessing. Hogan considers the new league an alternative to pro wrestling. Advertisement 'I see this as an opportunity for me to get involved," Hogan said, "to get back, quit sitting on the couch, to get involved with a bunch of powerful athletes that I can relate to as far as championship material, guys that are on top of their game, and I just — I couldn't pass on it.' ___ AP sports:
