EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Hulk Hogan's Bar Staff In 'Shock' Over WWE Legend's Death After 'Cardiac Arrest' — 'No One Expected This To Happen'
Hulk Hogan died aged 71 on July 24.
July 24 2025, Published 8:14 p.m. ET
Hulk Hogan's fans gathered Thursday at his Clearwater, Florida restaurant to raise a glass and share their memories of the wrestling legend – both the good and the bad, RadarOnline.com can exclusively report.
Hogan, who lived less than two miles from his personally owned restaurant, died on July 24 at 71 years old.
'He Was A Great Man'
After retiring, Hogan opened the bar in Florida.
After his retirement, Hogan returned to his Tampa-area roots and opened Hogan's Hangout, right on the beach. On Thursday, after news of his death spread, fans flocked to the restaurant to share a drink and a story.
A life-size bobblehead of the Hulkster in his famous pose became a makeshift memorial, and random visitors throughout the day left flowers at its base.
Outside the bar, Hogan's WWE theme song blared from a nearby beachgoer.
Every so often, a spontaneous chant of "Hogan-Hogan-Hogan" would erupt among diners. Outside, Hogan's WWE theme song blared from a nearby beachgoer.
A hostess told RadarOnline.com there are no plans yet for a formal memorial celebration and added: "He was great. He was a great man. We are all shocked here. No one expected this to happen."
'The Greatest Wrestler Of All Time'
Hogan suffered cardiac arrest.
Many patrons inside the restaurant remembered Hogan fondly but couldn't avoid some of the many scandals that plagued him late in his life.
One person shared: "This is my childhood, you know? I lost a piece of my childhood today. I used to dress up as the Hulk when I was a kid, you know? Like, the underwear and everything. He was my hero."
Another added: "It’s rough. It's been a rough day. I don’t care about his tapes, or his wife or any of that. Today is a day to remember the greatest wrestler of all time."
In 2012, Hogan was "devastated" by the release of a sex tape featuring him and Heather Clem, the former wife of radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge.
The Hall of Famer was 71 years old.
As Radar has previously reported, the tape was made without Hogan's knowledge more than six years earlier, while he was still married to his now ex-wife, Linda.
Gawker released a clip of the video, its scandalous aftermath led to a brutal feud between the former friends. Hogan filed a lawsuit against both Bubba and Heather before eventually settling with Bubba later that year.
Diners had their say about the scandal, with one saying: "It’s a shame that Hulk’s legacy is gonna be some sex tapes. That was stupid. He should have just said sorry and moved on. Guess it’s too late now."
While another blasted the radio host: "Bubba stabbed him in the back. The two were supposed to be friends? Who does something like that to their friend? Screw you, Bubba."
Hulk's Death
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Hulk Hogan died aged 71 following a 'cardiac arrest' at home.
On July 24, the WWE icon suffered cardiac arrest at his Florida mansion and died at the age of 71.
Following a 911 call, police told RadarOnline.com in a statement: "Clearwater Fire Department and Clearwater Police Department personnel responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. today in the 1000 block of Eldorado Avenue on Clearwater Beach.
"The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest. A 71-year-old resident, Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased."
Hours after his death, RadarOnline.com obtained exclusive photos outside Hogan's home – which was blocked off by crime scene tape and surrounded with police.
Yellow caution tape and police was seen outside the Florida home.
